[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 421 schools to find the best return on investment for social work students.
For return on investment in social work, no school beat California State University Los Angeles this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $37,477. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $12,690. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $42,300. Set against $12,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for social work. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $9,608. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $42,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
California State University San Bernardino is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #4 spot this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Social Work graduates carry a median of $13,018 in student loans. Social Work graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $39,145 early in their careers. Set against $13,018 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M University Central Texas earned it the #5 place for social work. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Social Work graduates carry a median of $26,631 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $35,345. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno came in at #6 for value in social work this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $31,986. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Cuny York College placed #7 among the best values for social work. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 $44,742. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $16,526 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $30,436. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Cuny Medgar Evers College earned the #9 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,352, while out-of-state students pay about $15,302. Students borrow a median of $15,096 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $44,311 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,096 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
California State University Sacramento landed the #10 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $37,290. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Utah Valley University landed the #11 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Social Work graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $37,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #12 among the best values for social work. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. 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. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $31,021. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $21,101 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $39,912 early in their careers. Set against $21,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach came in at #14 for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $11,276. Social Work graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $42,925 early in their careers. Set against $11,276 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Purdue University Northwest ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $25,083. Social Work graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $51,424 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Portland State University came in at #16 for value in social work this year. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,624 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $41,594 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University placed #17 among the best values for social work. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $18,800 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $41,626 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,800 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,875 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $37,458 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Students borrow a median of $17,396 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $40,969. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Oakland University placed #20 among the best values for social work. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $28,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $38,446. That is a strong return on a $28,250 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Rhode Island College earned the #21 position for value in social work this year. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,100 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $33,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida came in at #22 for value in social work this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $22,375. Social Work graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $35,358 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $21,686. Social Work graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $44,427 early in their careers. Set against $21,686 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Ohio University Lancaster Campus landed the #24 spot for social work value this year. Located in the rural area of Lancaster, Ohio University Lancaster Campus is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,362 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,444. Social Work graduates carry a median of $23,570 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Ohio University Lancaster Campus generally make around $37,990. That is a strong return on a $23,570 median debt.
Ferris State University placed #25 among the best values for social work. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,500. Early-career social work graduates make about $38,870. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Work Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for social work this year:
The ranking above is published 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 · 421 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 421 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/) 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.
