2027 Best Value Social Work Schools in Iowa
[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong social work education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social work students.
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2027 Best Value Social Work Schools in Iowa
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
For return on investment in social work, no school beat University Of Northern Iowa this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Social Work graduates carry a median of $22,847 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $44,780. That is a strong return on a $22,847 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Loras College earned it the #2 place for social work. Located in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,824. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Loras College generally make around $43,117. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at Grand View University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,762 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,837 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Grand View University earn a median of $40,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Iowa earned it the #4 place for social work. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $25,180 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,180 median debt. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Luther College one of the best values for social work. Located in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,120. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,000. Early-career social work graduates make about $30,372. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Briar Cliff University came in at #6 for value in social work this year. Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,642. Social Work graduates carry a median of $37,564 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Briar Cliff University generally make around $42,935. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clarke University placed #7 among the best values for social work. Set in the city of Dubuque, Clarke University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,910. Social Work graduates carry a median of $26,895 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $46,552. Set against $26,895 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Ambrose University landed the #8 spot for social work value this year. Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Davenport. In-state tuition and fees average $36,658. Students borrow a median of $27,528 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Saint Ambrose University earn a median of $47,344 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,528 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Dordt College came in at #9 for value in social work this year. Set in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,050. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $21,812. Social Work graduates of Dordt College earn a median of $54,926 early in their careers. Set against $21,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Wartburg College earned the #10 position for value in social work this year. Set in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $26,250 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $26,793. Early-career social work graduates make about $46,918. That is a strong return on a $26,793 median debt. Wartburg College admits about 76% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
