by our College Data Analytics Team
[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 33 schools to find the best return on investment for social work students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the social work degrees they offer, see the list below.
Snow College tops our 2026 list of the best value social work schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Snow College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ephraim. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Social Work graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $42,776. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salt Lake Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $10,855. Early-career social work graduates make about $42,031. That is a strong return on a $10,855 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Southern Idaho earned it the #3 place for social work. College Of Southern Idaho is a large public school located in the city of Twin Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $6,840. Social Work graduates carry a median of $11,175 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $39,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Brigham Young University Idaho one of the best values for social work. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Students borrow a median of $14,460 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $29,355. That is a strong return on a $14,460 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
College Of Western Idaho came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,446 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,454. Students borrow a median of $12,497 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from College Of Western Idaho generally make around $40,963.
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Utah Valley University earned the #6 position for value in social work this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $44,502. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Casper College earned the #7 position for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Casper, Casper College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,410, with out-of-state students paying around $10,710. Social Work graduates carry a median of $12,598 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $49,729. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Weber State University placed #8 among the best values for social work. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $18,497. Social Work graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $42,754 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Utah University came in at #9 for value in social work this year. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,886 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Wyoming landed the #10 spot for social work value this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $22,033. Social Work graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $56,393 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,033 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
North Idaho College came in at #11 for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Coeur d'Alene, North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,396, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Social Work graduates carry a median of $20,296 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $49,489. Set against $20,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lewis Clark State College placed #12 among the best values for social work. Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lewiston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,610, with out-of-state students paying around $22,028. Students borrow a median of $26,126 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Lewis Clark State College generally make around $35,456. Set against $26,126 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lewis Clark State College admits about 88% of applicants.
Utah State University came in at #13 for value in social work this year. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Social Work graduates carry a median of $16,132 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $42,491. Set against $16,132 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Utah placed #14 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Students borrow a median of $15,038 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $47,076. Set against $15,038 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Pueblo landed the #15 spot for social work value this year. Located in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,720, while out-of-state students pay about $17,944. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $28,785. Early-career social work graduates make about $39,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver earned the #16 position for value in social work this year. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $29,578. Social Work graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $47,882 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #17 for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Students borrow a median of $12,184 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $52,074. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
Mesa State College came in at #18 for value in social work this year. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,927, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $42,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs came in at #19 for value in social work this year. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public school located in the city of Colorado Springs. Students from in state pay about $10,906 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,039. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $23,559. Social Work graduates of University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earn a median of $52,626 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,559 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Montana ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,552, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $25,000. Social Work graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of $39,199 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Idaho State University earned the #21 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,610, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $33,250. Social Work graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of $41,541 early in their careers. Set against $33,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Boise State University earned the #22 position for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,048 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,350 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $47,916. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #23 among the best values for social work. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $23,387. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $44,925. Set against $23,387 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Carroll College earned the #24 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Helena, Carroll College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,484 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,912 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Carroll College generally make around $40,797. Set against $24,912 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Northwest Nazarene University placed #25 among the best values for social work. Located in the suburb of Nampa, Northwest Nazarene University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,824. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,562. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Northwest Nazarene University generally make around $49,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
These schools also delivered strong value for social work this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.