[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 563 schools to find the best return on investment for social work students.
The social work program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Social Work Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Social Work Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
For return on investment in social work, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $9,608 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $51,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #2. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $51,173. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes California State University San Bernardino one of the best values for social work. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Students borrow a median of $13,018 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $53,312. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $12,690 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $52,676. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for social work. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $15,525. Social Work graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $64,167 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville earned the #6 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,148, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Social Work graduates carry a median of $10,550 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $30,343. Set against $10,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M University Central Texas placed #7 among the best values for social work. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Social Work graduates carry a median of $26,631 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $35,345. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
California State University Northridge landed the #8 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $12,449. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $49,320. That is a strong return on a $12,449 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield came in at #9 for value in social work this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #10 position for value in social work this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $14,813. Early-career social work graduates make about $67,567. Set against $14,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
Macomb Community College landed the #11 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Social Work graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. That is a strong return on a $9,862 median debt.
Bristol Community College placed #12 among the best values for social work. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,832, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,433 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $37,897. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fresno landed the #13 spot for social work value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $48,430 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Tulsa Community College landed the #14 spot for social work value this year. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Students borrow a median of $10,038 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $41,718. Set against $10,038 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Medgar Evers College placed #15 among the best values for social work. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,352, compared with $15,302 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $15,096 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $44,311 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Medgar Evers College admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #16 for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,526 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $41,429. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Austin Community College District landed the #17 spot for social work value this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $17,922. Early-career social work graduates make about $34,003. That is a strong return on a $17,922 median debt.
South Texas College placed #18 among the best values for social work. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $6,227. Early-career social work graduates make about $18,336. That is a strong return on a $6,227 median debt.
California State University Sacramento placed #19 among the best values for social work. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $18,000. Social Work graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $51,629 early in their careers. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Utah Valley University landed the #20 spot for social work value this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $44,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $45,172 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny York College earned the #22 position for value in social work this year. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. In-state tuition and fees average $7,358, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. Social Work graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $52,381. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
San Antonio College came in at #23 for value in social work this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,839 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $37,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Itawamba Community College landed the #24 spot for social work value this year. Set in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,420, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $10,942 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Itawamba Community College generally make around $40,832. That is a strong return on a $10,942 median debt.
El Centro College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Social Work graduates carry a median of $31,701 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. Set against $31,701 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Work Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s social work value ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 563 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 563 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
