by our College Data Analytics Team
[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value social work schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social work, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in social work, no school beat Snow College this year. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $10,440. Social Work graduates of Snow College earn a median of $42,776 early in their careers. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Salt Lake Community College one of the best values for social work. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,426, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Students borrow a median of $10,855 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $42,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,855 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah Valley University earned it the #3 place for social work. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $20,000. Social Work graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $44,502 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Weber State University earned it the #4 place for social work. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. 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. That is a strong return on a $18,497 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Utah University earned it the #5 place for social work. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Social Work graduates carry a median of $12,886 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $44,998. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
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Utah State University came in at #6 for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Students borrow a median of $16,132 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $42,491. That is a strong return on a $16,132 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Utah ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. 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, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $15,038 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $47,076. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #8 spot for social work value 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. Social Work graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $52,074. That is a strong return on a $12,184 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
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 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.