[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 328 schools to find the best return on investment for social work students.
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for social work in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $9,608 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $60,587. That is a strong return on a $9,608 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $64,869. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at California State University San Bernardino, which ranked #3. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $13,018. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $67,479. That is a strong return on a $13,018 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for social work. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $12,690. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $63,051. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $15,525. Social Work graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $64,167 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
California State University Northridge ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Social Work graduates carry a median of $12,449 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $64,193. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Bakersfield ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #8 position for value in social work this year. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Social Work graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $67,567. That is a strong return on a $14,813 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno earned the #9 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Social Work graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $64,873. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Utah Valley University came in at #10 for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Social Work graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $51,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Sacramento came in at #11 for value in social work this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $65,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #12 for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $16,526 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $52,422. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #13 among the best values for social work. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $59,322. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #14 for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $15,886. Early-career social work graduates make about $66,121. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Long Beach earned the #15 position for value in social work this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $11,276. Early-career social work graduates make about $66,873. That is a strong return on a $11,276 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay placed #16 among the best values for social work. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $81,059. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny York College earned the #17 position for value in social work this year. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,358, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $60,020 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,624 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $57,241. Set against $25,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Rhode Island College placed #19 among the best values for social work. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $24,100 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $54,937 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Marcos ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $17,527 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $62,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota landed the #21 spot for social work value this year. Set in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,080. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,081. Early-career social work graduates make about $69,785. That is a strong return on a $27,081 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus landed the #22 spot for social work value this year. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Students borrow a median of $17,396 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $61,696. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #23 for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $15,117. Early-career social work graduates make about $49,662. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Oakland University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. 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%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #25 spot for social work value this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Social Work graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. Social Work graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $50,498 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,875 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Work Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in social work:
This ranking is produced 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 · 328 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 328 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).
[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.
