2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in Massachusetts
[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social work students.
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2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in Massachusetts
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social work, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Work Schools
Bristol Community College earned the #1 spot for value among social work schools in Massachusetts. Set in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,832, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,433 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $37,897. Set against $6,433 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bridgewater State University earned it the #2 place for social work. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $51,697. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,947. Early-career social work graduates make about $45,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at Salem State University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,000. Early-career social work graduates make about $52,651. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at Westfield State University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,179, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $47,739. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #6 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $53,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Our Lady Of The Elms earned the #7 position for value in social work this year. Set in the suburb of Chicopee, College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Smith College earned the #8 position for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,178. Students borrow a median of $18,941 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Smith College earn a median of $53,525 early in their careers. Set against $18,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University earned the #9 position for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $25,232. 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. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Simmons College came in at #10 for value in social work this year. Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,874. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,000. Early-career social work graduates make about $45,268. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Regis College placed #11 among the best values for social work. Set in the suburb of Weston, Regis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $49,680 in tuition and fees. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Springfield College earned the #12 position for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,974 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,151. Social Work graduates of Springfield College earn a median of $57,311 early in their careers. Set against $27,151 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Anna Maria College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Anna Maria College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Paxton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,571. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Anna Maria College generally make around $57,125. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Anna Maria College admits about 50% of applicants.
Lesley University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,256. Social Work graduates carry a median of $24,818 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Lesley University earn a median of $48,287 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lesley University admits about 97% of applicants.
Merrimack College landed the #15 spot for social work value this year. Set in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,962. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $26,913. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Merrimack College generally make around $50,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Merrimack College admits about 70% of applicants.
Boston College placed #16 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,702. Social Work graduates carry a median of $18,101 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Boston College generally make around $56,920. That is a strong return on a $18,101 median debt. Boston College admits about 16% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
