2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in New York

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value social work schools in New York. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $51,407. Set against $9,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

2

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

A rank of #2 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for social work. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $12,690 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $52,676. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.

3

Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY

Cuny York College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. In-state tuition and fees average $7,358, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.

4

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny College Of Staten Island earned it the #4 place for social work. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Social Work graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $45,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

5

Cuny Medgar Evers College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Medgar Evers College came in at #5 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,352, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. Social Work graduates carry a median of $15,096 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $44,311. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

6

Suny College At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

Suny College At Buffalo placed #6 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,533, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $39,695 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

7

Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY

Mercy College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $22,880. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Mercy College generally make around $39,373. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mercy College admits about 86% of applicants.

8

Suny College At Brockport
Brockport, NY

Suny College At Brockport came in at #8 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,822. Students borrow a median of $23,354 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Suny College At Brockport earn a median of $44,947 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.

9

Suny At Fredonia
Fredonia, NY

Suny At Fredonia ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,831, compared with $19,771 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,340 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Suny At Fredonia generally make around $28,723. That is a strong return on a $24,340 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

10

Suny College At Plattsburgh
Plattsburgh, NY

Suny College At Plattsburgh came in at #10 for value in social work this year. Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Plattsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,035, while out-of-state students pay about $18,945. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $23,990. Early-career social work graduates make about $24,676. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Plattsburgh admits about 78% of applicants.

11

Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University placed #11 among the best values for social work. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $23,981. Social Work graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $51,751 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,981 median debt. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.

12

Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany placed #12 among the best values for social work. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $43,129. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

13

Saint Josephs College New York
Brooklyn, NY

Saint Josephs College New York earned the #13 position for value in social work this year. Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,550. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $25,485. Social Work graduates of Saint Josephs College New York earn a median of $49,214 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

14

Niagara University
Niagara University, NY

Niagara University placed #14 among the best values for social work. Located in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,345. Students borrow a median of $26,208 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Niagara University earn a median of $51,918 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,208 median debt. Niagara University admits about 87% of applicants.

15

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Social Work graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $59,891. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.

16

Daemen College
Amherst, NY

Daemen College came in at #16 for value in social work this year. Located in the suburb of Amherst, Daemen College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,218. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Daemen College earn a median of $49,949 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.

17

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo placed #17 among the best values for social work. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Social Work graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $50,711. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.

18

Suny At Binghamton
Vestal, NY

Suny At Binghamton ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Students borrow a median of $20,691 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $52,793. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.

19

Long Island University C W Post Campus
Brookville, NY

Long Island University C W Post Campus came in at #19 for value in social work this year. Located in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,432. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,211 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $52,113. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

20

Roberts Wesleyan College
Rochester, NY

Roberts Wesleyan College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Roberts Wesleyan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,826. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $26,596. Social Work graduates of Roberts Wesleyan College earn a median of $43,094 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roberts Wesleyan College admits about 71% of applicants.

21

Keuka College
Keuka Park, NY

Keuka College came in at #21 for value in social work this year. Set in the town of Keuka Park, Keuka College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,332. Students borrow a median of $40,593 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Keuka College earn a median of $45,760 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $40,593 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

22

Touro College
New York, NY

Touro College came in at #22 for value in social work this year. Touro College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,052. Social Work graduates carry a median of $20,285 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $58,117. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Touro College admits about 61% of applicants.

23

Iona College
New Rochelle, NY

Iona College earned the #23 position for value in social work this year. Set in the suburb of New Rochelle, Iona College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $47,260 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,749 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $51,530. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Iona College admits about 87% of applicants.

24

Adelphi University
Garden City, NY

Adelphi University earned the #24 position for value in social work this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,775. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Adelphi University generally make around $55,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.

25

Nazareth College
Rochester, NY

Nazareth College landed the #25 spot for social work value this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Nazareth College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,210. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $44,934. That is a strong return on a $26,250 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.