2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in North Carolina

1

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

Leading the list is University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, our #1 best value for social work in North Carolina. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $15,117. Early-career social work graduates make about $49,662. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned it the #2 place for social work. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $26,000. 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. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.

3

Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City, NC

Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at Elizabeth City State University, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,536, while out-of-state students pay about $10,536. Students borrow a median of $25,467 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Elizabeth City State University generally make around $28,300. That is a strong return on a $25,467 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of North Carolina At Pembroke
Pembroke, NC

Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at University Of North Carolina At Pembroke, which ranked #4. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke. Students from in state pay about $3,648 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,000. Social Work graduates of University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn a median of $37,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

5

Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC

A rank of #5 makes Western Carolina University one of the best values for social work. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,857 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $42,004. That is a strong return on a $25,857 median debt. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.

6

Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,353, with out-of-state students paying around $8,353. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $32,500. Social Work graduates of Fayetteville State University earn a median of $36,417 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

7

North Carolina A And T State University
Greensboro, NC

North Carolina A And T State University came in at #7 for value in social work this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $30,000. Early-career social work graduates make about $37,036. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.

8

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $37,850. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

9

Winston Salem State University
Winston-Salem, NC

Winston Salem State University earned the #9 position for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,126 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,782 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,537 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $29,617. Set against $28,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

10

Appalachian State University
Boone, NC

Appalachian State University earned the #10 position for value in social work this year. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $22,184. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $40,115. Set against $22,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

11

North Carolina Central University
Durham, NC

North Carolina Central University landed the #11 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,699, while out-of-state students pay about $19,735. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from North Carolina Central University generally make around $38,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

12

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $26,000. Early-career social work graduates make about $43,448. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

13

North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #13 spot for social work value this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Social Work graduates carry a median of $20,791 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $41,233. Set against $20,791 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
Wilmington, NC

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earned the #14 position for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,277 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,152 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $22,361. Social Work graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $43,289 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.

15

Meredith College
Raleigh, NC

Meredith College placed #15 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of Raleigh, Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,630 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $26,381. Early-career social work graduates make about $40,537. That is a strong return on a $26,381 median debt. Meredith College admits about 74% of applicants.

16

Johnson C Smith University
Charlotte, NC

Johnson C Smith University earned the #16 position for value in social work this year. Johnson C Smith University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,300. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $41,000. Social Work graduates of Johnson C Smith University earn a median of $48,343 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $41,000 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

17

Mars Hill College
Mars Hill, NC

Mars Hill College came in at #17 for value in social work this year. Set in the rural area of Mars Hill, Mars Hill College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,736. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $29,133. Early-career social work graduates make about $41,643. Set against $29,133 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.

18

Barton College
Wilson, NC

Barton College placed #18 among the best values for social work. Located in the town of Wilson, Barton College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,000. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Barton College earn a median of $38,312 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

19

Methodist University
Fayetteville, NC

Methodist University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Methodist University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,250 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,604 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $56,375. That is a strong return on a $27,604 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.