by our College Data Analytics Team
[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/social-work/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong social work education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 64 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social work students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social work, balancing cost against outcomes.
Sinclair Community College earned the #1 spot for value among social work schools in Ohio. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $35,348. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ohio University Southern Campus earned it the #2 place for social work. Located in the suburb of Ironton, Ohio University Southern Campus is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,362, while out-of-state students pay about $9,444. Social Work graduates carry a median of $23,570 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Ohio University Southern Campus generally make around $37,990. That is a strong return on a $23,570 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Ohio University Zanesville Campus one of the best values for social work. Ohio University Zanesville Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Zanesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,362, compared with $9,444 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $23,570 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Ohio University Zanesville Campus earn a median of $37,990 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio University Chillicothe Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Chillicothe, Ohio University Chillicothe Campus is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,362, with out-of-state students paying around $9,444. Students borrow a median of $23,570 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Ohio University Chillicothe Campus earn a median of $37,990 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,570 median debt.
James A Rhodes State College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the rural area of Lima, James A Rhodes State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $9,120. Students borrow a median of $17,070 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from James A Rhodes State College generally make around $47,074. That is a strong return on a $17,070 median debt.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College placed #6 among the best values for social work. Located in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,904. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $24,075. Early-career social work graduates make about $42,936. Set against $24,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lakeland Community College landed the #7 spot for social work value this year. Located in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,872, with out-of-state students paying around $9,235. Students borrow a median of $19,857 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Lakeland Community College generally make around $51,941. That is a strong return on a $19,857 median debt.
Clark State Community College earned the #8 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,393, compared with $8,049 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,631 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $29,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the suburb of Batavia, University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,639 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,871. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $24,075. Early-career social work graduates make about $39,106. That is a strong return on a $24,075 median debt.
Stark State College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,177 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $42,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Owens Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,870 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,502. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $19,383. Social Work graduates of Owens Community College earn a median of $45,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washington State Community College placed #12 among the best values for social work. Set in the town of Marietta, Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,128, compared with $4,152 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,291 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Washington State Community College earn a median of $45,305 early in their careers. Set against $16,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Akron Wayne College placed #13 among the best values for social work. Located in the rural area of Orrville, University Of Akron Wayne College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $7,723 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,403. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $21,669. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Akron Wayne College generally make around $36,776. That is a strong return on a $21,669 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Youngstown State University earned the #14 position for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $33,422 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $43,426 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Ohio State University Marion Campus placed #15 among the best values for social work. Ohio State University Marion Campus is a small public school located in the town of Marion. In-state tuition and fees average $9,488, while out-of-state students pay about $36,266. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $26,970. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Ohio State University Marion Campus generally make around $38,739. That is a strong return on a $26,970 median debt.
Ohio State University Lima Campus came in at #16 for value in social work this year. Located in the rural area of Lima, Ohio State University Lima Campus is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,488, while out-of-state students pay about $36,266. Students borrow a median of $26,970 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $38,739. Set against $26,970 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Gateway Community College landed the #17 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Steubenville, Eastern Gateway Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,225, while out-of-state students pay about $6,071. Students borrow a median of $10,642 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Eastern Gateway Community College earn a median of $37,052 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wright State University Main Campus landed the #18 spot for social work value this year. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $44,971. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Newark Campus earned the #19 position for value in social work this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, Ohio State University Newark Campus is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,488, while out-of-state students pay about $36,266. Social Work graduates carry a median of $26,970 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $38,739. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #20 spot for social work value this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Students borrow a median of $27,708 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $42,196 early in their careers. Set against $27,708 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University placed #21 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $33,000. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $41,818. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Ursuline College placed #22 among the best values for social work. Located in the suburb of Pepper Pike, Ursuline College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,990. Social Work graduates carry a median of $35,000 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Ursuline College earn a median of $80,267 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #23 for value in social work this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,970 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $44,632 early in their careers. Set against $26,970 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Toledo earned the #24 position for value in social work this year. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. Students from in state pay about $12,157 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Social Work graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Social Work graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $43,564 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Central State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Central State University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wilberforce. In-state tuition and fees average $8,058, compared with $10,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $31,000. Early-career social work graduates make about $27,388. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central State University admits about 99% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for social work this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 64 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.