2027 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois
[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find the best return on investment for social work students.
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2027 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois
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 University Of Illinois At Chicago, our #1 best value for social work in Illinois. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $20,115. Early-career social work graduates make about $51,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Springfield one of the best values for social work. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $24,810. Early-career social work graduates make about $38,707. Set against $24,810 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at Southwestern Illinois College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,230 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,388 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $44,345. Set against $10,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College one of the best values for social work. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $10,250. Social Work graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College earn a median of $48,264 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt.
Dominican University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,828. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $26,236. Early-career social work graduates make about $52,605. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. Dominican University admits about 90% of applicants.
Governors State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Social Work graduates carry a median of $33,983 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $48,182. That is a strong return on a $33,983 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Western Illinois University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Social Work graduates carry a median of $29,850 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $39,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
National Louis University placed #8 among the best values for social work. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $13,245 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,242 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from National Louis University generally make around $37,205. Set against $29,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #9 among the best values for social work. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $19,344. Early-career social work graduates make about $43,709. Set against $19,344 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Chicago State University landed the #10 spot for social work value this year. Chicago State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,754, compared with $12,757 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $43,322 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $48,031. Set against $43,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Francis landed the #11 spot for social work value this year. University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,110. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of University Of St Francis earn a median of $47,909 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of St Francis admits about 65% of applicants.
University Of Chicago came in at #12 for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $15,854. Early-career social work graduates make about $52,551. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Illinois University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Social Work graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $42,588 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #14 for value in social work this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $40,356 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #15 among the best values for social work. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $25,000. Social Work graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $42,529 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis University came in at #16 for value in social work this year. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,200. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,000. Social Work graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $49,271 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Aurora University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,170. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $44,596. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Trinity Christian College earned the #18 position for value in social work this year. Set in the suburb of Palos Heights, Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $20,605 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $28,722. Social Work graduates of Trinity Christian College earn a median of $48,400 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University earned the #19 position for value in social work this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $44,297. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Olivet Nazarene University earned the #20 position for value in social work this year. Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. Students from in state pay about $38,900 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Olivet Nazarene University earn a median of $31,720 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Olivet Nazarene University admits about 56% of applicants.
Bradley University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,160. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $36,017. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University placed #22 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,340 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $51,689. That is a strong return on a $25,340 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the suburb of Addison, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,536 in tuition and fees. Social Work graduates carry a median of $39,146 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois generally make around $101,006. Set against $39,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Loyola University Chicago ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Social Work graduates carry a median of $21,133 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $51,834 early in their careers. Set against $21,133 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
More Social Work Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
