2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in Tennessee
[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social work students.
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2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in Tennessee
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the social work degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Social Work Schools
The University Of Tennessee Martin tops our 2026 list of the best value social work schools in Tennessee. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,560, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $25,653. Social Work graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $34,240 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,653 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middle Tennessee State University earned it the #2 place for social work. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $22,100. Social Work graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $43,102 early in their careers. Set against $22,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $20,043. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $35,667. That is a strong return on a $20,043 median debt. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tennessee State University earned it the #4 place for social work. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $31,500 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $38,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tennessee State University admits about 70% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Memphis earned it the #5 place for social work. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $36,506 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $41,864. That is a strong return on a $36,506 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Austin Peay State University placed #6 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $26,000. Early-career social work graduates make about $38,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
East Tennessee State University landed the #7 spot for social work value this year. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,216 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $37,775. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee landed the #8 spot for social work value this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,683 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $43,853 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,683 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Freed Hardeman University placed #9 among the best values for social work. Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Henderson. Students from in state pay about $25,620 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $24,200. Early-career social work graduates make about $54,530. That is a strong return on a $24,200 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
King College placed #10 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of Bristol, King College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,397. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $28,732. Early-career social work graduates make about $34,380. Set against $28,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Southern Adventist University earned the #11 position for value in social work this year. Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Collegedale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,300. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $24,575. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Southern Adventist University generally make around $47,542. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Adventist University admits about 66% of applicants.
Lipscomb University earned the #12 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,572. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $23,529. Early-career social work graduates make about $48,949. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants.
Union University came in at #13 for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Union University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,398. Social Work graduates carry a median of $39,415 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Union University earn a median of $41,049 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $39,415 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Belmont University placed #14 among the best values for social work. Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,540. Social Work graduates carry a median of $23,447 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Belmont University earn a median of $49,699 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
More Social Work Rankings
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Notes and References
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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
