by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 36 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value social work schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the social work degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Bristol Community College, our #1 best value for social work in the New England Region. Bristol Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fall River. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,832, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. Social Work graduates carry a median of $6,433 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $37,897. Set against $6,433 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rhode Island College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $24,100. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $44,249. Set against $24,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Capital Community College one of the best values for social work. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. Social Work graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $29,555. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at Community College Of Rhode Island, which ranked #4. Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public school located in the city of Warwick. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $14,834. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $13,940. Early-career social work graduates make about $39,680. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Maine At Presque Isle came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the rural area of Presque Isle, University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,402, while out-of-state students pay about $14,862. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $23,434. Social Work graduates of University Of Maine At Presque Isle earn a median of $41,148 early in their careers. Set against $23,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maine At Presque Isle admits about 100% of applicants.
Salem State University earned the #6 position for value in social work this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,338, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $52,651. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Bridgewater State University placed #7 among the best values for social work. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. In-state tuition and fees average $11,734, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. 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.
Charter Oak State College earned the #8 position for value in social work this year. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,506. Students borrow a median of $23,584 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $62,864. That is a strong return on a $23,584 median debt.
University Of Southern Maine landed the #9 spot for social work value this year. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $22,610 in student loans. Social Work graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $44,316 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
Westfield State University ranked #10 on our 2027 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,259. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Westfield State University generally make around $47,739. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Central Connecticut State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,050 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,550 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $24,844. Early-career social work graduates make about $37,519. Set against $24,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Connecticut State University admits about 73% of applicants.
Western Connecticut State University landed the #12 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Danbury, Western Connecticut State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,401, while out-of-state students pay about $16,901. Social Work graduates carry a median of $24,527 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Western Connecticut State University generally make around $33,033. Set against $24,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Connecticut State University admits about 87% of applicants.
College Of Our Lady Of The Elms came in at #13 for value in social work this year. Located in the suburb of Chicopee, College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $43,325. Social Work graduates carry a median of $31,682 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $40,161. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Maine landed the #14 spot for social work value this year. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $26,154. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $46,950. That is a strong return on a $26,154 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #15 for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,947 in student loans. Social Work graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $45,227 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,947 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #16 spot for social work value this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $25,195. Social Work graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,666 early in their careers. Set against $25,195 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Vermont placed #17 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,058, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $20,000. Early-career social work graduates make about $43,494. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Vermont admits about 65% of applicants.
Southern Connecticut State University came in at #18 for value in social work this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,442 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,942. Students borrow a median of $23,935 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of $44,207 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Plymouth State University earned the #19 position for value in social work this year. Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Plymouth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,626, compared with $25,566 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $41,451. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Plymouth State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Boston University placed #20 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $57,991. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Eastern Connecticut State University came in at #21 for value in social work this year. Located in the town of Willimantic, Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,928, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. Social Work graduates carry a median of $22,325 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Eastern Connecticut State University earn a median of $29,471 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,325 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus came in at #22 for value in social work this year. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,202, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,000. Social Work graduates of University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earn a median of $45,337 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $23,637 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $55,081. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Simmons College earned the #24 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $46,874. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Simmons College generally make around $45,268. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Regis College placed #25 among the best values for social work. Regis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Weston. In-state tuition and fees average $49,680. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,441. Social Work graduates of Regis College earn a median of $69,483 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,441 median debt. Regis College admits about 70% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in social work:
This list is compiled 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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.