2027 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region
[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong social work education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 57 schools to find the best return on investment for social work students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social work, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Work Schools
Leading the list is Texas A And M University Central Texas, our #1 best value for social work in the Southwest Region. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $26,631. Social Work graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $35,345 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at The University Of Texas At Brownsville, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,148, compared with $4,948 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $10,550. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $30,343. Set against $10,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #3 place for social work. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $6,227 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $18,336. That is a strong return on a $6,227 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at El Centro College, which ranked #4. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $31,701. Social Work graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $16,526 in student loans. Social Work graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $41,429 early in their careers. Set against $16,526 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Tulsa Community College landed the #6 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Students borrow a median of $10,038 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $41,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District landed the #7 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,922 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $34,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Antonio College earned the #8 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $11,839 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $37,855. That is a strong return on a $11,839 median debt.
El Paso Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
Tohono Oodham Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the rural area of Sells, Tohono Oodham Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $932. Median earnings reach $39,229 ten years out.
San Juan College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,910, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Social Work graduates carry a median of $16,150 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $41,697. That is a strong return on a $16,150 median debt.
South Plains College earned the #12 position for value in social work this year. South Plains College is a large public school located in the town of Levelland. Students from in state pay about $2,733 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,157 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $13,788 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $30,949. That is a strong return on a $13,788 median debt.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #13 for value in social work this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Social Work graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $41,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
East Central University placed #14 among the best values for social work. East Central University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ada. Students from in state pay about $8,032 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,842. Students borrow a median of $26,219 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from East Central University generally make around $42,103. Set against $26,219 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Central University admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of Houston Downtown earned the #15 position for value in social work this year. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,582, while out-of-state students pay about $17,434. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $24,186. Early-career social work graduates make about $37,365. Set against $24,186 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Western New Mexico University earned the #16 position for value in social work this year. Located in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,855, with out-of-state students paying around $14,341. Students borrow a median of $35,448 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $50,761. Set against $35,448 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #17 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Social Work graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Social Work graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $37,865 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Tyler Junior College landed the #18 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Lamar University came in at #19 for value in social work this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $32,705. Early-career social work graduates make about $37,593. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University came in at #20 for value in social work this year. Located in the town of Alva, Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,970, with out-of-state students paying around $11,664. Social Work graduates carry a median of $21,542 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $44,406. Set against $21,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #21 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $23,312 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $52,502. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Social Work graduates carry a median of $15,996 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.
Texas Womans University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Social Work graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $40,340. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
Mesa Community College came in at #24 for value in social work this year. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $54,730. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midwestern State University earned the #25 position for value in social work this year. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,950, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. Social Work graduates carry a median of $35,135 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $39,215. That is a strong return on a $35,135 median debt. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Work Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in social work:
Narrow Social Work Schools by State
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 57 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 57 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.
