2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southeast Region

1

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

For return on investment in social work, no school beat Florida Atlantic University this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Social Work graduates carry a median of $19,695 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $39,912. Set against $19,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

2

Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Rome, GA

A rank of #2 makes Georgia Northwestern Technical College one of the best values for social work. Set in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,868. Social Work graduates carry a median of $8,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Georgia Northwestern Technical College generally make around $41,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Itawamba Community College
Fulton, MS

Itawamba Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,420, with out-of-state students paying around $5,820. Students borrow a median of $10,942 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $40,832. That is a strong return on a $10,942 median debt.

4

Southern Regional Technical College
Thomasville, GA

Southern Regional Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,007, with out-of-state students paying around $5,575. Social Work graduates carry a median of $9,086 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Southern Regional Technical College earn a median of $44,007 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

The University Of West Florida
Pensacola, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of West Florida earned it the #5 place for social work. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Social Work graduates carry a median of $17,373 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $36,573. That is a strong return on a $17,373 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.

6

Holmes Community College
Goodman, MS

Holmes Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,710, with out-of-state students paying around $6,610. Students borrow a median of $10,831 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Holmes Community College generally make around $32,145. That is a strong return on a $10,831 median debt.

7

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University earned the #7 position for value in social work this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $18,800 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $41,626 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.

8

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida came in at #8 for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $13,029 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $49,208. Set against $13,029 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.

9

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $21,875. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $43,978. Set against $21,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

10

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University landed the #10 spot for social work value this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $15,193. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $37,177. Set against $15,193 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.

11

Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas
Helena, AR

Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas placed #11 among the best values for social work. Set in the town of Helena, Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,380, while out-of-state students pay about $4,550. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $5,500. Early-career social work graduates make about $45,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University earned the #12 position for value in social work this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $28,906 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $42,361. That is a strong return on a $28,906 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.

13

East Mississippi Community College
Scooba, MS

East Mississippi Community College placed #13 among the best values for social work. East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Scooba. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,095, with out-of-state students paying around $7,445. Students borrow a median of $9,422 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of East Mississippi Community College earn a median of $34,012 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Athens Technical College
Athens, GA

Athens Technical College came in at #14 for value in social work this year. Athens Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,390, compared with $5,958 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Athens Technical College generally make around $41,631. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.

15

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida placed #15 among the best values for social work. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $22,375 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $41,483 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

16

Dalton State College
Dalton, GA

Dalton State College placed #16 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,336, with out-of-state students paying around $10,656. Students borrow a median of $14,955 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Dalton State College earn a median of $41,654 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,955 median debt.

17

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #17 position for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $49,662 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.

18

Coahoma Community College
Clarksdale, MS

Coahoma Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Clarksdale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,490. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $11,745. Early-career social work graduates make about $29,600. That is a strong return on a $11,745 median debt.

19

Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #19 spot for social work value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $18,837 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $45,605. That is a strong return on a $18,837 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #20 for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $39,033 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

21

Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University earned the #21 position for value in social work this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $33,575. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

22

Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,000. Early-career social work graduates make about $40,417. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

23

Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City, NC

Elizabeth City State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,536, with out-of-state students paying around $10,536. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $25,467. Social Work graduates of Elizabeth City State University earn a median of $28,300 early in their careers. Set against $25,467 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.

24

The University Of Tennessee Martin
Martin, TN

The University Of Tennessee Martin ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,653 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $34,240. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

25

Murray State University
Murray, KY

Murray State University earned the #25 position for value in social work this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $31,692. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.