2027 Best Value Social Work Schools in Ohio
[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 35 schools to find the best return on investment for social work students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Social Work Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social work, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Work Schools
Sinclair Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value social work schools in Ohio. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Social Work graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Ohio University Lancaster Campus one of the best values for social work. Located in the rural area of Lancaster, Ohio University Lancaster Campus is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at Edison State Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the rural area of Piqua, Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,499 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,346 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $15,406 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Edison State Community College earn a median of $43,481 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio University Southern Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Ironton, Ohio University Southern Campus is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,362, with out-of-state students paying around $9,444. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $23,570. Social Work graduates of Ohio University Southern Campus earn a median of $37,990 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,570 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Akron Wayne College earned it the #5 place for social work. Set in the rural area of Orrville, University Of Akron Wayne College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,723 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,403. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $46,600. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Owens Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,870 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,383 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Owens Community College earn a median of $45,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lakeland Community College earned the #7 position for value in social work this year. Set in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,872, compared with $9,235 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $19,857 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $51,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stark State College came in at #8 for value in social work this year. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,177 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,177 median debt.
Washington State Community College came in at #9 for value in social work this year. Located in the town of Marietta, Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,128, compared with $4,152 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $16,291 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $45,305. That is a strong return on a $16,291 median debt.
Central Ohio Technical College placed #10 among the best values for social work. Located in the suburb of Newark, Central Ohio Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,256 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,016 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,779 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $47,021. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clark State Community College placed #11 among the best values for social work. Set in the city of Springfield, Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,393 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,049. Students borrow a median of $25,631 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Clark State Community College earn a median of $29,981 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio State University Marion Campus placed #12 among the best values for social work. Set in the town of Marion, Ohio State University Marion Campus is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,488, compared with $36,266 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $26,970 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Ohio State University Marion Campus earn a median of $38,739 early in their careers. Set against $26,970 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Youngstown State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $33,422 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $43,426 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Central State University placed #14 among the best values for social work. Located in the rural area of Wilberforce, Central State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,058, with out-of-state students paying around $10,058. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $31,000. Social Work graduates of Central State University earn a median of $27,388 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Kent State University At Salem earned the #15 position for value in social work this year. Set in the rural area of Salem, Kent State University At Salem is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,211, with out-of-state students paying around $17,969. Students borrow a median of $24,573 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $38,274. That is a strong return on a $24,573 median debt.
Cleveland State University came in at #16 for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $33,000. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $41,818. Set against $33,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #17 spot for social work value this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,708. Early-career social work graduates make about $42,196. Set against $27,708 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Wright State University Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $28,250. Early-career social work graduates make about $44,971. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
Ohio State University Newark Campus ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the suburb of Newark, Ohio State University Newark Campus is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,488, while out-of-state students pay about $36,266. Students borrow a median of $26,970 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Ohio State University Newark Campus generally make around $38,739. That is a strong return on a $26,970 median debt.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #20 for value in social work this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $26,970 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $44,632 early in their careers. Set against $26,970 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College came in at #21 for value in social work this year. Located in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,904. Social Work graduates carry a median of $24,075 in student loans. Social Work graduates of University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College earn a median of $42,936 early in their careers. Set against $24,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Toledo came in at #22 for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $43,564. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in social work this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Social Work graduates carry a median of $23,570 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $43,618 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,570 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Malone University placed #24 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of Canton, Malone University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,160. Students borrow a median of $27,673 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Malone University generally make around $48,359. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Capital University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $43,234. Social Work graduates carry a median of $43,038 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $44,344. Set against $43,038 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Capital University admits about 70% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Social Work Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in social work:
More Social Work Rankings
View All Social Work Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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.
