2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in Texas

1

Texas A And M University Central Texas
Killeen, TX

Leading the list is Texas A And M University Central Texas, our #1 best value for social work in Texas. 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. Social Work graduates carry a median of $26,631 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $35,345. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

2

South Texas College
McAllen, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #2 place for social work. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,227 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $18,336. Set against $6,227 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $31,701 median debt.

4

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

A rank of #4 makes Austin Community College District one of the best values for social work. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. 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. Early-career social work graduates make about $34,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

The University Of Texas At Brownsville
Brownsville, TX

A rank of #5 makes The University Of Texas At Brownsville one of the best values for social work. Located in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,148, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Students borrow a median of $10,550 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of The University Of Texas At Brownsville earn a median of $30,343 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,550 median debt.

6

El Paso Community College
El Paso, TX

El Paso Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.

7

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #7 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,526 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $41,429 early in their careers. Set against $16,526 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

8

Tyler Junior College
Tyler, TX

Tyler Junior College came in at #8 for value in social work this year. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $12,000. Social Work graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.

9

Howard College
Big Spring, TX

Howard College came in at #9 for value in social work this year. Howard College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Big Spring. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,766, with out-of-state students paying around $6,716. Social Work graduates carry a median of $14,242 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $41,039. That is a strong return on a $14,242 median debt.

10

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Odessa, TX

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,607 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $20,052. Early-career social work graduates make about $60,503. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

11

Texas Womans University
Denton, TX

Texas Womans University earned the #11 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $40,340. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

12

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #12 position for value in social work this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $37,865 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.

13

University Of Houston Clear Lake
Houston, TX

University Of Houston Clear Lake earned the #13 position for value in social work this year. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,346, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $31,578. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $51,252. That is a strong return on a $31,578 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

14

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #14 position for value in social work this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $23,312. Early-career social work graduates make about $52,502. Set against $23,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.

15

Texas A And M University Kingsville
Kingsville, TX

Texas A And M University Kingsville earned the #15 position for value in social work this year. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,268. Social Work graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $46,829 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,268 median debt. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.

16

Jarvis Christian College
Hawkins, TX

Jarvis Christian College placed #16 among the best values for social work. Located in the rural area of Hawkins, Jarvis Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,720. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $33,124. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Jarvis Christian College generally make around $30,308. Set against $33,124 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Texas A And M University Commerce
Commerce, TX

Texas A And M University Commerce placed #17 among the best values for social work. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,313 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $40,572. Set against $25,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

18

Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University came in at #18 for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $32,705 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $37,593. That is a strong return on a $32,705 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston placed #19 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $55,656. Set against $21,255 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

20

The University Of Texas At Tyler
Tyler, TX

The University Of Texas At Tyler ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,512 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $20,959. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $55,134. That is a strong return on a $20,959 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

21

Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $9,950, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. Students borrow a median of $35,135 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $39,215. Set against $35,135 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.

22

Texas A And M University Texarkana
Texarkana, TX

Texas A And M University Texarkana placed #22 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of Texarkana, Texas A And M University Texarkana is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,349 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,680. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $25,270. Early-career social work graduates make about $44,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

23

Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX

Angelo State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,178 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $38,771. That is a strong return on a $27,178 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas earned the #24 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $22,500. Early-career social work graduates make about $41,980. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.

25

University Of Houston Downtown
Houston, TX

University Of Houston Downtown ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,582, compared with $17,434 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,186 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $37,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.