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 34 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.
Henry Ford Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value social work schools in Michigan. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Students borrow a median of $18,876 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $36,247. That is a strong return on a $18,876 median debt.
Oakland Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. 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.
Macomb Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Ferris State University one of the best values for social work. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $45,333. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Oakland University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #5 spot this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $38,446. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
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University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #6 for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $52,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Flint placed #7 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,236 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $38,000. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $40,371. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Saginaw Valley State University came in at #8 for value in social work this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Social Work graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $45,007. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Wayne State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,012 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $44,954 early in their careers. Set against $28,012 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Central Michigan University earned the #10 position for value in social work this year. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $35,800. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Detroit Mercy came in at #11 for value in social work this year. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $32,946 in tuition and fees. Social Work graduates carry a median of $52,651 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Detroit Mercy generally make around $76,755. That is a strong return on a $52,651 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Grand Valley State University placed #12 among the best values for social work. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,000. Early-career social work graduates make about $43,789. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University earned the #13 position for value in social work this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $31,111. Social Work graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $45,709 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Northern Michigan University landed the #14 spot for social work value this year. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,322, while out-of-state students pay about $19,944. Students borrow a median of $24,301 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $36,513 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Madonna University placed #15 among the best values for social work. Set in the city of Livonia, Madonna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,440. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $25,597. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Madonna University generally make around $49,829. Set against $25,597 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University came in at #16 for value in social work this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $44,056. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Michigan State University came in at #17 for value in social work this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $26,169 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $42,640. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Andrews University earned the #18 position for value in social work this year. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,056. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $26,314. Social Work graduates of Andrews University earn a median of $45,360 early in their careers. Set against $26,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Spring Arbor University landed the #19 spot for social work value this year. Set in the rural area of Spring Arbor, Spring Arbor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,014. Students borrow a median of $29,893 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Spring Arbor University earn a median of $47,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,893 median debt. Spring Arbor University admits about 52% of applicants.
Calvin College earned the #20 position for value in social work this year. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Students from in state pay about $39,350 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,000. Early-career social work graduates make about $31,584. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Hope College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Holland. Students from in state pay about $39,484 in tuition and fees. Social Work graduates carry a median of $26,670 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $37,270. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Kuyper College came in at #22 for value in social work this year. Located in the suburb of Grand Rapids, Kuyper College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,660 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,066. Kuyper College admits about 69% of applicants.
This list is compiled 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.