2027 Best Value Social Work Schools in Kentucky
[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social work students.
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2027 Best Value Social Work Schools in Kentucky
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the social work degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Social Work Schools
Our analysis ranked Northern Kentucky University the best value for a degree in social work in Kentucky. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,906 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $42,361. Set against $28,906 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #2 spot this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Social Work graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $31,692. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Brescia University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Owensboro, Brescia University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,550. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $49,254. Early-career social work graduates make about $42,368. Set against $49,254 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brescia University admits about 35% of applicants.
Morehead State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #4 spot this year. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Social Work graduates carry a median of $32,002 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $35,300 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Western Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $39,506. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $33,575 early in their careers. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Cumberlands placed #7 among the best values for social work. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,875. Students borrow a median of $22,868 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $50,547 early in their careers. Set against $22,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of The Cumberlands admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Louisville placed #8 among the best values for social work. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $25,209. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $40,876. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $26,875. Social Work graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $43,383 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,875 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Campbellsville University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,998. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,360 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Campbellsville University generally make around $40,399. That is a strong return on a $27,360 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Pikeville College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the town of Pikeville, Pikeville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $24,850 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $22,966. Social Work graduates of Pikeville College earn a median of $57,157 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Asbury University earned the #12 position for value in social work this year. Located in the town of Wilmore, Asbury University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,640. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $28,104. Social Work graduates of Asbury University earn a median of $50,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Asbury University admits about 63% of applicants.
Spalding University came in at #13 for value in social work this year. Spalding University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. Students from in state pay about $29,000 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $29,862. Social Work graduates of Spalding University earn a median of $48,073 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,862 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
