2027 Best Value Social Work Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 64 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value social work schools.
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2027 Best Value Social Work Schools in the The Plains States Region
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
Our analysis ranked Saint Marys University Of Minnesota the best value for a degree in social work in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,080. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,081. Early-career social work graduates make about $69,785. That is a strong return on a $27,081 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes South Central College one of the best values for social work. Set in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,146 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $13,139. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from South Central College generally make around $46,447. Set against $13,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Haskell Indian Nations University one of the best values for social work. Located in the city of Lawrence, Haskell Indian Nations University is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $600. Early-career social work graduates make about $24,914. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes College Of The Ozarks one of the best values for social work. Located in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $22,360 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from College Of The Ozarks generally make around $32,701. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Fort Hays State University one of the best values for social work. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. 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. Early-career social work graduates make about $42,413. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Minot State University earned the #6 position for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,702. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Minot State University earn a median of $44,731 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minot State University admits about 65% of applicants.
Cankdeska Cikana Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the rural area of Fort Totten, Cankdeska Cikana Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,950. Graduates go on to earn a median of $17,008 ten years after entry.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned the #8 position for value in social work this year. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Social Work graduates carry a median of $19,930 in student loans. Social Work graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $45,149 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #9 spot for social work value this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Social Work graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $50,723. Set against $23,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Saint Cloud State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Students borrow a median of $27,996 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $49,595 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Southern State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Social Work graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $27,936 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,983 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Rochester Community And Technical College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rochester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,389. Social Work graduates carry a median of $20,291 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $47,439. Set against $20,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bemidji State University earned the #13 position for value in social work this year. Set in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,237 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $47,192. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Wichita State University landed the #14 spot for social work value this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $43,091 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #15 position for value in social work this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $21,577. Early-career social work graduates make about $56,823. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri earned the #16 position for value in social work this year. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Students borrow a median of $26,579 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $39,295. That is a strong return on a $26,579 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Southwest Minnesota State University placed #17 among the best values for social work. Set in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,361. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,016. 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. The acceptance rate is 62%.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,847 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $44,780 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,847 median debt. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Missouri St Louis placed #19 among the best values for social work. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $42,241. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Washburn University placed #20 among the best values for social work. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Social Work graduates carry a median of $24,623 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $45,820 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri Western State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,545, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,679 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Missouri Western State University earn a median of $33,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,679 median debt.
Metropolitan State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,840. Social Work graduates carry a median of $29,615 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Metropolitan State University generally make around $47,637. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Winona State University landed the #23 spot for social work value this year. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $44,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Pittsburg State University came in at #24 for value in social work this year. Located in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $38,288 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Pittsburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kearney. Students from in state pay about $8,564 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $24,000. Social Work graduates of University Of Nebraska At Kearney earn a median of $39,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Work Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s social work value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 64 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 64 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.
