2023 Best Value Colleges for Social Work in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)
84
Ranked Colleges
10,408
Degrees Awarded
$14,000
Avg Net Price*
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 Getting Aid” 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.
This year’s “Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 84 colleges that offered a degree in social work. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality social work programs that also have a lower cost than 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
More Ways to Rank Social Work Schools
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.
You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid
The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region social work students with aid.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Social Work in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)
Out of the 84 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis landed the #1 spot on the list. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is a large public school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 617 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
IUPUI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $12,416 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students with aid per year to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 IUPUI Social Work Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. UIUC is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 226 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region social work students with aid list, UIUC has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $14,321 for great lakes region social work students with aid per year to attend UIUC.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Social Work at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. U-M is a large school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 403 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $14,878 for great lakes region social work students with aid per year to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Social Work at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Out of the 84 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #4 spot on the list. University of Illinois at Chicago is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 251 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UIC also made our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for UIC is $13,214 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students with aid.
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%.
Read full report on Social Work at UIC
Out of the 84 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 208 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
UW - Madison also took the #3 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Madison is $17,234 for great lakes region social work students with aid.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Social Work at UW - Madison
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Whitewater, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school handed out 119 diplomas to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.
UW - Whitewater did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $14,417 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students with aid per year to attend UW - Whitewater.
Read more about Social Work at UW - Whitewater
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid 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.
In addition to being on our great lakes region social work students with aid list, UW - Eau Claire has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $16,051 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students with aid per year to attend UW - Eau Claire.
Full UW - Eau Claire Social Work Report
Ball State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Ball State University is a large public school situated in Muncie, Indiana. It awarded 81 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
Ball State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Ball State is $14,765 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 Ball State University
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school handed out 60 degrees to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.
UW Oshkosh also took the #25 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW Oshkosh is $14,687 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students with aid.
Read more about Social Work at UW Oshkosh
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 254 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.
UWM also took the #14 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $17,486 for great lakes region social work students with aid per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.
Read more about Social Work at UWM
Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Ohio State is located in Columbus, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 526 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ohio State, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ohio State is $16,845 for great lakes region social work students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Social Work at Ohio State
Indiana University - Northwest came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Gary, Indiana, this small public school handed out 35 diplomas to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Northwest is $6,363 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students with aid.
Read full report on Social Work at Indiana University - Northwest
Indiana University - South Bend ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in South Bend, Indiana, this small public school awarded 47 degrees to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $9,646 for great lakes region social work students with aid per year to attend Indiana University - South Bend.
Full Indiana University - South Bend Social Work Report
With a ranking of #14, Indiana University - East did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Indiana University - East is a small school located in Richmond, Indiana that handed out 15 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for IU East is $9,285 for great lakes region social work students with aid.
Read full report on Social Work at IU East
With a ranking of #15, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Stevens Point, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 57 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Stevens Point, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UW - Stevens Point is $13,346 for great lakes region social work students with aid.
Read more about Social Work at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
Wayne State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Wayne State University is a large public school situated in Detroit, Michigan. It awarded 454 ’s social work 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 yearly cost to attend Wayne State is $13,962 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students with aid.
Read full report on Social Work at Wayne State
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Wisconsin - Green Bay is located in Green Bay, Wisconsin and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 99 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend UW - Green Bay is $13,092 for great lakes region social work students with aid.
Read full report on Social Work at UW - Green Bay
Youngstown State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Youngstown, Ohio, and it awarded 164 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $12,225 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students with aid per year to attend Youngstown State University.
Read more about Social Work at Youngstown State University
Aurora University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. This medium-sized school is located in Aurora, Illinois, and it awarded 712 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
Aurora did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $16,994 for great lakes region social work students with aid 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%.
Read full report on Social Work at Aurora University
Michigan State University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, this large public school handed out 76 degrees to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.
Michigan State also took the #13 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State is $19,058 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. 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 full report on Social Work at Michigan State
With a ranking of #21, University of Wisconsin - Superior did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. UW - Superior is a small school located in Superior, Wisconsin that handed out 22 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Superior is $14,084 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students with aid.
Read full report on Social Work at UW - Superior
With a ranking of #22, Saginaw Valley State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. University Center, Michigan is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 142 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $14,279 for great lakes region social work students with aid per year to attend Saginaw Valley State University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Social Work at Saginaw Valley State University
Ferris State University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Ferris State University is a fairly large school located in Big Rapids, Michigan that handed out 102 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Ferris State University is $12,213 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students with aid.
Full Ferris Social Work Report
University of Wisconsin - River Falls came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Wisconsin - River Falls is a medium-sized school located in River Falls, Wisconsin that handed out 24 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - River Falls is $13,844 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students with aid.
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%.
Read full report on Social Work at UW - River Falls
Indiana University - Bloomington came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and it awarded 27 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend IU Bloomington is $14,619 for great lakes region social work students with aid.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Social Work at IU Bloomington
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