[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/social-work/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 327 schools to find the best return on investment for social work students.
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among social work schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $9,608 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $60,587 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,608 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $11,000. Early-career social work graduates make about $64,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University San Bernardino earned it the #3 place for social work. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $13,018 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $67,479. That is a strong return on a $13,018 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #4 spot this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $12,690 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $63,051. That is a strong return on a $12,690 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for social work. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $64,167. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $12,449. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $64,193. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Bakersfield landed the #7 spot for social work value this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #8 position for value in social work this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Social Work graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $67,567. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
California State University Fresno landed the #9 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $12,000. Social Work graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $64,873 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Utah Valley University placed #10 among the best values for social work. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $51,066. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt.
California State University Sacramento came in at #11 for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $18,000. Social Work graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $65,967 early in their careers. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #12 spot for social work value this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $16,526 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $52,422. That is a strong return on a $16,526 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #13 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $14,688. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $59,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #14 position for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $15,886. Social Work graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $66,121 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $11,276 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $66,873. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
California State University East Bay earned the #16 position for value in social work this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $18,073. Social Work graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $81,059 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Cuny York College landed the #17 spot for social work value this year. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. In-state tuition and fees average $7,358, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $9,500. Social Work graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $60,020 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.
Portland State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $25,624. Early-career social work graduates make about $57,241. Set against $25,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Rhode Island College earned the #19 position for value in social work this year. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. In-state tuition and fees average $11,300, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $24,100. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $54,937. Set against $24,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Marcos placed #20 among the best values for social work. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $17,527. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $62,668. Set against $17,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earned the #21 position for value in social work this year. Set in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,080. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,081. Social Work graduates of Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn a median of $69,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earned the #22 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $17,396. Early-career social work graduates make about $61,696. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $15,117. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $49,662. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University placed #24 among the best values for social work. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $38,446 early in their careers. Set against $28,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value social work schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $21,875. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $50,498. That is a strong return on a $21,875 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Work Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s social work value ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 327 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 327 ranked schools only.
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).
[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/social-work/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
