2027 Best Value Social Work Schools in Minnesota
[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools to find the best return on investment for social work students.
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2027 Best Value Social Work Schools in Minnesota
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social work, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Work Schools
Our analysis ranked Saint Marys University Of Minnesota the best value for a degree in social work in Minnesota. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. Students from in state pay about $45,080 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,081 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn a median of $69,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Students looking for strong value in social work will find it at South Central College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,146 in tuition and fees. Social Work graduates carry a median of $13,139 in student loans. Social Work graduates of South Central College earn a median of $46,447 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Cloud State University earned it the #3 place for social work. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,996 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $49,595. That is a strong return on a $27,996 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Rochester Community And Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,389. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $20,291. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Rochester Community And Technical College generally make around $47,439. That is a strong return on a $20,291 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bemidji State University earned it the #5 place for social work. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,237. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social work program here. 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. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #6 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. 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. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Southwest Minnesota State University placed #7 among the best values for social work. Located in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,361 in tuition and fees. 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. Set against $27,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Metropolitan State University came in at #8 for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,840. Students borrow a median of $29,615 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $47,637. Set against $29,615 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Metropolitan State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Winona State University placed #9 among the best values for social work. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $44,546. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Capella University earned the #10 position for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400. Social Work graduates carry a median of $35,998 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Capella University generally make around $80,985. Set against $35,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota State University Moorhead placed #11 among the best values for social work. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Moorhead. In-state tuition and fees average $10,428. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $43,471. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%.
University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #12 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $23,111. Early-career social work graduates make about $44,276. That is a strong return on a $23,111 median debt. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $50,207 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
St Catherine University landed the #14 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,428. Students borrow a median of $30,912 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of St Catherine University earn a median of $44,257 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Augsburg College landed the #15 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,452 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $25,737. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Augsburg College generally make around $51,340. Set against $25,737 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
St Olaf College placed #16 among the best values for social work. St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,760. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $45,146. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia College At Moorhead ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the suburb of Moorhead, Concordia College At Moorhead is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,170. Social Work graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $44,611. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of Saint Scholastica ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Duluth, The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,778. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $37,059. Early-career social work graduates make about $48,361. Set against $37,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The College Of Saint Scholastica admits about 93% of applicants.
Bethel University Minnesota earned the #19 position for value in social work this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,226 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of $45,259 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Social Work graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. Social Work graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $65,989 early in their careers. Set against $23,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Walden University landed the #21 spot for social work value this year. Walden University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $11,067 in tuition and fees. Social Work graduates carry a median of $52,808 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $68,376. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
More Social Work Rankings
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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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
