by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 31 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social work students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social work, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in social work, no school beat South Central College this year. Located in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,146. Students borrow a median of $13,139 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from South Central College generally make around $46,447. Set against $13,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at Saint Cloud State University, which ranked #2. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,996. Social Work graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $49,595 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,996 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
A rank of #3 makes Minneapolis Community And Technical College one of the best values for social work. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,161. Students borrow a median of $24,036 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Minneapolis Community And Technical College earn a median of $43,164 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,036 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Southwest Minnesota State University one of the best values for social work. Located in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,361. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,016. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Southwest Minnesota State University generally make around $46,368. Set against $27,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $56,823. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
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Bemidji State University came in at #6 for value in social work this year. Set in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $47,192. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Winona State University earned the #7 position for value in social work this year. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,000. Social Work graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $44,546 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Moorhead landed the #8 spot for social work value this year. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,428 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Minnesota State University Moorhead generally make around $43,471. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Capella University placed #9 among the best values for social work. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400. Social Work graduates carry a median of $35,998 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $80,985. Set against $35,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #10 for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $23,111. Social Work graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $44,276 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,111 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #11 for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $50,207 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Metropolitan State University landed the #12 spot for social work value this year. Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,840. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $29,615. Early-career social work graduates make about $47,637. Set against $29,615 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota placed #13 among the best values for social work. Set in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,080. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,081. Early-career social work graduates make about $69,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota admits about 93% of applicants.
St Catherine University placed #14 among the best values for social work. St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,428. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $30,912. Social Work graduates of St Catherine University earn a median of $44,257 early in their careers. Set against $30,912 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
St Olaf College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,760. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,000. Social Work graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of $45,146 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. St Olaf College admits about 48% of applicants.
Augsburg College came in at #16 for value in social work this year. Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $45,452 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $25,737. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Augsburg College generally make around $51,340. That is a strong return on a $25,737 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of Saint Scholastica earned the #17 position for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Duluth, The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,778. Social Work graduates carry a median of $37,059 in student loans. Social Work graduates of The College Of Saint Scholastica earn a median of $48,361 early in their careers. Set against $37,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The College Of Saint Scholastica admits about 93% of applicants.
Bethel University Minnesota placed #18 among the best values for social work. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,226. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of $45,259 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #19 among the best values for social work. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $54,398 in tuition and fees. Social Work graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $65,989. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of St Thomas Minnesota admits about 85% of applicants.
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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.