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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value social work schools.
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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 Utah Valley University, our #1 best value for social work in Utah. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Social Work graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $44,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt.
Salt Lake Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #2 spot this year. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,855 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $42,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at Weber State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Social Work graduates carry a median of $18,497 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $42,754 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Utah University earned it the #4 place for social work. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $12,886. Social Work graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $44,998 early in their careers. Set against $12,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Social Work graduates carry a median of $16,132 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $42,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #6 position for value in social work this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $12,184. Social Work graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $52,074 early in their careers. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Utah earned the #7 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Social Work graduates carry a median of $15,038 in student loans. 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. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
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.