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.
College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value social work schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the social work degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked College Of The Ozarks the best value for a degree in social work in Missouri. College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Point Lookout. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,360. Social Work graduates of College Of The Ozarks earn a median of $32,701 early in their careers. College Of The Ozarks admits about 12% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri Kansas City earned it the #2 place for social work. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
A rank of #3 makes Missouri Southern State University one of the best values for social work. Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. Students from in state pay about $9,600 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,983 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $27,936. That is a strong return on a $25,983 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Central Missouri one of the best values for social work. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $26,579. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $39,295. Set against $26,579 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Missouri Western State University came in at #5 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,545, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,679. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Missouri Western State University generally make around $33,532. That is a strong return on a $27,679 median debt.
University Of Missouri St Louis ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $31,000. Social Work graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $42,241 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
Southeast Missouri State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,433 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $32,224. Set against $25,433 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Avila University placed #8 among the best values for social work. Set in the city of Kansas City, Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,200 in tuition and fees. Social Work graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $51,234. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #9 for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,085 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $41,349 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,085 median debt. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #10 among the best values for social work. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Students borrow a median of $23,119 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $44,434 early in their careers. Set against $23,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Park University placed #11 among the best values for social work. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,116. Social Work graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Park University generally make around $49,077. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washington University In St Louis landed the #12 spot for social work value this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Social Work graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $50,855 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis earned the #13 position for value in social work this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,166. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $24,499. Early-career social work graduates make about $67,909. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Louis University Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for social work. Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,760. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $22,875. Early-career social work graduates make about $48,270. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Louis University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Missouri Baptist University landed the #15 spot for social work value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,122. Students borrow a median of $27,337 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Missouri Baptist University earn a median of $45,270 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,337 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.