2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in Georgia
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social work students.
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2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in Georgia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social work, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Work Schools
Our analysis ranked Southern Regional Technical College the best value for a degree in social work in Georgia. Located in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,007 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $9,086. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $44,007. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Students borrow a median of $8,492 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Georgia Northwestern Technical College generally make around $41,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dalton State College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,336 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,656 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $14,955. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Dalton State College generally make around $41,654. Set against $14,955 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Athens Technical College one of 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. Early-career social work graduates make about $41,631. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Valdosta State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Students borrow a median of $28,661 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $51,453. That is a strong return on a $28,661 median debt. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Savannah State University landed the #6 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,750, with out-of-state students paying around $19,043. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $44,044. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Georgia earned the #7 position for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $24,314. Early-career social work graduates make about $39,078. That is a strong return on a $24,314 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Augusta University landed the #8 spot for social work value this year. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,414, with out-of-state students paying around $24,734. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Augusta University earn a median of $56,168 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Valley State University placed #9 among the best values for social work. Fort Valley State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fort Valley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,526, while out-of-state students pay about $16,878. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $37,875. Social Work graduates of Fort Valley State University earn a median of $26,299 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Middle Georgia State University came in at #10 for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Macon, Middle Georgia State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,038, with out-of-state students paying around $16,390. Social Work graduates carry a median of $26,976 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Middle Georgia State University earn a median of $48,207 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,976 median debt. Middle Georgia State University admits about 100% of applicants.
Georgia Military College Milledgeville ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia Military College Milledgeville is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,605. Students borrow a median of $17,033 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Georgia Military College Milledgeville earn a median of $29,788 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Albany State University landed the #12 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Albany, Albany State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,656, while out-of-state students pay about $17,008. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $31,000. Early-career social work graduates make about $46,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Social Work graduates carry a median of $30,533 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $37,370 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,533 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Kennesaw State University placed #14 among the best values for social work. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,004 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $48,078 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,004 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Thomas University earned the #15 position for value in social work this year. Set in the town of Thomasville, Thomas University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,640. Social Work graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Thomas University generally make around $59,773. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Clark Atlanta University earned the #16 position for value in social work this year. Clark Atlanta University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $28,310. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Clark Atlanta University earn a median of $35,100 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. Clark Atlanta University admits about 64% of applicants.
More Social Work Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
