2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in Oklahoma

[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social work students.
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2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in Oklahoma
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social work, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Work Schools
Tulsa Community College earned the #1 spot for value among social work schools in Oklahoma. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $10,038 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $41,718. That is a strong return on a $10,038 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City earned it the #2 place for social work. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,779 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,564. Students borrow a median of $18,726 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $45,580. Set against $18,726 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Central University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,032, with out-of-state students paying around $17,842. Social Work graduates carry a median of $26,219 in student loans. Social Work graduates of East Central University earn a median of $42,103 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Alva, Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,970, with out-of-state students paying around $11,664. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $22,438. Social Work graduates of Northwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $46,196 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,438 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Northeastern State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Social Work graduates carry a median of $30,785 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $43,407. That is a strong return on a $30,785 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $53,107. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.