2027 Best Value Social Work Associate’s Degree Schools
[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong social work education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 60 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value social work schools.
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2027 Best Value Social Work Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social work, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Work Schools
Leading the list is The University Of Texas At Brownsville, our #1 best value for social work in the United States. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,148, compared with $4,948 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,550 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $30,343. That is a strong return on a $10,550 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Macomb Community College one of the best values for social work. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bristol Community College earned it the #3 place for social work. Set in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,832 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. Students borrow a median of $6,433 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Bristol Community College earn a median of $37,897 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Tulsa Community College one of the best values for social work. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, 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. That is a strong return on a $10,038 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Austin Community College District one of the best values for social work. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Social Work graduates carry a median of $6,227 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $18,336. That is a strong return on a $6,227 median debt.
Itawamba Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fulton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,420, with out-of-state students paying around $5,820. Students borrow a median of $10,942 to complete the social work program here. 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 #8 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. That is a strong return on a $31,701 median debt.
Sinclair Community College came in at #9 for value in social work this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.
Southern Regional Technical College placed #10 among the best values for social work. Located in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,007 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,575. Social Work graduates carry a median of $9,086 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Southern Regional Technical College earn a median of $44,007 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,086 median debt.
Camden County College came in at #11 for value in social work this year. Set in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, compared with $4,416 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $9,219 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $24,616. Set against $9,219 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Henry Ford Community College came in at #12 for value in social work this year. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $36,247. Set against $18,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakland Community College came in at #13 for value in social work this year. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $15,865. Social Work graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $43,205 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt.
Holmes Community College placed #14 among the best values for social work. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,710, while out-of-state students pay about $6,610. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $10,831. Social Work graduates of Holmes Community College earn a median of $32,145 early in their careers. Set against $10,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ferris State University landed the #15 spot for social work value this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $45,333. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas placed #16 among the best values for social work. Located in the town of Helena, Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,380, while out-of-state students pay about $4,550. Social Work graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $45,190. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Rhode Island ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public school located in the city of Warwick. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $14,834. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $13,940. Early-career social work graduates make about $39,680. Set against $13,940 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Truckee Meadows Community College placed #18 among the best values for social work. Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public school located in the city of Reno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,352, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. Students borrow a median of $12,290 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Truckee Meadows Community College earn a median of $52,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,290 median debt.
Essex County College came in at #19 for value in social work this year. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,415, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $12,472. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $37,915. Set against $12,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tohono Oodham Community College landed the #20 spot for social work value this year. Tohono Oodham Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Sells. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $932. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,229.
Haskell Indian Nations University came in at #21 for value in social work this year. Haskell Indian Nations University is a small public school located in the city of Lawrence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $600. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Haskell Indian Nations University generally make around $24,914. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
El Paso Community College placed #22 among the best values for social work. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $8,542. Early-career social work graduates make about $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
Passaic County Community College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,300, compared with $10,560 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $9,581 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Passaic County Community College generally make around $28,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Mississippi Community College came in at #24 for value in social work this year. Located in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,740. Social Work graduates carry a median of $9,990 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Northwest Mississippi Community College generally make around $35,001. That is a strong return on a $9,990 median debt.
San Juan College earned the #25 position for value in social work this year. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,910, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Social Work graduates carry a median of $16,150 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $41,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Work Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for social work this year:
Other Social Work Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Social Work rankings across degree levels:
View All Social Work Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 60 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 60 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
