2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

For return on investment in social work, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $9,608. Social Work graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,407 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.

2

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #2 place for social work. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. 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 $52,676. That is a strong return on a $12,690 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.

3

Camden County College
Blackwood, NJ

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Camden County College earned it the #3 place for social work. Set in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $4,416. Students borrow a median of $9,219 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Camden County College earn a median of $24,616 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,219 median debt.

4

Brookdale Community College
Lincroft, NJ

Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at Brookdale Community College, which ranked #4. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,270, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Students borrow a median of $12,458 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Brookdale Community College earn a median of $37,374 early in their careers. Set against $12,458 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

Cuny College Of Staten Island is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. 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. Early-career social work graduates make about $45,172. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.

6

Cuny Medgar Evers College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Medgar Evers College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,352, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $15,096. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Cuny Medgar Evers College generally make around $44,311. That is a strong return on a $15,096 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

7

Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY

Cuny York College placed #7 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $52,381. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.

8

Cumberland County College
Vineland, NJ

Cumberland County College placed #8 among the best values for social work. Set in the city of Vineland, Cumberland County College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,160 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,803 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $37,250. Set against $15,803 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Essex County College
Newark, NJ

Essex County College earned the #9 position for value in social work this year. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,415, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $12,472. Social Work graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $37,915 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Passaic County Community College
Paterson, NJ

Passaic County Community College landed the #10 spot for social work value this year. Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Paterson. In-state tuition and fees average $6,300, with out-of-state students paying around $10,560. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $9,581. Social Work graduates of Passaic County Community College earn a median of $28,957 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Hudson County Community College
Jersey City, NJ

Hudson County Community College placed #11 among the best values for social work. Set in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,384, with out-of-state students paying around $9,248. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $10,671. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Hudson County Community College generally make around $35,909. Set against $10,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Bucks County Community College
Newtown, PA

Bucks County Community College earned the #12 position for value in social work this year. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $13,926. Students borrow a median of $13,068 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $37,711. That is a strong return on a $13,068 median debt.

13

Coppin State University
Baltimore, MD

Coppin State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the city of Baltimore, Coppin State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,100 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,024 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $28,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Coppin State University generally make around $37,612. Set against $28,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

14

Reading Area Community College
Reading, PA

Reading Area Community College earned the #14 position for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,480, while out-of-state students pay about $12,510. Social Work graduates carry a median of $11,725 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Reading Area Community College earn a median of $49,248 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Ocean County College
Toms River, NJ

Ocean County College placed #15 among the best values for social work. Located in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,906 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,970. Social Work graduates carry a median of $13,792 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Ocean County College generally make around $41,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ

Montclair State University landed the #16 spot for social work value this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $42,925. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

17

Northampton County Area Community College
Bethlehem, PA

Northampton County Area Community College landed the #17 spot for social work value this year. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, compared with $15,270 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of $35,960 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Kean University
Union, NJ

Kean University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Students borrow a median of $26,703 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Kean University earn a median of $50,074 early in their careers. Set against $26,703 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.

19

Suny College At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

Suny College At Buffalo came in at #19 for value in social work this year. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Students borrow a median of $23,312 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $39,695. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.

20

Cecil College
North East, MD

Cecil College placed #20 among the best values for social work. Set in the rural area of North East, Cecil College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,830 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,952.

21

Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY

Mercy College came in at #21 for value in social work this year. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $26,000. Social Work graduates of Mercy College earn a median of $39,373 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

22

Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University placed #22 among the best values for social work. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,084, compared with $22,174 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $23,552. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Salisbury University generally make around $43,425. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

23

Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus
Teaneck, NJ

Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,010 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $24,770. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus generally make around $54,505. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

24

Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg
Harrisburg, PA

Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg placed #24 among the best values for social work. Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public school located in the city of Harrisburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,975, while out-of-state students pay about $12,472. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $20,867. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg generally make around $41,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Suny College At Brockport
Brockport, NY

Suny College At Brockport earned the #25 position for value in social work this year. Set in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,752, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Social Work graduates carry a median of $23,354 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $44,947. That is a strong return on a $23,354 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.