2026 Best Value Social Work Master’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in social work in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $9,608 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $60,587. Set against $9,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

A rank of #2 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for social work. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $64,869. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

3

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. 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. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

4

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $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. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

5

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #5. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $12,690 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $63,051. That is a strong return on a $12,690 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.

6

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Social Work graduates carry a median of $13,018 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $67,479. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.

7

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus earned the #7 position for value in social work this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $14,813. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $67,567. That is a strong return on a $14,813 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

8

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield landed the #8 spot for social work value this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.

9

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $64,873. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

10

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,449 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $64,193. That is a strong return on a $12,449 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

11

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach landed the #11 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. 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 $66,873. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.

12

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #12 spot for social work value this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $14,688. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $59,322. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

13

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American placed #13 among the best values for social work. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $16,526 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $52,422 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,526 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.

14

Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY

Cuny York College placed #14 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,358, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $60,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

15

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento earned the #15 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $18,000. Social Work graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $65,967 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

16

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Utah Valley University landed the #16 spot for social work value this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Social Work graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,066 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt.

17

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Tacoma, WA

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus placed #17 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,168, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $17,396 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $61,696. Set against $17,396 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.

18

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $49,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #19 for value in social work this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Social Work graduates carry a median of $21,686 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $52,502. That is a strong return on a $21,686 median debt. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.

20

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay came in at #20 for value in social work this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $18,073. Social Work graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $81,059 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,073 median debt. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.

21

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University came in at #21 for value in social work this year. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Students borrow a median of $28,906 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $47,684. That is a strong return on a $28,906 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

22

California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos came in at #22 for value in social work this year. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $17,527. Early-career social work graduates make about $62,668. Set against $17,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

23

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. Social Work graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $50,498 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

24

Western New Mexico University
Silver City, NM

Western New Mexico University landed the #24 spot for social work value this year. Located in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,855 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,341. Social Work graduates carry a median of $35,448 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $55,907. Set against $35,448 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Rhode Island College
Providence, RI

Rhode Island College placed #25 among the best values for social work. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $24,100. Early-career social work graduates make about $54,937. That is a strong return on a $24,100 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.