by our College Data Analytics Team
[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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:
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 Tulsa Community College this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $10,038. Early-career social work graduates make about $41,718. Set against $10,038 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bristol Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #2 spot this year. Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fall River. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,832, with out-of-state students paying around $10,776. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $6,433. Early-career social work graduates make about $37,897. Set against $6,433 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Camden County College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $4,416. Social Work graduates carry a median of $9,219 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Camden County College generally make around $24,616. That is a strong return on a $9,219 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #4 place for social work. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $6,227 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $18,336. That is a strong return on a $6,227 median debt.
Macomb Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Social Work graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Austin Community College District landed the #6 spot for social work value this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,922 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $34,003. That is a strong return on a $17,922 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville placed #7 among the best values for social work. The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public school located in the city of Brownsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,148, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Social Work graduates carry a median of $10,550 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $30,343. That is a strong return on a $10,550 median debt.
Southern Regional Technical College placed #8 among the best values for social work. Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thomasville. Students from in state pay about $3,007 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,575. Students borrow a median of $9,086 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $44,007. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Itawamba Community College landed the #9 spot for social work value this year. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,420 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,942 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $40,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College earned the #10 position for value in social work this year. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $43,205. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brookdale Community College earned the #11 position for value in social work this year. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,270, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $12,458. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $37,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Henry Ford Community College came in at #12 for value in social work this year. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $18,876. Social Work graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $36,247 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,876 median debt.
El Centro College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $31,701. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinclair Community College landed the #14 spot for social work value this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Capital Community College landed the #15 spot for social work value this year. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,338, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $29,555 early in their careers. Set against $12,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Rhode Island placed #16 among the best values for social work. Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public school located in the city of Warwick. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, compared with $14,834 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $13,940 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $39,680. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Snow College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Snow College earn a median of $42,776 early in their careers. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cumberland County College landed the #18 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Vineland, Cumberland County College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,160, compared with $6,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,803 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Cumberland County College generally make around $37,250. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Truckee Meadows Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,352, with out-of-state students paying around $12,018. Social Work graduates carry a median of $12,290 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $52,785. Set against $12,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Holmes Community College placed #20 among the best values for social work. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,710, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $10,831. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Holmes Community College generally make around $32,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Essex County College came in at #21 for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,415, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,472 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $37,915 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,472 median debt.
Salt Lake Community College earned the #22 position for value in social work this year. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $10,855 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $42,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hudson County Community College came in at #23 for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,384 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,248. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $10,671. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Hudson County Community College generally make around $35,909. That is a strong return on a $10,671 median debt.
Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City earned the #24 position for value in social work this year. Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. In-state tuition and fees average $3,779, compared with $9,564 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $18,726 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $45,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Passaic County Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Paterson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,300, while out-of-state students pay about $10,560. Students borrow a median of $9,581 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $28,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
These schools also delivered strong value for social work this year:
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Explore the best-value social work schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, 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 23 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.