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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find the best return on investment for social work students.
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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.
Southern Regional Technical College tops our 2027 list of the best value social work schools in Georgia. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,007, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $9,086. Early-career social work graduates make about $44,007. Set against $9,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Northwestern Technical College earned it the #2 place for social work. 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. 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.
Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at Dalton State College, which ranked #3. Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dalton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,336, while out-of-state students pay about $10,656. 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. That is a strong return on a $14,955 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at Athens Technical College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Athens, Athens Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,390, compared with $5,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the social work program here. 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.
A rank of #5 makes Valdosta State University one of the best values for social work. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $28,661 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $51,453. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Fort Valley State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the town of Fort Valley, Fort Valley State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,526, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $37,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Savannah State University placed #7 among the best values for social work. Savannah State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Savannah. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,750, while out-of-state students pay about $19,043. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,000. Early-career social work graduates make about $44,044. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middle Georgia State University came in at #8 for value in social work this year. Middle Georgia State University is a large public school located in the city of Macon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,038, compared with $16,390 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $26,976. Social Work graduates of Middle Georgia State University earn a median of $48,207 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Albany State University landed the #9 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,008. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Albany State University earn a median of $46,601 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Georgia landed the #10 spot for social work value this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $24,314 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $39,078. Set against $24,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Augusta University earned the #11 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,414, while out-of-state students pay about $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. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Kennesaw State University earned the #12 position for value in social work this year. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,004. Social Work graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $48,078 early in their careers. Set against $27,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia State University came in at #13 for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Social Work graduates carry a median of $30,533 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $37,370. Set against $30,533 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Military College Milledgeville landed the #14 spot for social work value this year. Located in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia Military College Milledgeville is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,605. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $17,033. Social Work graduates of Georgia Military College Milledgeville earn a median of $29,788 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,033 median debt.
Thomas University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. 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. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $29,000. 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 came in at #16 for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Clark Atlanta University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.