2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in Mississippi

[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social work students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in Mississippi
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social work, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Work Schools
For return on investment in social work, no school beat Itawamba Community College this year. Set in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,420 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,820. Social Work graduates carry a median of $10,942 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Itawamba Community College generally make around $40,832. Set against $10,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coahoma Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,490 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $11,745. Social Work graduates of Coahoma Community College earn a median of $29,600 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes East Mississippi Community College one of the best values for social work. Located in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,095, compared with $7,445 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $9,422 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Holmes Community College earned it the #4 place for social work. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $6,610. Students borrow a median of $10,831 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $32,145. Set against $10,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Students borrow a median of $21,986 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $31,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Delta State University earned the #6 position for value in social work this year. Set in the town of Cleveland, Delta State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,605 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Delta State University generally make around $41,580. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Alcorn State University came in at #7 for value in social work this year. Set in the rural area of Alcorn State, Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,785 in tuition and fees. Social Work graduates carry a median of $31,900 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $37,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Alcorn State University admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Southern Mississippi came in at #8 for value in social work this year. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Social Work graduates carry a median of $30,700 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $35,903. That is a strong return on a $30,700 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $26,297. Early-career social work graduates make about $29,242. Set against $26,297 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Jackson State University landed the #10 spot for social work value this year. Jackson State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jackson. Students from in state pay about $8,965 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,965. Students borrow a median of $36,403 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Jackson State University earn a median of $32,900 early in their careers. Set against $36,403 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
More Social Work Rankings
View All Social Work Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.