by our College Data Analytics Team
[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong social work education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 7 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.
Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #1 spot for value among social work schools in Idaho. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Students borrow a median of $14,460 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $29,355. Set against $14,460 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at College Of Western Idaho, which ranked #2. College Of Western Idaho is a very large public school located in the rural area of Nampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,446, while out-of-state students pay about $7,454. Students borrow a median of $12,497 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from College Of Western Idaho generally make around $40,963.
North Idaho College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. 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. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $20,296. Social Work graduates of North Idaho College earn a median of $49,489 early in their careers. Set against $20,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at Idaho State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,610, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Students borrow a median of $33,250 to complete the social work program here. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lewis Clark State College earned it the #5 place for social work. Located in the city of Lewiston, Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,610, compared with $22,028 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $26,126 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Lewis Clark State College earn a median of $35,456 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,126 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Boise State University earned the #6 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Students borrow a median of $28,350 to complete the social work program here. 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%.
Northwest Nazarene University came in at #7 for value in social work this year. Set in the suburb of Nampa, Northwest Nazarene University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,824. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,562 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Northwest Nazarene University generally make around $49,137. That is a strong return on a $27,562 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
The ranking above is published 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.