2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois

1

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

University Of Illinois At Springfield earned the #1 spot for value among social work schools in Illinois. 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. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $24,810. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $38,707. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.

2

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $20,115. 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.

3

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

A rank of #3 makes Western Illinois University one of the best values for social work. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Social Work graduates carry a median of $29,850 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $39,641. Set against $29,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

4

Governors State University
University Park, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Governors State University earned it the #4 place for social work. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,004. Students borrow a median of $33,983 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $48,182 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $33,983 median debt. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.

5

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

A rank of #5 makes Northeastern Illinois University one of the best values for social work. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $17,500. Early-career social work graduates make about $42,588. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.

6

Chicago State University
Chicago, IL

Chicago State University earned the #6 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,754, compared with $12,757 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $43,322 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $48,031. That is a strong return on a $43,322 median debt. Chicago State University admits about 43% of applicants.

7

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #7 position for value in social work this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $19,344 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $43,709. That is a strong return on a $19,344 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

8

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #8 spot for social work value this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $25,000. Social Work graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $42,529 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.

9

Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Dominican University earned the #9 position for value in social work this year. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,828 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $52,605. Set against $26,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

10

National Louis University
Chicago, IL

National Louis University placed #10 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $13,245 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $29,242. Early-career social work graduates make about $37,205. Set against $29,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of St Francis
Joliet, IL

University Of St Francis landed the #11 spot for social work value this year. University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,110. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $47,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

12

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #12 for value in social work this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,000. Social Work graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $40,356 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago landed the #13 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $52,551. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.

14

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University came in at #14 for value in social work this year. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $49,271 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.

15

Saint Augustine College
Chicago, IL

Saint Augustine College earned the #15 position for value in social work this year. Saint Augustine College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,688. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $4,974. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Saint Augustine College generally make around $34,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University earned the #16 position for value in social work this year. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,170. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $44,596 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

17

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University earned the #17 position for value in social work this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $25,000. Early-career social work graduates make about $44,297. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

18

Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, IL

Olivet Nazarene University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,900. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $31,720. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.

19

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

Bradley University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,160. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $36,017. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bradley University admits about 77% of applicants.

20

Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois
Addison, IL

Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois earned the #20 position for value in social work this year. Located in the suburb of Addison, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,536 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $39,146. Early-career social work graduates make about $101,006. That is a strong return on a $39,146 median debt. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois admits about 83% of applicants.

21

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University came in at #21 for value in social work this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $25,310. Social Work graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $51,689 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,310 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

22

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago came in at #22 for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. Students borrow a median of $21,133 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $51,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,133 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.