2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in Missouri

1

Missouri Southern State University
Joplin, MO

For return on investment in social work, no school beat Missouri Southern State University this year. Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,600, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $25,983. Early-career social work graduates make about $27,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.

2

University Of Missouri St Louis
Saint Louis, MO

Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at University Of Missouri St Louis, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $31,000. Early-career social work graduates make about $42,241. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.

3

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

A rank of #3 makes University Of Missouri Kansas City one of the best values for social work. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $50,723 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.

4

Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, MO

Southeast Missouri State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,903 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,433 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $32,224. Set against $25,433 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, MO

University Of Central Missouri is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $26,579. Early-career social work graduates make about $39,295. Set against $26,579 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

6

Missouri Western State University
Saint Joseph, MO

Missouri Western State University came in at #6 for value in social work this year. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. In-state tuition and fees average $9,545, compared with $18,455 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,679. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Missouri Western State University generally make around $33,532. Set against $27,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Park University
Parkville, MO

Park University earned the #7 position for value in social work this year. Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Parkville. Students from in state pay about $12,116 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Park University generally make around $49,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Missouri State University Springfield
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield placed #8 among the best values for social work. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $25,085 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $41,349. Set against $25,085 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

9

Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO

Lindenwood University landed the #9 spot for social work value this year. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,600. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $48,197. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Lindenwood University admits about 57% of applicants.

10

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #10 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Students borrow a median of $23,119 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $44,434. That is a strong return on a $23,119 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

11

Evangel University
Springfield, MO

Evangel University came in at #11 for value in social work this year. Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $28,548 in tuition and fees. Social Work graduates carry a median of $24,876 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Evangel University generally make around $42,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

12

Washington University In St Louis
St. Louis, MO

Washington University In St Louis landed the #12 spot for social work value this year. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $50,855 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.

13

Missouri Baptist University
Saint Louis, MO

Missouri Baptist University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $33,122 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,337 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Missouri Baptist University earn a median of $45,270 early in their careers. Set against $27,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri Baptist University admits about 69% of applicants.

14

Maryville University Of Saint Louis
Saint Louis, MO

Maryville University Of Saint Louis came in at #14 for value in social work this year. Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Students from in state pay about $27,166 in tuition and fees. Social Work graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Maryville University Of Saint Louis generally make around $67,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Maryville University Of Saint Louis admits about 95% of applicants.

15

Saint Louis University Main Campus
Saint Louis, MO

Saint Louis University Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,760. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $22,875. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $48,270. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.