2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania

1

Bucks County Community College
Newtown, PA

For return on investment in social work, no school beat Bucks County Community College this year. Set in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $13,068 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $37,711. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Reading Area Community College
Reading, PA

Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at Reading Area Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,480, compared with $12,510 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,725 to complete the social work program here. 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.

3

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg, PA

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,416 ten years after entry. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

4

Northampton County Area Community College
Bethlehem, PA

A rank of #4 makes Northampton County Area Community College one of the best values for social work. Located in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $17,500. Social Work graduates of Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of $35,960 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt.

5

Pennsylvania Western University
California, PA

A rank of #5 makes Pennsylvania Western University one of the best values for social work. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $47,295 ten years out. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.

6

Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg
Harrisburg, PA

Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg came in at #6 for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,472 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $20,867. Social Work graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of $41,382 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania
East Stroudsburg, PA

East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earned the #7 position for value in social work this year. Located in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,236 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,202. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $32,208. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

8

Community College Of Allegheny County
Pittsburgh, PA

Community College Of Allegheny County earned the #8 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $15,263. Early-career social work graduates make about $47,420. That is a strong return on a $15,263 median debt.

9

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, PA

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned the #9 position for value in social work this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $32,316 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

10

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PA

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 78%.

11

Carlow University
Pittsburgh, PA

Carlow University earned the #11 position for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,874. Social Work graduates carry a median of $30,222 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Carlow University generally make around $66,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carlow University admits about 87% of applicants.

12

Millersville University Of Pennsylvania
Millersville, PA

Millersville University Of Pennsylvania ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,937. Early-career social work graduates make about $41,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.

13

Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania
Kutztown, PA

Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earned the #13 position for value in social work this year. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,206, compared with $16,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,624 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $43,122 early in their careers. Set against $26,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

14

Marywood University
Scranton, PA

Marywood University landed the #14 spot for social work value this year. Located in the city of Scranton, Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,420. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,744 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $49,452. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marywood University admits about 61% of applicants.

15

La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA

La Salle University landed the #15 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,800. Students borrow a median of $33,206 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $37,453. Set against $33,206 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.

16

Lancaster Bible College
Lancaster, PA

Lancaster Bible College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Lancaster Bible College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,990. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $35,235. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Lancaster Bible College admits about 56% of applicants.

17

Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania
Shippensburg, PA

Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #17 spot for social work value this year. Located in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,570, with out-of-state students paying around $15,824. Students borrow a median of $26,982 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $43,037. Set against $26,982 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.

18

Eastern University
Saint Davids, PA

Eastern University came in at #18 for value in social work this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Davids, Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $36,308. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern University admits about 91% of applicants.

19

Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University landed the #19 spot for social work value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $45,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.

20

Alvernia University
Reading, PA

Alvernia University placed #20 among the best values for social work. Alvernia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Reading. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,000. Social Work graduates carry a median of $41,574 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $53,960. Set against $41,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #21 position for value in social work this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $24,000. Early-career social work graduates make about $47,518. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

22

Widener University Main Campus
Chester, PA

Widener University Main Campus landed the #22 spot for social work value this year. Set in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $55,730 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Widener University Main Campus generally make around $55,609. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

23

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania came in at #23 for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Social Work graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Social Work graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $74,896 early in their careers. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

24

Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA

Bryn Mawr College earned the #24 position for value in social work this year. Bryn Mawr College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr. In-state tuition and fees average $65,920. Social Work graduates carry a median of $23,069 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Bryn Mawr College generally make around $49,002. Set against $23,069 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bryn Mawr College admits about 29% of applicants.