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2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

18 Ranked Colleges
791 Degrees Awarded
$14,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Social Work Schools for a Bachelor's in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Social Work is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 8th of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 56,762 degrees were awarded to students with this major.

Across Illinois, there were 2,650 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 791 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,319 and $24,183 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 18 colleges that offer a degree in social work. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great social work programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the social work program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Social Work Schools

The social work school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Social Work Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois bachelor’s degree social work students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 18 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Social Work (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 78 bachelors’s social work degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UIUC is $5,477 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Social Work at UIUC

#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Edwardsville, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 38 degrees to qualified bachelors’s social work students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SIUE, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SIUE is $8,055 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Social Work at SIUE

#3

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Governors State University landed the #3 spot on the list. GSU is a small school located in University Park, Illinois that handed out 44 bachelors’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

GSU also made our “Best Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $10,872 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Governors State University.

Full GSU Social Work Report

#4

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Aurora University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. Aurora University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Aurora, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 141 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Aurora did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Aurora University is $14,103 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at Aurora University

#5

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Western Illinois University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Western Illinois University is a medium-sized public school situated in Macomb, Illinois. It awarded 39 bachelors’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WIU, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $13,942 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend WIU.

Read full report on Social Work at WIU

#6

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#4 in overall quality

Illinois State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Illinois State University is a large school located in Normal, Illinois that handed out 51 bachelors’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State also made our “Best Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend Illinois State University is $14,470 for illinois bachelor’s degree social work students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at Illinois State

#12 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Springfield came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Springfield, Illinois, and it awarded 19 bachelors’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UIS also took the #12 spot in our “Best Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $9,771 for illinois bachelor’s degree social work students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Illinois at Springfield.

Full UIS Social Work Report

#10 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SIUC is a fairly large school located in Carbondale, Illinois that handed out 47 bachelors’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois bachelor’s degree social work students whose families make $0-$30k list, SIUC has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Southern Illinois University Carbondale is $13,658 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Social Work at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Northeastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 132 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s social work students in 2019-2020.

Northeastern Illinois University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $14,816 for illinois bachelor’s degree social work students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northeastern Illinois University.

Full Northeastern Illinois University Social Work Report

#10

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

Bradley University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Bradley University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Peoria, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 20 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Bradley, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bradley is $17,205 for illinois bachelor’s degree social work students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Work at Bradley University

#11

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois
#14 in overall quality

University of St Francis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. University of St Francis is a private not-for-profit institution located in Joliet, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 11 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Saint Francis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Saint Francis is $15,847 for illinois bachelor’s degree social work students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Saint Francis Social Work Report

#12

Saint Augustine College

Chicago, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

Saint Augustine College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Saint Augustine College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 25 bachelors’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois bachelor’s degree social work students whose families make $0-$30k list, St. Augustine College has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $11,691 for illinois bachelor’s degree social work students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Saint Augustine College.

Read more about Social Work at Saint Augustine College

#13

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Millikin University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Decatur, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 10 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s social work students in 2019-2020.

Millikin also made our “Best Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #15. It costs about $17,656 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Millikin.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Social Work at Millikin University

#14

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Olivet Nazarene University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Bourbonnais, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s social work degrees to 21 students in 2019-2020.

Olivet Nazarene not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $15,806 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Olivet Nazarene.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Olivet Nazarene University Social Work Report

#15

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois
#16 in overall quality

National Louis University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. NLU is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 bachelors’s social work degrees to qualified students.

NLU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for National Louis University is $14,178 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full National Louis University Social Work Report

#16

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois
#18 in overall quality

Concordia University, Chicago came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. River Forest, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s social work degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

Concordia University, Chicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Concordia University, Chicago is $14,097 for illinois bachelor’s degree social work students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Social Work at Concordia University, Chicago

#17

Trinity Christian College

Palos Heights, Illinois
#17 in overall quality

Trinity Christian College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Palos Heights, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s social work students in 2019-2020.

Trinity Christian did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Trinity Christian is $16,611 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Trinity Christian Social Work Report

#18

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

Loyola University Chicago landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Loyola Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 44 bachelors’s social work degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Loyola Chicago, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $29,440 for illinois bachelor’s degree social work students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Loyola University Chicago.

The low student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Loyola Chicago Social Work Report

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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