Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

70 Ranked Colleges
640 Degrees Awarded
$37,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 56,762 social work students received their degree, making the major the 8th most popular in the country.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 640 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 70 colleges that offered a degree in social work. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality social work programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the social work program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

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

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Social Work (Income $0-$30k)

#1

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Washington University in St Louis. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 9 degrees to qualified doctorate’s social work students in 2019-2020.

WUSTL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Social Work Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Washington University in St Louis are $56,562, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at WUSTL

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 11 degrees to qualified doctorate’s social work students in 2019-2020.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Social Work Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at University of Chicago

#3

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#7 in overall quality

Out of the 70 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pennsylvania landed the #3 spot on the list. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s social work degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree social work students whose families make $0-$30k list, UPenn has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Social Work Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Pennsylvania are $41,760, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at University of Pennsylvania

#9 in overall quality

Out of the 70 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #4 spot on the list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 4 doctorate’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree social work students whose families make $0-$30k list, UW - Madison has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Social Work Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#5

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#23 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, this large public school awarded 4 degrees to qualified doctorate’s social work students in 2019-2020.

UNC Chapel Hill also made our “Best Social Work Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #23. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Chapel Hill are $30,248, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UNC Chapel Hill Social Work Report

#5 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. UC Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 4 doctorate’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley also made our “Best Social Work Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at University of California - Berkeley

#10 in overall quality

University of Washington - Seattle Campus came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a large public school situated in Seattle, Washington. It awarded 3 doctorate’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UW Seattle also made our “Best Social Work Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW Seattle are $30,294, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at UW Seattle

#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Social Work Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UIUC Social Work Report

#4 in overall quality

Columbia University in the City of New York ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. New York, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s social work degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

Columbia also took the #4 spot in our “Best Social Work Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia University in the City of New York are $51,194.

Read more about Social Work at Columbia

Florida International University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Florida International University is located in Miami, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s social work degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida International University are $24,211, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full FIU Social Work Report

#11

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#16 in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s social work degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Social Work Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at UCLA

#12

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#22 in overall quality

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UMN Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s social work degrees to qualified students.

UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Social Work Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities are $28,845, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Social Work Report

#13

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Florida State University is located in Tallahassee, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s social work degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State are $26,707.

Read more about Social Work at Florida State

#14

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Michigan State University is a large public school situated in East Lansing, Michigan. It awarded 4 doctorate’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State University are $37,056.

Read more about Social Work at Michigan State University

#15

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Boston College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 4 degrees to qualified doctorate’s social work students in 2019-2020.

Boston College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Social Work Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Boston College are $31,930.

Read full report on Social Work at Boston College

Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Ohio State is located in Columbus, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s social work degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at Ohio State

#17

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia

With a ranking of #17, University of Georgia did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. UGA is a public institution located in Athens, Georgia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Georgia are $27,476, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at University of Georgia

#18

Smith College

Northampton, Massachusetts

Smith College landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Northampton, Massachusetts, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Smith College are $53,940.

Full Smith Social Work Report

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. This large school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at IUPUI are $26,013, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

#20

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#1 in overall quality

University of Southern California did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. USC is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 152 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USC, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Social Work Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern California are $48,715, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Southern California Social Work Report

#21

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts
#8 in overall quality

Boston University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Boston U not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Social Work Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Boston U are $57,666.

Full Boston University Social Work Report

#13 in overall quality

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. This large school is located in Knoxville, Tennessee, and it awarded 25 doctorate’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Knoxville also took the #13 spot in our “Best Social Work Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Knoxville are $31,798, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #23, The University of Texas at Austin did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Austin, Texas, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Austin also made our “Best Social Work Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Austin are $22,886, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at UT Austin

#24

Tulane University of Louisiana

New Orleans, Louisiana

Tulane University of Louisiana came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Tulane is a fairly large school located in New Orleans, Louisiana that handed out 16 doctorate’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Tulane are $61,176, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Tulane Social Work Report

#25

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah

University of Utah came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Utah is a public institution located in Salt Lake City, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at U of U are $24,695, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full U of U 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.

Credits

Featured Social Work Schools

Find Schools Near You