by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 110 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social work students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social work, balancing cost against outcomes.
South Central College earned the #1 spot for value among social work schools in the The Plains States Region. South Central College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of North Mankato. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,146. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $13,139. Early-career social work graduates make about $46,447. That is a strong return on a $13,139 median debt.
Minot State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Minot State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Minot. In-state tuition and fees average $8,702. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Minot State University generally make around $44,731. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at University Of Nebraska At Omaha, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,930 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $45,149. Set against $19,930 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oglala Lakota College earned it the #4 place for social work. Located in the rural area of Kyle, Oglala Lakota College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,684. Graduates go on to earn a median of $22,517 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cankdeska Cikana Community College earned it the #5 place for social work. Located in the rural area of Fort Totten, Cankdeska Cikana Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,950. Median earnings reach $17,008 ten years out.
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #6 for value in social work this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Social Work graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $42,241 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #7 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $23,741. Social Work graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $50,723 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Southern State University earned the #8 position for value in social work this year. Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. In-state tuition and fees average $9,600, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Students borrow a median of $25,983 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $27,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Fort Hays State University came in at #9 for value in social work this year. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $42,413. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Washburn University came in at #10 for value in social work this year. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. In-state tuition and fees average $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Social Work graduates carry a median of $24,623 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $45,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #11 for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,996 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $49,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Northern Iowa landed the #12 spot for social work value this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $22,847 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $44,780. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College landed the #13 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,161 in tuition and fees. Social Work graduates carry a median of $24,036 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Minneapolis Community And Technical College earn a median of $43,164 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,036 median debt.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Social Work graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $56,823. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Southwest Minnesota State University came in at #15 for value in social work this year. Set in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,361. Students borrow a median of $27,016 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Southwest Minnesota State University generally make around $46,368. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Park University came in at #16 for value in social work this year. Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Parkville. In-state tuition and fees average $12,116. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $49,077. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Missouri Western State University landed the #17 spot for social work value this year. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,545, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. Students borrow a median of $27,679 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Missouri Western State University generally make around $33,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Missouri State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,903 in tuition and fees. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,433 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $32,224. Set against $25,433 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Wichita State University landed the #19 spot for social work value this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $43,091. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Kansas ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $45,600. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri placed #21 among the best values for social work. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $26,579. Social Work graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $39,295 early in their careers. Set against $26,579 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Bemidji State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $47,192 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney came in at #23 for value in social work this year. University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kearney. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,564, compared with $16,484 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 University Of Nebraska At Kearney generally make around $39,218. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Winona State University placed #24 among the best values for social work. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $44,546. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University earned the #25 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,603 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $41,833. That is a strong return on a $24,603 median debt. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for social work this year:
This list is compiled 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 · 110 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.