2027 Best Value Social Work Schools in Massachusetts
[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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social work students.
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2027 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
For return on investment in social work, no school beat Bristol Community College this year. 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, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $6,433 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at Salem State University, which ranked #2. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $52,651 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Bridgewater State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #3 spot this year. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. In-state tuition and fees average $11,734, with out-of-state students paying around $17,874. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $51,697 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Westfield State University came in at #4 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,179, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,000. Early-career social work graduates make about $47,739. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned it the #5 place for social work. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Students borrow a median of $25,195 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $53,666. Set against $25,195 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Our Lady Of The Elms earned the #6 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. College Of Our Lady Of The Elms admits about 85% of applicants.
Boston University came in at #7 for value in social work this year. 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. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $57,991. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. 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. That is a strong return on a $27,947 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
Simmons College placed #9 among the best values for social work. Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Regis College landed the #10 spot for social work value this year. Located in the suburb of Weston, Regis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $49,680. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,441 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Regis College earn a median of $69,483 early in their careers. Set against $27,441 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Smith College came in at #11 for value in social work this year. Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Northampton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,178. Social Work graduates carry a median of $18,941 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Anna Maria College came in at #12 for value in social work this year. Set in the rural area of Paxton, Anna Maria College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,571. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $57,125. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Springfield College landed the #13 spot for social work value 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. Students borrow a median of $27,151 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Springfield College earn a median of $57,311 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,151 median debt. Springfield College admits about 72% of applicants.
Merrimack College landed the #14 spot for social work value this year. Located in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,962. Social Work graduates carry a median of $26,913 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $50,506. That is a strong return on a $26,913 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Boston College landed the #15 spot for social work value this year. Boston College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $70,702. Students borrow a median of $18,101 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Boston College earn a median of $56,920 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
