2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in Colorado

[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value social work schools.
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2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in Colorado
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the social work degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Social Work Schools
Colorado State University Pueblo earned the #1 spot for value among social work schools in Colorado. Located in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,720, with out-of-state students paying around $17,944. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $28,785. Social Work graduates of Colorado State University Pueblo earn a median of $39,742 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at Metropolitan State College Of Denver, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,124, with out-of-state students paying around $30,684. Social Work graduates carry a median of $29,578 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $47,882. That is a strong return on a $29,578 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
A rank of #3 makes Mesa State College one of the best values for social work. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. Students from in state pay about $9,927 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $42,254. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #4 spot 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. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs generally make around $52,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs admits about 97% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #5 spot this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. 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.
University Of Denver came in at #6 for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,398. Social Work graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Denver generally make around $51,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Denver admits about 78% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.