2027 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 111 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social work students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social work, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Work Schools
For return on investment in social work, no school beat Macomb Community College this year. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at Henry Ford Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Students borrow a median of $18,876 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $36,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $43,205. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Sinclair Community College one of the best values for social work. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $10,000. Early-career social work graduates make about $35,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Purdue University Northwest one of the best values for social work. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Students borrow a median of $25,083 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $51,424 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,083 median debt. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
Ohio University Lancaster Campus landed the #6 spot for social work value this year. Ohio University Lancaster Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Lancaster. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,362, compared with $9,444 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $23,570. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Ohio University Lancaster Campus generally make around $37,990. Set against $23,570 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $20,115. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $51,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Oakland University earned the #8 position for value in social work this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $28,250 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $38,446 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Edison State Community College came in at #9 for value in social work this year. Located in the rural area of Piqua, Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,499, with out-of-state students paying around $8,346. Social Work graduates carry a median of $15,406 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $43,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ferris State University landed the #10 spot for social work value this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $45,333. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Indiana University Northwest ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gary. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $30,924. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Indiana University Northwest generally make around $43,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Ohio University Southern Campus landed the #12 spot for social work value this year. Ohio University Southern Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Ironton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,362, with out-of-state students paying around $9,444. Social Work graduates carry a median of $23,570 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $37,990. That is a strong return on a $23,570 median debt.
Indiana University South Bend came in at #13 for value in social work this year. Located in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Social Work graduates carry a median of $24,263 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Indiana University South Bend earn a median of $43,064 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Wayne College earned the #14 position for value in social work this year. Set in the rural area of Orrville, University Of Akron Wayne College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,723, with out-of-state students paying around $15,403. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,600 ten years after entry. University Of Akron Wayne College admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Flint ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $38,000. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $40,371. Set against $38,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
Owens Community College placed #16 among the best values for social work. Located in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,870, while out-of-state students pay about $10,502. Social Work graduates carry a median of $19,383 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Owens Community College generally make around $45,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #17 spot for social work value this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Social Work graduates carry a median of $16,473 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $44,292 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,473 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Lakeland Community College earned the #18 position for value in social work this year. Located in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,872 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,235. Students borrow a median of $19,857 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Lakeland Community College generally make around $51,941. Set against $19,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washington State Community College landed the #19 spot for social work value this year. Set in the town of Marietta, Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,128, with out-of-state students paying around $4,152. Social Work graduates carry a median of $16,291 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Washington State Community College generally make around $45,305. Set against $16,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Springfield landed the #20 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Social Work graduates carry a median of $24,810 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $38,707. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Central Ohio Technical College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the suburb of Newark, Central Ohio Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,256, with out-of-state students paying around $8,016. Social Work graduates carry a median of $16,779 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Central Ohio Technical College earn a median of $47,021 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Illinois College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $6,720. Students borrow a median of $10,388 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Southwestern Illinois College earn a median of $44,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #23 for value in social work this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $19,137. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $52,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Stark State College landed the #24 spot for social work value this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $25,177. Social Work graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. Set against $25,177 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $36,294 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Work Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for social work this year:
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Notes and References
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 · 111 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 111 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.
