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2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

83 Ranked Colleges
10,126 Degrees Awarded
$8,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Social Work is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 9th of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 57,401 degrees were awarded to students with this major.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 10,126 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 83 colleges that offered 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the social work program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” 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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region social work students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Social Work (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social work degrees to 175 students in 2020-2021.

UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UChicago is $4,777 for great lakes region social work students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Social Work at University of Chicago

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 403 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

U-M also took the #2 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $5,670 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend U-M.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Social Work at U-M

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 208 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Madison is $4,788 for great lakes region social work students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at UW - Madison

4

Out of the 83 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis landed the #4 spot on the list. IUPUI is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 617 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

IUPUI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend IUPUI is $8,216 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

5

Out of the 83 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school handed out 226 diplomas to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.

UIUC also made our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $8,036 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UIUC.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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 UIUC

6

Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this large public school handed out 526 degrees to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.

Ohio State also made our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $8,581 for great lakes region social work students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at Ohio State University - Main Campus

7

Indiana University - South Bend did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in South Bend, Indiana, this small public school awarded 47 diplomas to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - South Bend is $6,544 for great lakes region social work students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Social Work at Indiana University - South Bend

8

With a ranking of #8, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school awarded 27 diplomas to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,061 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Indiana University - Bloomington.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Indiana University - Bloomington Social Work Report

9

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. University of Illinois at Chicago is a large public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 251 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

UIC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UIC is $11,351 for great lakes region social work students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%.

Full UIC Social Work Report

10

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school handed out 108 diplomas to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.

UW - Eau Claire did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UW - Eau Claire is $10,658 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full UW - Eau Claire Social Work Report

11
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Ball State is a public institution located in Muncie, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 81 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Ball State also made our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend Ball State is $10,786 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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%.

Full Ball State University Social Work Report

12
IU East crest
Indiana University - East
Richmond, Indiana

Indiana University - East ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Richmond, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 15 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend IU East is $6,831 for great lakes region social work students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Social Work at IU East

13

Indiana University - Northwest landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Indiana University - Northwest is a small public school situated in Gary, Indiana. It awarded 35 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Northwest is $3,534 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Social Work at Indiana University - Northwest

14
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Oakland is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 68 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Oakland is $8,839 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Oakland University Social Work Report

15

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Whitewater, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school handed out 119 degrees to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Whitewater, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $10,390 for great lakes region social work students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Whitewater.

Full University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Social Work Report

16
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Detroit, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 453 students in 2020-2021.

Wayne State also made our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend Wayne State University is $11,414 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Social Work at Wayne State

17
Aurora crest
Aurora University
Aurora, Illinois

Aurora University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Aurora, Illinois, and it awarded 712 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

Aurora did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $13,273 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Aurora.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Aurora Social Work Report

18

University of Illinois at Springfield did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. University of Illinois at Springfield is a small public school situated in Springfield, Illinois. It awarded 20 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Springfield is $8,482 for great lakes region social work students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UIS Social Work Report

19

With a ranking of #19, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school handed out 57 diplomas to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region social work students whose families make $30-$48k list, UW - Stevens Point has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Stevens Point is $9,052 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Social Work at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

20

With a ranking of #20, University of Wisconsin - Superior did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UW - Superior is a small school located in Superior, Wisconsin that handed out 22 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Superior is $10,068 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Social Work at UW - Superior

21

Youngstown State University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Youngstown, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 164 diplomas to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $9,972 for great lakes region social work students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Youngstown State University.

Read full report on Social Work at Youngstown State University

22

University of Wisconsin - River Falls ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in River Falls, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school handed out 24 degrees to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - River Falls is $9,478 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at University of Wisconsin - River Falls

23

Grand Valley State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. GVSU is located in Allendale, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 227 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

GVSU also made our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $11,026 for great lakes region social work students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Grand Valley State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 Grand Valley State University

24
Stark State College crest
Stark State College
North Canton, Ohio

Stark State College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. Stark State College is located in North Canton, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 29 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Stark State College is $7,437 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Social Work at Stark State College

25

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 64 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for SIUE is $8,825 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Social Work Report

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