2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in California

1

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Our analysis ranked California State University Los Angeles the best value for a degree in social work in California. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $11,000. Early-career social work graduates make about $51,173. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

2

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $66,121. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

3

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $64,167 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

4

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

A rank of #4 makes California State University Stanislaus one of the best values for social work. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Social Work graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $67,567. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

5

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

A rank of #5 makes California State University San Bernardino one of the best values for social work. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $13,018. Early-career social work graduates make about $53,312. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

6

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield came in at #6 for value in social work this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 94%.

7

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno came in at #7 for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $48,430. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

8

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach landed the #8 spot for social work value this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Social Work graduates carry a median of $11,276 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $54,899. Set against $11,276 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

9

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge came in at #9 for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $12,449. Social Work graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $49,320 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

10

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento came in at #10 for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $18,000. Early-career social work graduates make about $51,629. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.

11

Miracosta College
Oceanside, CA

Miracosta College placed #11 among the best values for social work. Set in the suburb of Oceanside, Miracosta College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,158 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,750. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,845 ten years after entry.

12

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay came in at #12 for value in social work this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Social Work graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $81,059. That is a strong return on a $18,073 median debt. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.

13

California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $17,527. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $62,668. Set against $17,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

14

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University earned the #14 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $17,259 in student loans. Social Work graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $70,887 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

15

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #16 for value in social work this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $16,097. Early-career social work graduates make about $65,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

17

Humboldt State University
Arcata, CA

Humboldt State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,397, with out-of-state students paying around $20,997. Students borrow a median of $23,286 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $47,956. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.

18

Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA

Fresno Pacific University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,660 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $25,000. Early-career social work graduates make about $40,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fresno Pacific University admits about 64% of applicants.

19

California State University Monterey Bay
Seaside, CA

California State University Monterey Bay earned the #19 position for value in social work this year. Located in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,779 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,379 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $14,622. Social Work graduates of California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of $71,186 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,622 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.

20

California State University Chico
Chico, CA

California State University Chico ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,472, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $17,000. Early-career social work graduates make about $49,751. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

21

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley came in at #21 for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Students borrow a median of $13,719 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $58,587 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,719 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.

22

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University landed the #22 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $15,176 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $49,447. That is a strong return on a $15,176 median debt. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.

23

Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA

Azusa Pacific University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,458. Social Work graduates carry a median of $24,643 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $47,351. Set against $24,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

24

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University came in at #24 for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,228. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $28,169. Early-career social work graduates make about $62,331. Set against $28,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.

25

World Mission University
Los Angeles, CA

World Mission University placed #25 among the best values for social work. World Mission University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $6,920 in tuition and fees.