College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Colleges for Social Work (Income $0-$30k) in Pennsylvania

22 Ranked Colleges
2,266 Degrees Awarded
$17,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 58,326 people earned their degree in social work, making the major the 13th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, social work graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $37,651 and had an average of $26,679 in loans still to pay off.

Across Pennsylvania, there were 2,266 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,199 and $27,340 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 22 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in social work. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great social work programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the social work program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Social Work Rankings Other Ranking Categories

The social work school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 22 Best Value Colleges for Social Work (Income $0-$30k) in Pennsylvania

1
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Pennsylvania. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 180 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania social work students whose families make $0-$30k list, UPenn has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $580 for pennsylvania social work students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Pennsylvania.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at University of Pennsylvania

2
Bryn Mawr crest
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Bryn Mawr College landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 66 degrees to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.

Bryn Mawr did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Bryn Mawr is $16,435 for Pennsylvania Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Bryn Mawr College Social Work Report

3
SRU crest
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania landed the #3 spot on the list. This medium-sized school is located in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 41 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

SRU also made our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is $14,091 for Pennsylvania Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at SRU

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Edinboro, Pennsylvania, this small public school awarded 188 degrees to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.

Edinboro not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Edinboro University of Pennsylvania is $12,212 for Pennsylvania Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Social Work at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus is a large school located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that handed out 246 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

Pitt also took the #2 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $15,084 for Pennsylvania Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Social Work at Pitt

6
WCUPA crest
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, Pennsylvania

West Chester University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. This fairly large school is located in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 142 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WCUPA, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for West Chester University of Pennsylvania is $15,718 for Pennsylvania Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at West Chester University of Pennsylvania

7
Millersville crest
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Millersville, Pennsylvania

Millersville University of Pennsylvania came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Millersville, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 136 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Millersville, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Millersville University of Pennsylvania is $17,224 for Pennsylvania Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Work at Millersville

8

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Kutztown University is a public institution located in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 90 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Kutztown University also made our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $18,732 for Pennsylvania Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.

Read full report on Social Work at Kutztown University

9
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Temple University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Temple is a public institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 169 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Temple not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Temple is $18,173 for pennsylvania social work students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Temple University Social Work Report

10
Ship crest
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 65 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

Ship also made our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is $18,076 for pennsylvania social work students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Ship Social Work Report

11

California University of Pennsylvania ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in California, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized public school handed out 59 degrees to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.

Cal U not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend California University of Pennsylvania is $15,854 for pennsylvania social work students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Social Work at Cal U

12
Marywood crest
Marywood University
Scranton, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #12, Marywood University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Marywood is a private not-for-profit institution located in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 82 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Marywood, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Marywood is $18,249 for pennsylvania social work students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at Marywood University

13

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized public school handed out 57 degrees to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.

Bloomsburg not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Bloomsburg is $16,112 for Pennsylvania Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Social Work at Bloomsburg

14
LHU crest
Lock Haven University
Lock Haven, Pennsylvania

Lock Haven University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, this small public school awarded 24 diplomas to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.

LHU also took the #14 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lock Haven University is $16,889 for Pennsylvania Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Social Work at Lock Haven University

15

Mansfield University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Mansfield University of Pennsylvania is a small public school situated in Mansfield, Pennsylvania. It awarded 19 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

Mansfield University also took the #22 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $9,043 for pennsylvania social work students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Mansfield University of Pennsylvania.

Read full report on Social Work at Mansfield University

16
Cairn crest
Cairn University
Langhorne, Pennsylvania

Cairn University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cairn is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. It awarded 16 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cairn, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $21,041 for Pennsylvania Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cairn University.

Full Cairn University Social Work Report

17
Carlow crest
Carlow University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #17, Carlow University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 12 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

Carlow also made our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #20. The estimated yearly cost for Carlow University is $16,923 for Pennsylvania Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at Carlow

18
East Stroudsburg University crest
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #18, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. East Stroudsburg University is a medium-sized school located in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania that handed out 33 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at East Stroudsburg University, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $16,590 for Pennsylvania Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend East Stroudsburg University.

Read more about Social Work at East Stroudsburg University

19
Lancaster Bible College crest
Lancaster Bible College
Lancaster, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #19, Lancaster Bible College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lancaster Bible College is located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

Lancaster Bible College also made our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for Lancaster Bible College is $18,208 for Pennsylvania Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Social Work at Lancaster Bible College

20
Alvernia crest
Alvernia University
Reading, Pennsylvania

Alvernia University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Alvernia University is a small school located in Reading, Pennsylvania that handed out 35 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

Alvernia also made our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $26,553 for Pennsylvania Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Alvernia.

Read full report on Social Work at Alvernia

21
EU crest
Eastern University
Saint Davids, Pennsylvania

Eastern University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Saint Davids, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social work degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.

EU also took the #18 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $24,130 for Pennsylvania Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Eastern University.

Read more about Social Work at EU

22
Widener crest
Widener University
Chester, Pennsylvania

Widener University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Widener is a medium-sized school located in Chester, Pennsylvania that handed out 282 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

Widener also took the #3 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Widener University is $29,378 for Pennsylvania Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Widener Social Work Report

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options