2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in Texas
[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 54 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social work students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in Texas
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 Texas. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Social Work graduates carry a median of $26,631 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $35,345. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #2 place for social work. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,227 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $18,336. Set against $6,227 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Social Work graduates carry a median of $31,701 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $41,295. That is a strong return on a $31,701 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Austin Community College District one of the best values for social work. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Social Work graduates carry a median of $17,922 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $34,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes The University Of Texas At Brownsville one of the best values for social work. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Students borrow a median of $10,550 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of The University Of Texas At Brownsville earn a median of $30,343 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,550 median debt.
El Paso Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #7 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,526 to complete the social work program here. 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%.
Tyler Junior College came in at #8 for value in social work this year. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $12,000. Social Work graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Howard College came in at #9 for value in social work this year. Howard College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Big Spring. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,766, with out-of-state students paying around $6,716. Social Work graduates carry a median of $14,242 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $41,039. That is a strong return on a $14,242 median debt.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,607 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $20,052. Early-career social work graduates make about $60,503. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Womans University earned the #11 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $40,340. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #12 position for value in social work this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the social work program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Houston Clear Lake earned the #13 position for value in social work this year. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,346, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $31,578. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $51,252. That is a strong return on a $31,578 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #14 position for value in social work this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $23,312. Early-career social work graduates make about $52,502. Set against $23,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Kingsville earned the #15 position for value in social work this year. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,268. Social Work graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $46,829 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,268 median debt. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
Jarvis Christian College placed #16 among the best values for social work. Located in the rural area of Hawkins, Jarvis Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,720. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $33,124. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Jarvis Christian College generally make around $30,308. Set against $33,124 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #17 among the best values for social work. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,313 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $40,572. Set against $25,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Lamar University came in at #18 for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $32,705 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $37,593. That is a strong return on a $32,705 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston placed #19 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $55,656. Set against $21,255 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Tyler ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,512 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $20,959. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $55,134. That is a strong return on a $20,959 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Midwestern State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $9,950, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. Students borrow a median of $35,135 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $39,215. Set against $35,135 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Texarkana placed #22 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of Texarkana, Texas A And M University Texarkana is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,349 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,680. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $25,270. Early-career social work graduates make about $44,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Angelo State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,178 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $38,771. That is a strong return on a $27,178 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas earned the #24 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $22,500. Early-career social work graduates make about $41,980. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Houston Downtown ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,582, compared with $17,434 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,186 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $37,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Social Work Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for social work this year:
More Social Work Rankings
View All Social Work Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.
