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2023 Best Value Colleges for Social Work in the Great Lakes Region

86 Ranked Colleges
10,408 Degrees Awarded
$16,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 58,326 people earned their degree in social work, making the major the 13th most popular in the United States. 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” ranking, we looked at 86 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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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” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region.

Top 26 Best Value Colleges for Social Work in the Great Lakes Region

1

Out of the 86 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global landed the #1 spot on the list. IWU is located in Marion, Indiana and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 283 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IWU, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global is $18,904 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global Social Work Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. UW - Eau Claire is a fairly large public school situated in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It awarded 108 ’s social work degrees 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 $16,051 for great lakes region social work students.

Read full report on Social Work at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

3
Aurora crest
Aurora University
Aurora, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Aurora University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Aurora is located in Aurora, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 712 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region social work students list, Aurora has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Aurora is $16,994 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students.

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 Aurora University

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Whitewater. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is a fairly large school located in Whitewater, Wisconsin that handed out 119 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region social work students list, UW - Whitewater has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $14,417 for great lakes region social work students per year to attend UW - Whitewater.

Read more about Social Work at UW - Whitewater

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Youngstown State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region. Youngstown State University is a fairly large public school situated in Youngstown, Ohio. It awarded 164 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,225 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students per year to attend Youngstown State University.

Read full report on Social Work at Youngstown State University

6

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. UW - Stevens Point is a public institution located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 57 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Stevens Point not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is $13,346 for great lakes region social work students.

Read more about Social Work at UW - Stevens Point

7

University of Akron Main Campus ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Akron Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Akron, Ohio. It awarded 147 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,945 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students per year to attend University of Akron Main Campus.

Read more about Social Work at University of Akron Main Campus

8
Purdue University Global crest
Purdue University Global
Indianapolis, Indiana

Purdue University Global ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This large school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 221 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Social Work at Purdue University Global

9

With a ranking of #9, University of Wisconsin - Superior did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. UW - Superior is a public institution located in Superior, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 22 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Superior is $14,084 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students.

Read full report on Social Work at UW - Superior

10

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #10. UW Oshkosh is a fairly large public school situated in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It awarded 60 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

UW Oshkosh not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh is $14,687 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students.

Read full report on Social Work at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

11
Ferris crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, Michigan

Ferris State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Big Rapids, Michigan, and it awarded 102 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Ferris is $12,213 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students.

Full Ferris State University Social Work Report

12

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. SIUE is a fairly large school located in Edwardsville, Illinois that handed out 64 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend SIUE is $14,462 for great lakes region social work students.

Read more about Social Work at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

13

With a ranking of #13, University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in River Falls, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school handed out 24 diplomas to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UW - River Falls is $13,844 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students.

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 University of Wisconsin - River Falls Social Work Report

14

Grand Valley State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Grand Valley State University is a public institution located in Allendale, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 227 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

GVSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Grand Valley State University is $17,356 for great lakes region social work students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Grand Valley State University Social Work Report

15
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 57 degrees to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Central Michigan is $16,007 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% 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 Central Michigan University

16

With a ranking of #16, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. 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.

Read full report on Social Work at University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

17

Western Illinois University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #17. Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 45 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend WIU is $15,305 for great lakes region social work students.

Read full report on Social Work at WIU

18
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

With a ranking of #18, Eastern Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Eastern Michigan University is located in Ypsilanti, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 236 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

Eastern Michigan also took the #24 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,127 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students per year to attend Eastern Michigan.

Read full report on Social Work at Eastern Michigan University

19

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is $17,486 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students.

Read more about Social Work at UWM

20
Loyola Chicago crest
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Loyola Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 317 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

Loyola Chicago also took the #6 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Loyola Chicago is $36,434 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Social Work at Loyola University Chicago

21
Spring Arbor crest
Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor, Michigan

Spring Arbor University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This small school is located in Spring Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 209 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Spring Arbor University is $20,543 for great lakes region social work students.

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 Spring Arbor

22

Illinois State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #22. This large school is located in Normal, Illinois, and it awarded 88 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $20,830 for great lakes region social work students per year to attend Illinois State University.

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%.

Full Illinois State University Social Work Report

23

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. IUPUI is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 617 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

IUPUI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $12,416 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students.

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 Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Social Work Report

24

Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #24. Ohio University - Athens Campus is a large public school situated in Athens, Ohio. It awarded 138 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region social work students list, OHIO Athens has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio University - Athens Campus is $23,831 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students.

Read full report on Social Work at Ohio University - Athens Campus

25
University of Saint Francis crest
University of St Francis
Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This small school is located in Joliet, Illinois, and it awarded 29 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,102 for great lakes region social work students per year to attend University of Saint Francis.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 University of St Francis Social Work Report

25
Stark State College crest
Stark State College
North Canton, Ohio

Stark State College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. North Canton, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 29 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,963 for great lakes region social work students per year to attend Stark State College.

Read more about Social Work at Stark State College

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