2027 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southeast Region
[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong social work education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 126 schools to find the best return on investment for social work students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southeast Region
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 Florida Atlantic University this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $19,695. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $39,912. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Itawamba Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,420, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $10,942 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $40,832. Set against $10,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #3 spot this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $18,800. Early-career social work graduates make about $41,626. Set against $18,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Southern Regional Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,007, while out-of-state students pay about $5,575. Social Work graduates carry a median of $9,086 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Southern Regional Technical College earn a median of $44,007 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 Holmes Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,710, with out-of-state students paying around $6,610. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $10,831. Social Work graduates of Holmes Community College earn a median of $32,145 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #6 for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,875 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $43,978. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #7 position for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Social Work graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $49,662. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
University Of North Florida came in at #8 for value in social work this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,029 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $49,208. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College earned the #9 position for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,868. Students borrow a median of $8,492 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Georgia Northwestern Technical College earn a median of $41,229 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Mississippi Community College placed #10 among the best values for social work. Northwest Mississippi Community College is a large public school located in the town of Senatobia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,740. Social Work graduates carry a median of $9,990 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Northwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of $35,001 early in their careers. Set against $9,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earned the #11 position for value in social work this year. Located in the town of Helena, Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,380, compared with $4,550 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $5,500. Social Work graduates of Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earn a median of $45,190 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
The University Of West Florida landed the #12 spot for social work value this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $17,373. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $36,573. That is a strong return on a $17,373 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Central Florida earned the #13 position for value in social work this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans. Social Work graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $41,483 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $15,193 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $37,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Athens Technical College placed #15 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of Athens, Athens Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,390 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,958. Social Work graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Athens Technical College generally make around $41,631. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Kentucky University earned the #16 position for value in social work this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $28,906. Social Work graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $42,361 early in their careers. Set against $28,906 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Dalton State College placed #17 among the best values for social work. Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dalton. Students from in state pay about $3,336 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,656. Students borrow a median of $14,955 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Dalton State College generally make around $41,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marshall University came in at #18 for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $40,417. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
Elizabeth City State University landed the #19 spot for social work value this year. Set in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,536, while out-of-state students pay about $10,536. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,467 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Elizabeth City State University earn a median of $28,300 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,467 median debt. Elizabeth City State University admits about 64% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee Martin ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,560, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,653 in student loans. Social Work graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $34,240 early in their careers. Set against $25,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.
Coahoma Community College came in at #21 for value in social work this year. Located in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,490. Social Work graduates carry a median of $11,745 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $29,600. Set against $11,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Murray State University landed the #22 spot for social work value this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $28,000. Early-career social work graduates make about $31,692. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #23 among the best values for social work. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Social Work graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $39,033. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #24 for value in social work this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $18,837. Social Work graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $45,605 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,837 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Fayetteville State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,353, while out-of-state students pay about $8,353. Students borrow a median of $32,500 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Fayetteville State University generally make around $36,417. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Work Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for social work this year:
Narrow Social Work Schools by State
More Social Work Rankings
View All Social Work Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 126 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 126 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.
