2027 Best Value Social Work Schools in New Jersey
[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find the best return on investment for social work students.
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2027 Best Value Social Work Schools in New Jersey
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social work, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Work Schools
Camden County College earned the #1 spot for value among social work schools in New Jersey. Camden County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blackwood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $4,416. Students borrow a median of $9,219 to complete the social work program here. 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.
A rank of #2 makes Brookdale Community College one of the best values for social work. Set in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,270, compared with $10,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $12,458. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $37,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Essex County College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,415 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $12,472. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $37,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Passaic County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,300, compared with $10,560 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,581 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $28,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hudson County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #5 spot this year. Hudson County Community College is a large public school located in the city of Jersey City. In-state tuition and fees average $5,384, with out-of-state students paying around $9,248. Students borrow a median of $10,671 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Hudson County Community College generally make around $35,909. That is a strong return on a $10,671 median debt.
Cumberland County College ranked #6 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. In-state tuition and fees average $5,160, while out-of-state students pay about $6,000. Social Work graduates carry a median of $15,803 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $37,250. That is a strong return on a $15,803 median debt.
Kean University earned the #7 position for value in social work this year. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,703 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $50,074. That is a strong return on a $26,703 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus placed #8 among the best values for social work. Located in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,010 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,770 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus generally make around $54,505. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Montclair State University placed #9 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, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the social work program here. 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. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey landed the #10 spot for social work value this year. Located in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,777, while out-of-state students pay about $27,708. Students borrow a median of $24,491 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Ramapo College Of New Jersey earn a median of $40,113 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Rutgers University Camden placed #11 among the best values for social work. Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Camden. In-state tuition and fees average $17,764, compared with $37,276 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $47,081. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,704, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,644 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $46,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University Newark landed the #13 spot for social work value this year. Located in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,762. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $25,000. Social Work graduates of Rutgers University Newark earn a median of $47,081 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Georgian Court University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Georgian Court University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lakewood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,110. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Georgian Court University earn a median of $38,530 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgian Court University admits about 79% of applicants.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey placed #15 among the best values for social work. Located in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,266, with out-of-state students paying around $24,524. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $44,545. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey admits about 89% of applicants.
Rowan University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Students borrow a median of $24,488 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $52,031. That is a strong return on a $24,488 median debt. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #17 position for value in social work this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $67,673 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
Monmouth University came in at #18 for value in social work this year. Set in the suburb of West Long Branch, Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $46,552 in tuition and fees. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Monmouth University earn a median of $51,318 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Seton Hall University landed the #19 spot for social work value this year. Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Orange. Students from in state pay about $53,170 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $25,721. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Seton Hall University generally make around $49,824. That is a strong return on a $25,721 median debt. Seton Hall University admits about 73% of applicants.
More Social Work Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
