2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in the New England Region
[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 49 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social work students.
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2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social work, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Work Schools
Bristol Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value social work schools in the New England Region. Set in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,832 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,776. Social Work graduates carry a median of $6,433 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $37,897. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Capital Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $12,059. Social Work graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $29,555 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Community College Of Rhode Island earned it the #3 place for social work. Set in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, compared with $14,834 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,940 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $39,680. That is a strong return on a $13,940 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rhode Island College earned it the #4 place for social work. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Social Work graduates carry a median of $24,100 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $44,249 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,100 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Central Connecticut State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,050, with out-of-state students paying around $16,550. Students borrow a median of $24,844 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $37,519 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,844 median debt. Central Connecticut State University admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of Southern Maine earned the #6 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $22,610. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $44,316. That is a strong return on a $22,610 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Bridgewater State University came in at #7 for value in social work this year. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $51,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Salem State University placed #8 among the best values for social work. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,338, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $52,651. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Westfield State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Westfield. Students from in state pay about $12,179 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,259 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,000. Social Work graduates of Westfield State University earn a median of $47,739 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Boston earned the #10 position for value in social work this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,947 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $45,227 early in their careers. Set against $27,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine earned the #11 position for value in social work this year. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $26,154. Early-career social work graduates make about $46,950. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Western Connecticut State University came in at #12 for value in social work this year. Western Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Danbury. In-state tuition and fees average $13,401, with out-of-state students paying around $16,901. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $24,527. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Western Connecticut State University generally make around $33,033. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Connecticut State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Eastern Connecticut State University landed the #13 spot for social work value this year. Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willimantic. In-state tuition and fees average $13,928, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $22,325. Early-career social work graduates make about $29,471. Set against $22,325 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Connecticut State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Plymouth State University earned the #14 position for value in social work this year. Set in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,626, compared with $25,566 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $41,451. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Vermont landed the #15 spot for social work value this year. University Of Vermont is a large public school located in the city of Burlington. In-state tuition and fees average $19,058, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $20,000. Social Work graduates of University Of Vermont earn a median of $43,494 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Southern Connecticut State University came in at #16 for value in social work this year. Southern Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the city of New Haven. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,442, compared with $16,942 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $23,935 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $44,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Connecticut ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Social Work graduates carry a median of $23,637 in student loans. Social Work graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $55,081 early in their careers. Set against $23,637 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #18 among the best values for social work. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,543 early in their careers. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
College Of Our Lady Of The Elms earned the #19 position for value in social work this year. College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Chicopee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,325. Social Work graduates carry a median of $31,682 in student loans. Social Work graduates of College Of Our Lady Of The Elms earn a median of $40,161 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of Our Lady Of The Elms admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus came in at #20 for value in social work this year. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,202, while out-of-state students pay about $39,852. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $45,337. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus admits about 88% of applicants.
Boston University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $57,991. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Saint Josephs College Of Maine placed #22 among the best values for social work. Saint Josephs College Of Maine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Standish. In-state tuition and fees average $44,420. Students borrow a median of $26,625 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Saint Josephs College Of Maine earn a median of $67,463 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,625 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Smith College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,178. Students borrow a median of $18,941 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Smith College generally make around $53,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Simmons College placed #24 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $46,874 in tuition and fees. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Simmons College earn a median of $45,268 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Joseph College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Saint Joseph College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of West Hartford. In-state tuition and fees average $47,278. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Saint Joseph College generally make around $54,801. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Social Work Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in social work:
Narrow Social Work Schools by State
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
