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2023 Best Value Colleges for Social Work in the Great Lakes Region

84 Ranked Colleges
10,126 Degrees Awarded
$16,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking is part of that endeavor.

With 57,401 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, social work is the 9th most popular major in the United States.

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” ranking analyzed 84 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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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” 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. 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 in the Great Lakes Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Social Work in the Great Lakes Region

1

Out of the 84 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global landed the #1 spot on the list. IWU is located in Marion, Indiana and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 283 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

IWU also made our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #15. It costs about $18,904 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students per year to attend Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global Social Work Report

2

Out of the 84 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire landed the #2 spot on the list. Eau Claire, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 108 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region social work students list, UW - Eau Claire has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UW - Eau Claire is $16,051 for great lakes region social work students.

Full UW - Eau Claire Social Work Report

3
Aurora crest
Aurora University
Aurora, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Aurora University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This medium-sized school is located in Aurora, Illinois, and it awarded 712 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

Aurora also took the #8 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Aurora is $16,994 for great lakes region social work students.

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%.

Read more about Social Work at Aurora

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Whitewater. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region. This fairly large school is located in Whitewater, Wisconsin, and it awarded 119 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Whitewater not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UW - Whitewater is $14,417 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students.

Read more about Social Work at UW - Whitewater

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Youngstown State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Youngstown, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 164 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Youngstown State University is $12,225 for great lakes region social work students.

Read more about Social Work at Youngstown State University

6

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Stevens Point, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 57 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Stevens Point, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,346 for great lakes region social work students per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point.

Read more about Social Work at UW - Stevens Point

7

With a ranking of #7, University of Akron Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Akron Main Campus is a public institution located in Akron, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 147 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Akron Main Campus is $17,945 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students.

Read more about Social Work at University of Akron Main Campus

8

With a ranking of #8, University of Wisconsin - Superior did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. UW - Superior is located in Superior, Wisconsin and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 22 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Superior is $14,084 for great lakes region social work students.

Full UW - Superior Social Work Report

9

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school awarded 60 diplomas to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region social work students list, UW Oshkosh has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW Oshkosh is $14,687 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students.

Read more about Social Work at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

10
Ferris crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, Michigan

Ferris State University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Ferris State University is a fairly large public school situated in Big Rapids, Michigan. It awarded 102 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Ferris is $12,213 for great lakes region social work students.

Read full report on Social Work at Ferris State University

11

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. SIUE is located in Edwardsville, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 64 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for SIUE is $14,462 for great lakes region social work students.

Full SIUE Social Work Report

12

University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #12. River Falls, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 24 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UW - River Falls is $13,844 for great lakes region social work students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at UW - River Falls

13

Grand Valley State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Grand Valley State University 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at GVSU, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend GVSU is $17,356 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students.

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 GVSU

14
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Central Michigan University is a fairly large school located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan that handed out 57 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan University is $16,007 for great lakes region social work students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Central Michigan University Social Work Report

15

University of Wisconsin - Green Bay landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Green Bay, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 99 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UW - Green Bay is $13,092 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students.

Read full report on Social Work at University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

16

Western Illinois University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #16. Macomb, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 45 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,305 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students per year to attend WIU.

Read full report on Social Work at WIU

17
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Ypsilanti, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 236 degrees to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.

Eastern Michigan not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Michigan is $15,127 for great lakes region social work students.

Read more about Social Work at Eastern Michigan

18

With a ranking of #18, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 252 students in 2020-2021.

UWM also took the #13 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is $17,486 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students.

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

19
Loyola Chicago crest
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 317 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

Loyola Chicago also took the #6 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $36,434 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students per year to attend Loyola Chicago.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Work at Loyola Chicago

20
Spring Arbor crest
Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor, Michigan

Spring Arbor University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Spring Arbor University is a small school located in Spring Arbor, Michigan that handed out 209 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $20,543 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students per year to attend Spring Arbor University.

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 full report on Social Work at Spring Arbor

21

Illinois State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Illinois State University is a large school located in Normal, Illinois that handed out 88 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Illinois State University is $20,830 for great lakes region social work students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at Illinois State

22

With a ranking of #22, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IUPUI, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend IUPUI is $12,416 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students.

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%.

Full Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Social Work Report

23

Ohio University - Athens Campus landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. OHIO Athens is located in Athens, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 138 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

OHIO Athens also took the #20 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $23,831 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students per year to attend Ohio University - Athens Campus.

Full Ohio University - Athens Campus Social Work Report

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

Stark State College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. 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.

It costs about $5,963 for great lakes region social work students per year to attend Stark State College.

Read more about Social Work at Stark State College

24
University of Saint Francis crest
University of St Francis
Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #24. University of Saint Francis is located in Joliet, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 29 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $17,102 for Great Lakes Region Social Work students per year to attend University of St Francis.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of St Francis Social Work Report

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References

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