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2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k

70 Ranked Colleges
640 Degrees Awarded
$33,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k

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 Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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.

For this year’s “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 70 colleges that offer 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Social Work Schools

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 $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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 for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Social Work (Income $48-$75k)

#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 $48-$75k. WUSTL is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 9 doctorate’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

WUSTL not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #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 more about Social Work at WUSTL

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 70 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #2 spot on the list. UChicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 11 doctorate’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UChicago, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Social Work Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at University of Chicago

#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Columbia University in the City of New York. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k. 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia University in the City of New York are $51,194, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at Columbia

#4

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 $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pennsylvania landed the #4 spot on the list. UPenn is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 14 doctorate’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UPenn also made our “Best Social Work Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Pennsylvania are $41,760, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at UPenn

#10 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a public institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW Seattle, the school also landed the #10 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 UW Seattle are $30,294.

Read full report on Social Work at UW Seattle

#5 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UC Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 4 doctorate’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree social work students whose families make $48-$75k list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #5 rank 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 University of California - Berkeley are $29,347.

Read more about Social Work at UC Berkeley

#9 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. UW - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 4 doctorate’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Social Work Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#8

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#16 in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UCLA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 4 doctorate’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Social Work Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at UCLA

Florida International University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. FIU is a large public school situated in Miami, Florida. It awarded 3 doctorate’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida International University are $24,211, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full FIU Social Work Report

#10

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#23 in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a large public school situated in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It awarded 4 doctorate’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UNC Chapel Hill not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 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 UNC Chapel Hill are $30,248.

Read full report on Social Work at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

#21 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 3 degrees to qualified doctorate’s social work students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree social work students whose families make $48-$75k list, UIUC has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Social Work Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at UIUC

#12

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#22 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 4 doctorate’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Social Work Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMN Twin Cities are $28,845, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

#13

Capella University

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Capella University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #13. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out doctorate’s social work degrees to 60 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Capella University are $14,767, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at Capella University

#15 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Austin ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Austin, Texas, this large public school awarded 6 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s social work students in 2019-2020.

UT Austin did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Social Work Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Austin are $22,886, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin

#15

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Florida State University is a large school located in Tallahassee, Florida that handed out 3 doctorate’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State are $26,707, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at Florida State

#16

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
#12 in overall quality

Boston College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Boston College is a fairly large school located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts that handed out 4 doctorate’s social work degrees 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 more about Social Work at Boston College

#17

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 $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #17. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 152 doctorate’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

USC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 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 University of Southern California are $48,715.

Read more about Social Work at University of Southern California

#25 in overall quality

University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Mizzou is located in Columbia, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 doctorate’s social work degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree social work students whose families make $48-$75k list, Mizzou has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Social Work Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - Columbia are $27,193, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Mizzou Social Work Report

With a ranking of #19, Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Ohio State is a large school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 3 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 Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141.

Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Social Work Report

#20

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Georgia is a large public school situated in Athens, Georgia. It awarded 8 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 University of Georgia are $27,476.

Read more about Social Work at University of Georgia

#21

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah

University of Utah landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. U of U is a large school located in Salt Lake City, Utah that handed out 5 doctorate’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

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

Read full report on Social Work at University of Utah

#22

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, Boston University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Boston University is located in Boston, Massachusetts and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s social work degrees to qualified students.

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.

Read full report on Social Work at Boston U

#23

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

University of Houston came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Houston, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s social work degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UH are $18,689, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at UH

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. IUPUI is a public institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at IUPUI are $26,013.

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

Colorado State University - Fort Collins did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #25. Colorado State University - Fort Collins is located in Fort Collins, Colorado and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 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 Colorado State University - Fort Collins are $28,055.

Read full report on Social Work at Colorado State

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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