2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in Massachusetts

1

Bristol Community College
Fall River, MA

Bristol Community College earned the #1 spot for value among social work schools in Massachusetts. Set in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,832, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,433 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $37,897. Set against $6,433 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater, MA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bridgewater State University earned it the #2 place for social work. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $51,697. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, MA

University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,947. Early-career social work graduates make about $45,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.

4

Salem State University
Salem, MA

Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at Salem State University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,000. Early-career social work graduates make about $52,651. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

5

Westfield State University
Westfield, MA

Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at Westfield State University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,179, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $47,739. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.

6

University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA

University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #6 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $53,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

7

College Of Our Lady Of The Elms
Chicopee, MA

College Of Our Lady Of The Elms earned the #7 position for value in social work this year. Set in the suburb of Chicopee, College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,325. Social Work graduates carry a median of $31,682 in student loans. Social Work graduates of College Of Our Lady Of The Elms earn a median of $40,161 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

8

Smith College
Northampton, MA

Smith College earned the #8 position for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,178. Students borrow a median of $18,941 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Smith College earn a median of $53,525 early in their careers. Set against $18,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.

9

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University earned the #9 position for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $25,232. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $57,991. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.

10

Simmons College
Boston, MA

Simmons College came in at #10 for value in social work this year. Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,874. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,000. Early-career social work graduates make about $45,268. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

11

Regis College
Weston, MA

Regis College placed #11 among the best values for social work. Set in the suburb of Weston, Regis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $49,680 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,441. Social Work graduates of Regis College earn a median of $69,483 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

12

Springfield College
Springfield, MA

Springfield College earned the #12 position for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,974 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,151. Social Work graduates of Springfield College earn a median of $57,311 early in their careers. Set against $27,151 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

13

Anna Maria College
Paxton, MA

Anna Maria College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Anna Maria College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Paxton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,571. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Anna Maria College generally make around $57,125. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Anna Maria College admits about 50% of applicants.

14

Lesley University
Cambridge, MA

Lesley University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,256. Social Work graduates carry a median of $24,818 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Lesley University earn a median of $48,287 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lesley University admits about 97% of applicants.

15

Merrimack College
North Andover, MA

Merrimack College landed the #15 spot for social work value this year. Set in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,962. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $26,913. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Merrimack College generally make around $50,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Merrimack College admits about 70% of applicants.

16

Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College placed #16 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,702. Social Work graduates carry a median of $18,101 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Boston College generally make around $56,920. That is a strong return on a $18,101 median debt. Boston College admits about 16% of applicants.