2027 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong social work education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 87 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value social work schools.
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2027 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social work, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Work Schools
For return on investment in social work, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Social Work graduates carry a median of $9,608 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $51,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for social work. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Students borrow a median of $12,690 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $52,676 early in their careers. Set against $12,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Medgar Evers College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,352 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. Students borrow a median of $15,096 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $44,311 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $14,688. Early-career social work graduates make about $45,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny York College earned it the #5 place for social work. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Social Work graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $52,381. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Camden County College landed the #6 spot for social work value this year. Set in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, compared with $4,416 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $9,219. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Camden County College generally make around $24,616. That is a strong return on a $9,219 median debt.
Brookdale Community College placed #7 among the best values for social work. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. In-state tuition and fees average $6,270, with out-of-state students paying around $10,140. Social Work graduates carry a median of $12,458 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $37,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Passaic County Community College landed the #8 spot for social work value this year. Located in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,300, compared with $10,560 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $9,581 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Passaic County Community College generally make around $28,957. Set against $9,581 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Essex County College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $5,415, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $12,472. Social Work graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $37,915 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,472 median debt.
Hudson County Community College came in at #10 for value in social work this year. Hudson County Community College is a large public school located in the city of Jersey City. Students from in state pay about $5,384 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,248. Students borrow a median of $10,671 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $35,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College At Buffalo landed the #11 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $23,312. Social Work graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $39,695 early in their careers. Set against $23,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Cumberland County College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Vineland, Cumberland County College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,160 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $15,803. Social Work graduates of Cumberland County College earn a median of $37,250 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,803 median debt.
Reading Area Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Reading. In-state tuition and fees average $6,480, compared with $12,510 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $11,725. Social Work graduates of Reading Area Community College earn a median of $49,248 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,725 median debt.
Mercy College placed #14 among the best values for social work. Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. Social Work graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Mercy College earn a median of $39,373 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County came in at #15 for value in social work this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,256, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. Social Work graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Social Work graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $40,316 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Kean University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Students borrow a median of $26,703 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Kean University earn a median of $50,074 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,703 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Northampton County Area Community College came in at #17 for value in social work this year. Located in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, compared with $15,270 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College generally make around $35,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montclair State University placed #18 among the best values for social work. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $42,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Coppin State University earned the #19 position for value in social work this year. Coppin State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $7,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,024. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $28,750. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Coppin State University generally make around $37,612. That is a strong return on a $28,750 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Brockport ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brockport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,752, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $23,354. Early-career social work graduates make about $44,947. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Social Work graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $43,129. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus landed the #22 spot for social work value this year. Set in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,010. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $24,770. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus generally make around $54,505. That is a strong return on a $24,770 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Delaware State University came in at #23 for value in social work this year. Delaware State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dover. Students from in state pay about $10,670 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,634. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Delaware State University earn a median of $41,356 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Delaware State University admits about 47% of applicants.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #24 for value in social work this year. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,000. Social Work graduates of Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $33,958 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Niagara University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Niagara University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Niagara University. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,345. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $26,208. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Niagara University generally make around $51,918. Set against $26,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Work Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for social work this year:
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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 · 87 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 87 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.
