2026 Best Value Social Work Master’s Degree Schools
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 837 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social work students.
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2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social work, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Work Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in social work in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $9,608. Early-career social work graduates make about $60,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #2 place for social work. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $64,869 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University Dominguez Hills is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #3 spot this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Social Work graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #4 place for social work. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Social Work graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Social Work graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $64,167 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for social work. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $12,690. Early-career social work graduates make about $63,051. That is a strong return on a $12,690 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino earned the #6 position for value in social work this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,018 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $67,479. Set against $13,018 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #7 position for value in social work this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $14,813. Social Work graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $67,567 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,813 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno came in at #8 for value in social work this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Social Work graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $64,873 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Bakersfield placed #9 among the best values for social work. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge earned the #10 position for value in social work this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Social Work graduates carry a median of $12,449 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $64,193. That is a strong return on a $12,449 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach placed #11 among the best values for social work. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $11,276. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $66,873. Set against $11,276 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #12 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $59,322 early in their careers. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $16,526. Early-career social work graduates make about $52,422. That is a strong return on a $16,526 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Cuny York College landed the #14 spot for social work value this year. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,358, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
California State University Sacramento landed the #15 spot for social work value this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Utah Valley University placed #16 among the best values for social work. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $20,000. Early-career social work graduates make about $51,066. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earned the #17 position for value in social work this year. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Social Work graduates carry a median of $17,396 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $61,696. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for social work. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $49,755. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #19 among the best values for social work. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $21,686. Early-career social work graduates make about $52,502. Set against $21,686 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
California State University East Bay placed #20 among the best values for social work. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Social Work graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $81,059. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University earned the #21 position for value in social work this year. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $28,906. Early-career social work graduates make about $47,684. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
California State University San Marcos landed the #22 spot for social work value this year. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $17,527 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $62,668. Set against $17,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #23 spot for social work value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Social Work graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $50,498. Set against $21,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Western New Mexico University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Silver City. In-state tuition and fees average $7,855, with out-of-state students paying around $14,341. Students borrow a median of $35,448 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Western New Mexico University generally make around $55,907. Set against $35,448 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rhode Island College earned the #25 position for value in social work this year. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. Students from in state pay about $11,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Students borrow a median of $24,100 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $54,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Work Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in social work:
Other Social Work Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Social Work rankings across degree levels:
View All Social Work Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 837 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 246 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
