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2022 Best Value Colleges for Social Work (Income $30-$48k) in Illinois

25 Ranked Colleges
2,650 Degrees Awarded
$13,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois 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. 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 in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 25 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Social Work (Income $30-$48k) in Illinois

#1

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #1 spot on the list. University of Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 210 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also took the #1 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Chicago is $2,800 for illinois social work students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full University of Chicago Social Work Report

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 #2 for the Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. UIUC is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 232 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC also took the #2 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $8,464 for Illinois 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 school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#3

Lake Land College

Mattoon, Illinois

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Lake Land College landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Mattoon, Illinois, this small public school awarded 18 diplomas to qualified ’s social work students in 2019-2020.

Lake Land College also made our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $4,007 for Illinois Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Lake Land College.

Full Lake Land College Social Work Report

#4

Southwestern Illinois College

Belleville, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Southwestern Illinois College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. This medium-sized school is located in Belleville, Illinois, and it awarded 10 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SWIC, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $6,762 for illinois social work students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend SWIC.

Read full report on Social Work at Southwestern Illinois College

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Chicago. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school awarded 248 diplomas to qualified ’s social work students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois social work students whose families make $30-$48k list, UIC has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $11,185 for Illinois Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UIC.

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%.

Read full report on Social Work at UIC

University of Illinois at Springfield ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. UIS is a small public school situated in Springfield, Illinois. It awarded 19 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UIS did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $8,323 for Illinois Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Illinois at Springfield.

Full University of Illinois at Springfield Social Work Report

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public institution located in Edwardsville, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 67 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUE also made our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #15. It costs about $9,938 for illinois social work students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend SIUE.

Read more about Social Work at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

#8

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois

Aurora University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Aurora University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Aurora, Illinois. It awarded 642 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Aurora not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Aurora is $13,845 for Illinois Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Work at Aurora

#9

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

Governors State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. University Park, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 92 students in 2019-2020.

GSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Governors State University is $12,046 for illinois social work students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Social Work at GSU

#10

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Western Illinois University is a medium-sized school located in Macomb, Illinois that handed out 39 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WIU, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $14,526 for illinois social work students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend WIU.

Read full report on Social Work at WIU

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Carbondale, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 138 students in 2019-2020.

SIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend SIUC is $14,306 for Illinois Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Social Work at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#12

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Illinois State University is a large public school situated in Normal, Illinois. It awarded 78 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State also took the #8 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $14,999 for illinois social work students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Illinois State.

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 Illinois State

Northeastern Illinois University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 174 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Northeastern Illinois University also made our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend Northeastern Illinois University is $15,513 for Illinois Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Northeastern Illinois University Social Work Report

#14

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Joliet, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 37 degrees to qualified ’s social work students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois social work students whose families make $30-$48k list, University of Saint Francis has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of St Francis is $11,229 for Illinois Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read more about Social Work at University of St Francis

#15

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

With a ranking of #15, Dominican University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in River Forest, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 77 diplomas to qualified ’s social work students in 2019-2020.

Dominican U did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Dominican U is $17,586 for illinois social work students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Social Work at Dominican U

#16

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. Bradley is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Peoria, Illinois. It awarded 20 ’s social work 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 Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $18,232 for Illinois Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Bradley.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. 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 more about Social Work at Bradley University

#17

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Bourbonnais, Illinois, and it awarded 21 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Olivet Nazarene also took the #12 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Olivet Nazarene University is $15,390 for illinois social work students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full Olivet Nazarene Social Work Report

#18

Saint Augustine College

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Augustine College landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 25 diplomas to qualified ’s social work students in 2019-2020.

St. Augustine College also made our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Augustine College is $12,491 for Illinois Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Social Work at St. Augustine College

#19

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. CSU is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 24 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Chicago State University is $11,844 for Illinois Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full CSU Social Work Report

#20

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois

National Louis University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. National Louis University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NLU, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for NLU is $14,403 for Illinois Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Social Work at National Louis University

#21

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Decatur, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 10 degrees to qualified ’s social work students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois social work students whose families make $30-$48k list, Millikin has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $17,692 for illinois social work students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Millikin University.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Social Work at Millikin

#22

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois

Concordia University, Chicago ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in River Forest, Illinois, and it awarded 17 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Concordia University, Chicago also took the #25 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Concordia University, Chicago is $15,406 for Illinois Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Social Work at Concordia University, Chicago

#23

Trinity Christian College

Palos Heights, Illinois

Trinity Christian College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Trinity Christian is located in Palos Heights, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

Trinity Christian also made our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #24. The yearly cost to attend Trinity Christian College is $19,918 for Illinois Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 5.0% 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 student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Social Work at Trinity Christian

#24

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. Loyola Chicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 306 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Loyola Chicago, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Loyola University Chicago is $29,788 for illinois social work students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Social Work at Loyola University Chicago

#25

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

DePaul University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social work degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois social work students whose families make $30-$48k list, DePaul has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend DePaul University is $25,842 for illinois social work students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Work at DePaul University

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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