College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2027 Best Value Social Work Schools in Wisconsin

15 Colleges in the United States
$26,265 Avg Student Debt
$56,586 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Social Work Badge [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 15 schools to find the best return on investment for social work students.

What’s on this page:

2027 Best Value Social Work Schools in Wisconsin

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social work, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Social Work Schools

1

Leading the list is University Of Wisconsin Green Bay, our #1 best value for social work in Wisconsin. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,700, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $25,237. Early-career social work graduates make about $48,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay admits about 89% of applicants.

2

Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at University Of Wisconsin River Falls, which ranked #2. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,008, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. Students borrow a median of $26,303 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin River Falls generally make around $45,870. That is a strong return on a $26,303 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Wisconsin Superior one of the best values for social work. Located in the suburb of Superior, University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,812 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,726. Social Work graduates carry a median of $29,166 in student loans. Social Work graduates of University Of Wisconsin Superior earn a median of $42,487 early in their careers. Set against $29,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

4

Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,912 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $43,411. That is a strong return on a $25,912 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned it the #5 place for social work. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $26,750. Early-career social work graduates make about $47,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.

6

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point landed the #6 spot for social work value this year. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $26,500. Social Work graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $41,582 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

7

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #7 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Social Work graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $40,562. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

8

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #8 position for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $29,610. Early-career social work graduates make about $46,852. That is a strong return on a $29,610 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #9 among the best values for social work. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Social Work graduates carry a median of $21,398 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $54,548. Set against $21,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.

10

University Of Wisconsin Stout ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,701, compared with $19,265 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,821 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $54,235. That is a strong return on a $25,821 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

11
Viterbo University crest
Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI

Viterbo University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the city of La Crosse, Viterbo University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,250. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $31,000. Social Work graduates of Viterbo University earn a median of $46,384 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Viterbo University admits about 72% of applicants.

12

Herzing University Madison earned the #12 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Madison, Herzing University Madison is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,450. Social Work graduates carry a median of $30,328 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Herzing University Madison earn a median of $53,203 early in their careers. Set against $30,328 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

13
Carthage College crest
Carthage College
Kenosha, WI

Carthage College earned the #13 position for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Kenosha, Carthage College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,750. Students borrow a median of $26,449 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $41,923. Set against $26,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Carthage College admits about 87% of applicants.

14
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University came in at #14 for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $51,170 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Marquette University generally make around $37,494. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

15

Concordia University Wisconsin came in at #15 for value in social work this year. Located in the suburb of Mequon, Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,470. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Concordia University Wisconsin earn a median of $58,227 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Concordia University Wisconsin admits about 78% of applicants.

View All Social Work Rankings >

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 · 15 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options