2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in New Jersey

1

Camden County College
Blackwood, NJ

Leading the list is Camden County College, our #1 best value for social work in New Jersey. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Essex County College
Newark, NJ

Essex County College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $12,472 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $37,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Cumberland County College
Vineland, NJ

Cumberland County College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Cumberland County College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Vineland. 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. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Cumberland County College generally make around $37,250. That is a strong return on a $15,803 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, compared with $10,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,458 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $37,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Hudson County Community College
Jersey City, NJ

Hudson County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #5 spot this year. Hudson County Community College is a large public school located in the city of Jersey City. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $10,671 median debt.

6

Passaic County Community College
Paterson, NJ

Passaic County Community College came in at #6 for value in social work this year. Located in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,300, compared with $10,560 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $9,581. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Passaic County Community College generally make around $28,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Ocean County College
Toms River, NJ

Ocean County College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,906, compared with $6,970 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $13,792 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Ocean County College earn a median of $41,306 early in their careers. Set against $13,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Kean University
Union, NJ

Kean University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

9

Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ

Montclair State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the social work program here. 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. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.

10

Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus
Teaneck, NJ

Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus came in at #10 for value in social work this year. 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. Social Work graduates carry a median of $24,770 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus generally make around $54,505. That is a strong return on a $24,770 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

11

Rutgers University Camden
Camden, NJ

Rutgers University Camden earned the #11 position for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $17,764 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,276. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Rutgers University Camden earn a median of $47,081 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.

12

Centenary College
Hackettstown, NJ

Centenary College landed the #12 spot for social work value this year. Centenary College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hackettstown. Students from in state pay about $37,732 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $20,476. Early-career social work graduates make about $46,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.

13

Rutgers University Newark
Newark, NJ

Rutgers University Newark landed the #13 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,250, compared with $36,762 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Rutgers University Newark earn a median of $47,081 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

14

The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey
Galloway, NJ

The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey placed #14 among the best values for social work. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the rural area of Galloway. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,266, with out-of-state students paying around $24,524. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $44,545. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey admits about 89% of applicants.

15

Georgian Court University
Lakewood, NJ

Georgian Court University landed the #15 spot for social work value this year. Located in the city of Lakewood, Georgian Court University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,110. Social Work graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $38,530. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgian Court University admits about 79% of applicants.

16

Ramapo College Of New Jersey
Mahwah, NJ

Ramapo College Of New Jersey landed the #16 spot for social work value this year. Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Mahwah. In-state tuition and fees average $16,777, while out-of-state students pay about $27,708. Social Work graduates carry a median of $24,491 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $40,113. That is a strong return on a $24,491 median debt. Ramapo College Of New Jersey admits about 71% of applicants.

17

Rutgers University New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ

Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #17 position for value in social work this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $67,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

18

Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ

Seton Hall University came in at #18 for value in social work this year. Located in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,170. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $25,721. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Seton Hall University generally make around $49,824. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.

19

Monmouth University
West Long Branch, NJ

Monmouth University earned the #19 position for value in social work this year. Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Long Branch. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,552. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Monmouth University generally make around $51,318. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Monmouth University admits about 89% of applicants.