2027 Best Value Social Work Schools in North Carolina
[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong social work education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social work students.
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2027 Best Value Social Work Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social work, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Work Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill the best value for a degree in social work in North Carolina. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, 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. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Social Work graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Social Work graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $39,033 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Elizabeth City State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,536, compared with $10,536 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,467 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $28,300. Set against $25,467 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Social Work graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $37,036. That is a strong return on a $30,000 median debt. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
Fayetteville State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,353, while out-of-state students pay about $8,353. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $32,500. Early-career social work graduates make about $36,417. That is a strong return on a $32,500 median debt. Fayetteville State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Western Carolina University landed the #6 spot for social work value this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,857 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $42,004. Set against $25,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Winston Salem State University came in at #7 for value in social work this year. Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,782. Social Work graduates carry a median of $28,537 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Winston Salem State University generally make around $29,617. That is a strong return on a $28,537 median debt. Winston Salem State University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #8 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $24,750. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $37,850. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
East Carolina University landed the #9 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $43,448 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina Central University came in at #10 for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,699, compared with $19,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from North Carolina Central University generally make around $38,543. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina Central University admits about 87% of applicants.
Appalachian State University came in at #11 for value in social work this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $22,184. Early-career social work graduates make about $40,115. Set against $22,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #12 spot for social work value this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Social Work graduates carry a median of $20,791 in student loans. Social Work graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $41,233 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,791 median debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earned the #13 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,277, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. Students borrow a median of $22,361 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $43,289 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Johnson C Smith University landed the #14 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Johnson C Smith University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,300. Social Work graduates carry a median of $41,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Johnson C Smith University generally make around $48,343. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Barton College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the town of Wilson, Barton College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,000. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Barton College generally make around $38,312. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Methodist University earned the #16 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Methodist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,250. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,604. Social Work graduates of Methodist University earn a median of $56,375 early in their careers. Set against $27,604 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
