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2023 Best Value Colleges for Social Work (Income $75-$110k) in the Great Lakes Region

83 Ranked Colleges
10,408 Degrees Awarded
$18,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking.

Social Work is the 13th most popular major in the country with 58,326 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. 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 the Great Lakes region, there were 10,408 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,459 and $27,818 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, we looked at 83 colleges that offer a degree in social work. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent social work programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the social work program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Social Work (Income $75-$110k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 83 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 175 diplomas to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region social work students whose families make $75-$110k list, UChicago has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UChicago is $19,895 for great lakes region social work students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Social Work at UChicago

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 403 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

U-M also made our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $17,207 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend U-M.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read full report on Social Work at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this large public school handed out 617 degrees to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region social work students whose families make $75-$110k list, IUPUI has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend IUPUI is $17,844 for great lakes region social work students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Eau Claire, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 108 students in 2020-2021.

UW - Eau Claire also made our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is $18,816 for great lakes region social work students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Social Work at UW - Eau Claire

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Whitewater. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is a fairly large public school situated in Whitewater, Wisconsin. It awarded 119 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Whitewater not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is $17,253 for great lakes region social work students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Social Work Report

6

Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 526 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region social work students whose families make $75-$110k list, Ohio State has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $21,575 for great lakes region social work students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Ohio State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read full report on Social Work at Ohio State University - Main Campus

7
Aurora crest
Aurora University
Aurora, Illinois

With a ranking of #7, Aurora University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Aurora, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social work degrees to 712 students in 2020-2021.

Aurora also made our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $19,828 for great lakes region social work students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Aurora.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Aurora Social Work Report

8

With a ranking of #8, University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. UW - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 208 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $22,377 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UW - Madison.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Social Work at UW - Madison

9

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. UW - Stevens Point is a medium-sized public school situated in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. It awarded 57 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Stevens Point also made our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #22. The yearly cost to attend UW - Stevens Point is $16,503 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full UW - Stevens Point Social Work Report

10

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. UIUC is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 226 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

UIUC also took the #5 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UIUC is $22,400 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Social Work at UIUC

11
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #11. Wayne State University is a public institution located in Detroit, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 454 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Wayne State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Wayne State University is $17,814 for great lakes region social work students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Social Work at Wayne State University

12
Saginaw Valley State University crest
Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, Michigan

With a ranking of #12, Saginaw Valley State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Saginaw Valley State University is a medium-sized public school situated in University Center, Michigan. It awarded 142 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Saginaw Valley State University is $16,786 for great lakes region social work students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%.

Read full report on Social Work at Saginaw Valley State University

13

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 60 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

UW Oshkosh also took the #25 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UW Oshkosh is $17,169 for great lakes region social work students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Social Work at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

14

With a ranking of #14, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 251 students in 2020-2021.

UIC also made our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Chicago is $19,839 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UIC Social Work Report

15

Youngstown State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #15. Youngstown, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 164 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Youngstown State University is $15,809 for great lakes region social work students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Social Work at Youngstown State University

16

University of Wisconsin - River Falls landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. UW - River Falls is a medium-sized public school situated in River Falls, Wisconsin. It awarded 24 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - River Falls is $16,739 for great lakes region social work students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UW - River Falls Social Work Report

17

Indiana University - South Bend did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #17. This small school is located in South Bend, Indiana, and it awarded 47 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - South Bend is $14,660 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full Indiana University - South Bend Social Work Report

18
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This large school is located in Muncie, Indiana, and it awarded 81 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

Ball State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Ball State University is $19,563 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Work at Ball State

19
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Oakland is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 68 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Oakland is $16,142 for great lakes region social work students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Work at Oakland University

20
IU East crest
Indiana University - East
Richmond, Indiana

Indiana University - East ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Richmond, Indiana, this small public school handed out 15 degrees to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - East is $15,198 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full IU East Social Work Report

21

University of Wisconsin - Superior came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. UW - Superior is located in Superior, Wisconsin and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 22 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend UW - Superior is $16,631 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full UW - Superior Social Work Report

22

University of Wisconsin - Green Bay ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This medium-sized school is located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and it awarded 99 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Green Bay is $16,382 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Social Work at UW - Green Bay

23

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. UWM is a large public school situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It awarded 254 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

UWM also took the #14 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UWM is $20,785 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full UWM Social Work Report

24
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Ypsilanti, Michigan, this fairly large public school handed out 236 degrees to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.

Eastern Michigan not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Eastern Michigan University is $18,563 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Social Work at Eastern Michigan University

25
Ferris crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, Michigan

With a ranking of #25, Ferris State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Ferris is a public institution located in Big Rapids, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 102 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Ferris is $16,753 for great lakes region social work students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full Ferris Social Work Report

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