by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social work students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social work, balancing cost against outcomes.
Utah Valley University earned the #1 spot for value among social work schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $20,000. Early-career social work graduates make about $44,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at Brigham Young University Idaho, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Social Work graduates carry a median of $14,460 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $29,355. Set against $14,460 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
College Of Western Idaho came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. College Of Western Idaho is a very large public school located in the rural area of Nampa. Students from in state pay about $3,446 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,454. Students borrow a median of $12,497 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of College Of Western Idaho earn a median of $40,963 early in their careers.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Salt Lake Community College earned it the #4 place for social work. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Social Work graduates carry a median of $10,855 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. Set against $10,855 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Casper College earned it the #5 place for social work. Set in the city of Casper, Casper College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,410, with out-of-state students paying around $10,710. Social Work graduates carry a median of $12,598 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Casper College earn a median of $49,729 early in their careers. Set against $12,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Weber State University landed the #6 spot for social work value this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $18,497. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $42,754. Set against $18,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Utah University placed #7 among the best values for social work. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $12,886. Early-career social work graduates make about $44,998. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
Colorado State University Pueblo came in at #8 for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,720, while out-of-state students pay about $17,944. Students borrow a median of $28,785 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Colorado State University Pueblo generally make around $39,742. That is a strong return on a $28,785 median debt. Colorado State University Pueblo admits about 95% of applicants.
North Idaho College landed the #9 spot for social work value this year. Located in the city of Coeur d'Alene, North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,396 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Social Work graduates carry a median of $20,296 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $49,489. Set against $20,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wyoming earned the #10 position for value in social work this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Social Work graduates carry a median of $22,033 in student loans. Social Work graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $56,393 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,033 median debt. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Idaho State University came in at #11 for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,610, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $33,250. Social Work graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of $41,541 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Utah State University earned the #12 position for value in social work this year. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Students borrow a median of $16,132 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $42,491 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,132 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Mesa State College placed #13 among the best values for social work. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,927, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $42,254. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver placed #14 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,124, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,578 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $47,882. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Students borrow a median of $12,184 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $52,074. That is a strong return on a $12,184 median debt. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
Lewis Clark State College landed the #16 spot for social work value this year. Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lewiston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,610, while out-of-state students pay about $22,028. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $26,126. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Lewis Clark State College generally make around $35,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs came in at #17 for value in social work this year. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public school located in the city of Colorado Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $10,906, while out-of-state students pay about $25,039. Social Work graduates carry a median of $23,559 in student loans. Social Work graduates of University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earn a median of $52,626 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Utah placed #18 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $15,038 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $47,076 early in their careers. Set against $15,038 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Montana came in at #19 for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,552 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of $39,199 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #20 spot for social work value this year. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $23,387. Social Work graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $44,925 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Boise State University came in at #21 for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,048 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,788. Social Work graduates carry a median of $28,350 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $47,916. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Carroll College earned the #22 position for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Helena, Carroll College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,484. Social Work graduates carry a median of $24,912 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Carroll College generally make around $40,797. That is a strong return on a $24,912 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Nazarene University placed #23 among the best values for social work. Set in the suburb of Nampa, Northwest Nazarene University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,824. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,562 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $49,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Denver ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. In-state tuition and fees average $61,398. Social Work graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $51,342. Set against $22,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.