by our College Data Analytics Team
[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 864 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value social work schools.
What’s on this page:
Where you study social work affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Social Work Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Social Work Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social work, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in social work, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $9,608. Early-career social work graduates make about $51,407. Set against $9,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #2 place for social work. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $51,173. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Dominguez Hills earned it the #3 place for social work. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $66,121. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for social work. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $64,167. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Social Work graduates carry a median of $12,690 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $52,676 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
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California State University San Bernardino placed #6 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $13,018 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $53,312. Set against $13,018 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #7 for value in social work this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $67,567. Set against $14,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #8 position for value in social work this year. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Students borrow a median of $26,631 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $35,345. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #9 position for value in social work this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Fresno came in at #10 for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $48,430 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Tulsa Community College landed the #11 spot for social work value this year. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Students borrow a median of $10,038 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $41,718. That is a strong return on a $10,038 median debt.
California State University Northridge placed #12 among the best values for social work. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $12,449 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $49,320. Set against $12,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $11,276. Early-career social work graduates make about $54,899. Set against $11,276 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Bristol Community College came in at #14 for value in social work this year. Set in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,832 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $6,433. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $37,897. Set against $6,433 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Camden County College placed #15 among the best values for social work. Camden County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blackwood. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $4,416. Students borrow a median of $9,219 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Camden County College generally make around $24,616. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College landed the #16 spot for social work value this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,227 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $18,336. That is a strong return on a $6,227 median debt.
Austin Community College District landed the #17 spot for social work value this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $17,922. Early-career social work graduates make about $34,003. That is a strong return on a $17,922 median debt.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College came in at #18 for value in social work this year. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rome. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Social Work graduates carry a median of $8,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Georgia Northwestern Technical College generally make around $41,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $45,172. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Macomb Community College placed #20 among the best values for social work. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $9,862. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. That is a strong return on a $9,862 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville earned the #21 position for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,148 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,948 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $10,550 in student loans. Social Work graduates of The University Of Texas At Brownsville earn a median of $30,343 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Medgar Evers College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,352, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. Students borrow a median of $15,096 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Cuny Medgar Evers College generally make around $44,311. Set against $15,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Southern Regional Technical College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thomasville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,007, while out-of-state students pay about $5,575. Social Work graduates carry a median of $9,086 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Southern Regional Technical College earn a median of $44,007 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Itawamba Community College landed the #24 spot for social work value this year. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,420, with out-of-state students paying around $5,820. Social Work graduates carry a median of $10,942 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Itawamba Community College generally make around $40,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny York College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,358, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $52,381. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.
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These institutions also earned high marks for social work value:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #51 | Miracosta College | Oceanside, CA | Full Report |
| #52 | University Of Washington Tacoma Campus | Tacoma, WA | Full Report |
| #53 | San Juan College | Farmington, NM | Full Report |
| #54 | Ohio University Southern Campus | Ironton, OH | Full Report |
| #55 | New Mexico State University Main Campus | Las Cruces, NM | Full Report |
| #56 | Indiana University South Bend | South Bend, IN | Full Report |
| #57 | Florida International University | Miami, FL | Full Report |
| #58 | El Paso Community College | El Paso, TX | Full Report |
| #59 | Ohio University Zanesville Campus | Zanesville, OH | Full Report |
| #60 | Brigham Young University Idaho | Rexburg, ID | Full Report |
| #61 | Athens Technical College | Athens, GA | Full Report |
| #62 | University Of Nevada Las Vegas | Las Vegas, NV | Full Report |
| #63 | College Of Western Idaho | Nampa, ID | Full Report |
These schools earned honorable mentions for value in social work:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Social Work. Browse the parent area of study.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Social Work | 37,163 |
| Social Work, Other | 291 |
| Youth Services/Administration | 152 |
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 864 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 419 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.