2027 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 39 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value social work schools.
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2027 Best Value Social Work Schools in Texas
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the social work degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Social Work Schools
Texas A And M University Central Texas tops our 2027 list of the best value social work schools in Texas. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $26,631 in student loans. 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%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At Brownsville earned it the #2 place for social work. The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public school located in the city of Brownsville. 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. Social Work graduates of The University Of Texas At Brownsville earn a median of $30,343 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Social Work graduates carry a median of $6,227 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $18,336. Set against $6,227 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at El Centro College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,701 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. That is a strong return on a $31,701 median debt.
Austin Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #5 spot this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $17,922. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $34,003. Set against $17,922 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #6 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $16,526 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $41,429. That is a strong return on a $16,526 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
San Antonio College came in at #7 for value in social work this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $11,839. Early-career social work graduates make about $37,855. Set against $11,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Paso Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $8,542. Social Work graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Plains College landed the #9 spot for social work value this year. Located in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,733 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,157. Students borrow a median of $13,788 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $30,949. Set against $13,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Houston Downtown landed the #10 spot for social work value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,434. Students borrow a median of $24,186 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Houston Downtown generally make around $37,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Tyler Junior College came in at #11 for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. 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. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #12 spot for social work value this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Social Work graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $37,865. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Lamar University came in at #13 for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Social Work graduates carry a median of $32,705 in student loans. 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.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #14 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Social Work graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $52,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Womans University came in at #15 for value in social work this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $24,000. Social Work graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $40,340 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Midwestern State University placed #16 among the best values for social work. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Midwestern State University generally make around $39,215. That is a strong return on a $35,135 median debt. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Students borrow a median of $25,313 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $40,572. That is a strong return on a $25,313 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #18 for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $60,503. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #19 spot for social work value this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $21,546. Social Work graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $44,694 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Houston landed the #20 spot for social work value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Social Work graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $55,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Texas A And M University Kingsville earned the #21 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,892, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,268. Early-career social work graduates make about $46,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
Prairie View A And M University earned the #22 position for value in social work this year. Located in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,299, while out-of-state students pay about $26,874. Students borrow a median of $31,750 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Prairie View A And M University earn a median of $40,667 early in their careers. Set against $31,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Prairie View A And M University admits about 79% of applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Social Work graduates carry a median of $30,543 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $41,609 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,543 median debt. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of North Texas came in at #24 for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $41,980. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Angelo State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,178 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Angelo State University generally make around $38,771. That is a strong return on a $27,178 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value Social Work Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in social work:
More Social Work Rankings
View All Social Work Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 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.
