2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Macomb Community College
Warren, MI

Leading the list is Macomb Community College, our #1 best value for social work in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Henry Ford Community College
Dearborn, MI

Henry Ford Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $36,247 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

A rank of #3 makes Oakland Community College one of the best values for social work. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $15,865. Social Work graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $43,205 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH

Sinclair Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Social Work graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $35,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Ohio University Southern Campus
Ironton, OH

Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at Ohio University Southern Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Ironton, Ohio University Southern Campus is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,362, while out-of-state students pay about $9,444. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $23,570. Early-career social work graduates make about $37,990. That is a strong return on a $23,570 median debt.

6

Indiana University South Bend
South Bend, IN

Indiana University South Bend earned the #6 position for value in social work this year. Located in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,263 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $43,064. Set against $24,263 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.

7

Ohio University Zanesville Campus
Zanesville, OH

Ohio University Zanesville Campus placed #7 among the best values for social work. Set in the town of Zanesville, Ohio University Zanesville Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,362, compared with $9,444 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $23,570. Social Work graduates of Ohio University Zanesville Campus earn a median of $37,990 early in their careers. Set against $23,570 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College
Blue Ash, OH

University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College placed #8 among the best values for social work. Located in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,904. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $24,075. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College generally make around $42,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

James A Rhodes State College
Lima, OH

James A Rhodes State College earned the #9 position for value in social work this year. Set in the rural area of Lima, James A Rhodes State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $9,120. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $17,070. Social Work graduates of James A Rhodes State College earn a median of $47,074 early in their careers. Set against $17,070 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Ohio University Chillicothe Campus
Chillicothe, OH

Ohio University Chillicothe Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the town of Chillicothe, Ohio University Chillicothe Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,362, while out-of-state students pay about $9,444. Social Work graduates carry a median of $23,570 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $37,990. That is a strong return on a $23,570 median debt.

11

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #11 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $16,473. Social Work graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $44,292 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,473 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

12

Indiana University Northwest
Gary, IN

Indiana University Northwest landed the #12 spot for social work value this year. Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gary. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Social Work graduates carry a median of $30,924 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Indiana University Northwest earn a median of $43,776 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,924 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.

13

University Of Cincinnati Clermont College
Batavia, OH

University Of Cincinnati Clermont College placed #13 among the best values for social work. University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public school located in the suburb of Batavia. In-state tuition and fees average $6,639, compared with $13,871 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,075 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Clermont College generally make around $39,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Clark State Community College
Springfield, OH

Clark State Community College landed the #14 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,393, with out-of-state students paying around $8,049. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,631 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $29,981. Set against $25,631 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Lakeland Community College
Kirtland, OH

Lakeland Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,872 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,235 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $19,857. Social Work graduates of Lakeland Community College earn a median of $51,941 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

Purdue University Northwest
Hammond, IN

Purdue University Northwest earned the #16 position for value in social work this year. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Students borrow a median of $25,083 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $51,424. Set against $25,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

17

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

University Of Illinois At Springfield landed the #17 spot for social work value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $24,810 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $38,707. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.

18

Owens Community College
Perrysburg, OH

Owens Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Owens Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Perrysburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,870, compared with $10,502 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $19,383 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $45,785. Set against $19,383 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Vincennes University
Vincennes, IN

Vincennes University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Vincennes University is a very large public school located in the town of Vincennes. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,126, compared with $16,858 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $45,976. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt.

20

Washington State Community College
Marietta, OH

Washington State Community College earned the #20 position for value in social work this year. Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marietta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,128, with out-of-state students paying around $4,152. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $16,291. Social Work graduates of Washington State Community College earn a median of $45,305 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #21 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $51,727 early in their careers. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

22

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University placed #22 among the best values for social work. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $29,850. Social Work graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $39,641 early in their careers. Set against $29,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

23

Stark State College
North Canton, OH

Stark State College placed #23 among the best values for social work. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,177 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,177 median debt.

24

University Of Akron Wayne College
Orrville, OH

University Of Akron Wayne College earned the #24 position for value in social work this year. University Of Akron Wayne College is a small public school located in the rural area of Orrville. Students from in state pay about $7,723 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,403. Social Work graduates carry a median of $21,669 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Akron Wayne College generally make around $36,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

25

Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Social Work graduates carry a median of $33,983 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $48,182. Set against $33,983 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.