by our College Data Analytics Team
[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find the best return on investment for social work students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the social work degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in social work, no school beat Purdue University Northwest this year. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career social work graduates make about $51,424. That is a strong return on a $25,083 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at Indiana University Northwest, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $30,924. Early-career social work graduates make about $43,776. That is a strong return on a $30,924 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at Indiana University South Bend, which ranked #3. Set in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $24,263. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Indiana University South Bend generally make around $43,064. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
Purdue University Global is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #4 spot this year. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $53,229. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $38,324. Set against $53,229 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at Indiana State University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $36,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Indiana University East landed the #6 spot for social work value this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $15,300. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Indiana University East generally make around $32,748. Set against $15,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University East admits about 67% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #7 position for value in social work this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $16,473. Early-career social work graduates make about $44,292. That is a strong return on a $16,473 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Vincennes University landed the #8 spot for social work value this year. Located in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,126, compared with $16,858 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $45,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Southern Indiana came in at #9 for value in social work this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Social Work graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $36,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Ball State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $23,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $39,094. That is a strong return on a $23,900 median debt. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #11 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Students borrow a median of $14,506 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $44,463. That is a strong return on a $14,506 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earned the #12 position for value in social work this year. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,648 in tuition and fees. Social Work graduates carry a median of $41,903 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $45,069. Set against $41,903 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Valparaiso University earned the #13 position for value in social work this year. Set in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $48,450 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $51,987. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Valparaiso University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Indianapolis came in at #14 for value in social work this year. University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,200. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $43,729. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Indianapolis admits about 66% of applicants.
Indiana Wesleyan University earned the #15 position for value in social work this year. Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marion. Students from in state pay about $32,352 in tuition and fees. Social Work graduates carry a median of $41,903 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University generally make around $48,907. Set against $41,903 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Marian University Indiana ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Marian University Indiana is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,664. Students borrow a median of $28,633 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Marian University Indiana generally make around $49,784. Set against $28,633 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.