2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Texas A And M University Central Texas
Killeen, TX

Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #1 spot for value among social work schools in the Southwest Region. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Students borrow a median of $26,631 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $35,345. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.

2

South Texas College
McAllen, TX

South Texas College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,227 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $18,336. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

El Centro College
Dallas, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Centro College earned it the #3 place for social work. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Social Work graduates carry a median of $31,701 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $41,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Tulsa Community College
Tulsa, OK

Tulsa Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,038 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $41,718. Set against $10,038 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

The University Of Texas At Brownsville
Brownsville, TX

The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,148, compared with $4,948 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,550 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $30,343. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

Austin Community College District came in at #6 for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Social Work graduates carry a median of $17,922 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $34,003. Set against $17,922 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Tohono Oodham Community College
Sells, AZ

Tohono Oodham Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Tohono Oodham Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Sells. Students from in state pay about $932 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,229 ten years after entry.

8

El Paso Community College
El Paso, TX

El Paso Community College placed #8 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $8,542. Social Work graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #9 for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $16,526. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $41,429. Set against $16,526 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

10

San Juan College
Farmington, NM

San Juan College landed the #10 spot for social work value this year. San Juan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $16,150 in student loans. Social Work graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $41,697 early in their careers. Set against $16,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City placed #11 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,779 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,564. Social Work graduates carry a median of $18,726 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $45,580. Set against $18,726 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for social work. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Social Work graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Social Work graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,633 early in their careers. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.

13

Howard College
Big Spring, TX

Howard College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,766, while out-of-state students pay about $6,716. Social Work graduates carry a median of $14,242 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Howard College earn a median of $41,039 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Tyler Junior College
Tyler, TX

Tyler Junior College came in at #14 for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $12,000. Early-career social work graduates make about $43,348. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.

15

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Odessa, TX

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin placed #15 among the best values for social work. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $60,503. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

16

Western New Mexico University
Silver City, NM

Western New Mexico University placed #16 among the best values for social work. Set in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,855, with out-of-state students paying around $14,341. Students borrow a median of $35,448 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $50,761. That is a strong return on a $35,448 median debt.

17

Texas Womans University
Denton, TX

Texas Womans University came in at #17 for value in social work this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $40,340. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.

18

East Central University
Ada, OK

East Central University came in at #18 for value in social work this year. Located in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,032, with out-of-state students paying around $17,842. Students borrow a median of $26,219 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $42,103. That is a strong return on a $26,219 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

19

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #19 among the best values for social work. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Social Work graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $37,865. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

20

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #20 for value in social work this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Social Work graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $52,502. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

21

University Of Houston Clear Lake
Houston, TX

University Of Houston Clear Lake placed #21 among the best values for social work. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Social Work graduates carry a median of $31,578 in student loans. Social Work graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $51,252 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.

22

Texas A And M University Kingsville
Kingsville, TX

Texas A And M University Kingsville placed #22 among the best values for social work. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,892 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,268. Early-career social work graduates make about $46,829. Set against $27,268 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

23

Texas A And M University Commerce
Commerce, TX

Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #23 position for value in social work this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $25,313. Social Work graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $40,572 early in their careers. Set against $25,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

24

Northwestern Oklahoma State University
Alva, OK

Northwestern Oklahoma State University placed #24 among the best values for social work. Located in the town of Alva, Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,970, with out-of-state students paying around $11,664. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $22,438. Early-career social work graduates make about $46,196. Set against $22,438 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwestern Oklahoma State University admits about 66% of applicants.

25

Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Students borrow a median of $32,705 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $37,593. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.