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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value social work schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the social work degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is College Of Southern Idaho, our #1 best value for social work in Idaho. Located in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, compared with $6,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,175 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $39,099. Set against $11,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Social Work graduates carry a median of $14,460 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $29,355. That is a strong return on a $14,460 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Western Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,446, compared with $7,454 for out-of-state students. 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.
A rank of #4 makes North Idaho College one of the best values for social work. North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Coeur d'Alene. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,396, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,296 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from North Idaho College generally make around $49,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lewis Clark State College earned it the #5 place for social work. Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lewiston. In-state tuition and fees average $7,610, with out-of-state students paying around $22,028. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $26,126. 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.
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Idaho State University came in at #6 for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,610, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Social Work graduates carry a median of $33,250 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $41,541. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Boise State University placed #7 among the best values for social work. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,048, with out-of-state students paying around $27,788. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $28,350. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $47,916. That is a strong return on a $28,350 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Northwest Nazarene University landed the #8 spot for social work value this year. Set in the suburb of Nampa, Northwest Nazarene University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,824. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,562 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $49,137. That is a strong return on a $27,562 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
The ranking above is published 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.