2027 Best Value Social Work Schools in New York
[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.
College Factual analyzed 32 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value social work schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Social Work Schools in New York
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the social work degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Social Work Schools
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2027 list of the best value social work schools in New York. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $9,608 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $51,407. Set against $9,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny College Of Staten Island earned it the #3 place for social work. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Social Work graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $45,172. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny York College one of the best values for social work. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career social work graduates make about $52,381. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Medgar Evers College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #5 spot this year. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,352, compared with $15,302 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $15,096 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $44,311. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Mercy College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry. Students from in state pay about $22,880 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Mercy College earn a median of $39,373 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Suny College At Buffalo landed the #7 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,312 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $39,695 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Brockport landed the #8 spot for social work value this year. Located in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,752, while out-of-state students pay about $15,822. Social Work graduates carry a median of $23,354 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Suny College At Brockport generally make around $44,947. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Suny At Albany earned the #9 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Social Work graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $43,129 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
Suny College At Plattsburgh earned the #10 position for value in social work this year. Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Plattsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,035, compared with $18,945 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,990 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Suny College At Plattsburgh generally make around $24,676. That is a strong return on a $23,990 median debt. Suny College At Plattsburgh admits about 78% of applicants.
Suny At Fredonia landed the #11 spot for social work value this year. Set in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,831, while out-of-state students pay about $19,771. Students borrow a median of $24,340 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Suny At Fredonia earn a median of $28,723 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Niagara University earned the #12 position for value in social work this year. Located in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,345. Social Work graduates carry a median of $26,208 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Niagara University earn a median of $51,918 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Niagara University admits about 87% of applicants.
Stony Brook University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Students borrow a median of $23,981 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $51,751. That is a strong return on a $23,981 median debt. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #14 position for value in social work this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $59,891 early in their careers. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Daemen College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Daemen College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Amherst. Students from in state pay about $35,218 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Daemen College generally make around $49,949. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Daemen College admits about 68% of applicants.
University At Buffalo earned the #16 position for value in social work this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $22,232. Social Work graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $50,711 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Saint Josephs College New York came in at #17 for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,550. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,485 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Saint Josephs College New York earn a median of $49,214 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,485 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Suny At Binghamton came in at #18 for value in social work this year. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,567, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $20,691 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $52,793. That is a strong return on a $20,691 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Roberts Wesleyan College came in at #19 for value in social work this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Roberts Wesleyan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,826. Social Work graduates carry a median of $26,596 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Roberts Wesleyan College generally make around $43,094. That is a strong return on a $26,596 median debt. Roberts Wesleyan College admits about 71% of applicants.
Keuka College earned the #20 position for value in social work this year. Located in the town of Keuka Park, Keuka College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,332. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $40,593. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Keuka College generally make around $45,760. Set against $40,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Iona College earned the #21 position for value in social work this year. Located in the suburb of New Rochelle, Iona College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,260. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $25,749. Early-career social work graduates make about $51,530. That is a strong return on a $25,749 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Nazareth College earned the #22 position for value in social work this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Nazareth College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,210. Social Work graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $44,934. That is a strong return on a $26,250 median debt. Nazareth College admits about 75% of applicants.
Touro College placed #23 among the best values for social work. Touro College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,052. Social Work graduates carry a median of $20,285 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Touro College generally make around $58,117. Set against $20,285 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Adelphi University landed the #24 spot for social work value this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,775. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Adelphi University earn a median of $55,681 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Adelphi University admits about 66% of applicants.
Skidmore College came in at #25 for value in social work this year. Skidmore College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $67,140. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $18,274. Early-career social work graduates make about $34,440. Set against $18,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Skidmore College admits about 21% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 32 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
