by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value social work schools.
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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.
Leading the list is Mary Baldwin College, our #1 best value for social work in Virginia. Set in the city of Staunton, Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,187. Social Work graduates carry a median of $33,375 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $37,537. Set against $33,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Radford University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,548, with out-of-state students paying around $25,633. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $26,000. Social Work graduates of Radford University earn a median of $44,071 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.
George Mason University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $24,188. Early-career social work graduates make about $50,675. Set against $24,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Norfolk State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,682. Social Work graduates of Norfolk State University earn a median of $53,070 early in their careers. Norfolk State University admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Virginia Union University one of the best values for social work. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Union University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,830. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $30,593. Early-career social work graduates make about $25,910. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Virginia State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,043, compared with $22,650 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $28,527. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Longwood University placed #7 among the best values for social work. Set in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,740, compared with $27,980 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $26,419 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Longwood University generally make around $41,160. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Christopher Newport University landed the #8 spot for social work value this year. Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Newport News. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,828, compared with $31,178 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $25,492. Social Work graduates of Christopher Newport University earn a median of $41,656 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,492 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
James Madison University earned the #9 position for value in social work this year. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $18,989. Social Work graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $31,687 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.
Virginia Commonwealth University earned the #10 position for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $42,898 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University came in at #11 for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $29,000. Early-career social work graduates make about $38,828. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.