2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in Kansas
[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social work students.
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2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in Kansas
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
Washburn University earned the #1 spot for value among social work schools in Kansas. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Students borrow a median of $24,623 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $45,820. That is a strong return on a $24,623 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at Fort Hays State University, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $42,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Kansas one of the best values for social work. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Social Work graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $45,600. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wichita State University earned it the #4 place for social work. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $31,000. Early-career social work graduates make about $43,091. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kansas State University earned it the #5 place for social work. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Social Work graduates carry a median of $24,603 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $41,833. That is a strong return on a $24,603 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Pittsburg State University landed the #6 spot for social work value this year. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,744. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $38,288 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Newman University landed the #7 spot for social work value this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Newman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,500. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $24,562. Social Work graduates of Newman University earn a median of $54,440 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,562 median debt. Newman University admits about 74% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
