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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong social work education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 18 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social work students.
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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 University Of North Alabama this year. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,120, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Social Work graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $36,948. That is a strong return on a $30,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
A rank of #2 makes Troy University one of the best values for social work. Set in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,176, with out-of-state students paying around $20,352. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Troy University generally make around $38,334. That is a strong return on a $30,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at Auburn University At Montgomery, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Montgomery, Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,700 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,668. Students borrow a median of $29,746 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Auburn University At Montgomery generally make around $44,249. Set against $29,746 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Alabama State University one of the best values for social work. Alabama State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Montgomery. In-state tuition and fees average $11,248, while out-of-state students pay about $19,576. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $39,593. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Alabama State University generally make around $37,420. Set against $39,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at Miles College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Miles College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,314. Social Work graduates carry a median of $35,881 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,627. That is a strong return on a $35,881 median debt.
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Alabama A And M University placed #6 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of Normal, Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $18,634. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $41,151. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Jacksonville State University placed #7 among the best values for social work. Jacksonville State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $12,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,334 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $26,342. Early-career social work graduates make about $37,884. Set against $26,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of South Alabama earned the #8 position for value in social work this year. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,116, while out-of-state students pay about $19,092. Social Work graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of South Alabama generally make around $33,771. Set against $30,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of Montevallo came in at #9 for value in social work this year. Set in the town of Montevallo, University Of Montevallo is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,948 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,968. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,500. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Montevallo generally make around $32,262. Set against $27,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public school located in the city of Birmingham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,098, with out-of-state students paying around $22,562. Social Work graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham generally make around $35,750. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Alabama At Birmingham admits about 88% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $37,575. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Oakwood University earned the #12 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Huntsville, Oakwood University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,512 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $43,375 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Oakwood University earn a median of $30,724 early in their careers. Set against $43,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Auburn University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Social Work graduates carry a median of $22,069 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $46,371 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants.
Samford University earned the #14 position for value in social work this year. Set in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,150. Students borrow a median of $21,039 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $44,603. Set against $21,039 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.