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2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in Illinois

15 Ranked Colleges
1,729 Degrees Awarded
$22,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master's in Illinois

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in Illinois” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

With 56,762 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, social work is the 8th most popular major in the United States.

Across Illinois, there were 2,650 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,729 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,267 and $46,814 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in Illinois” ranking looked at 15 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in social work. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great social work programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the social work program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Social Work Schools

The social work school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in Illinois”.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in Illinois

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in Illinois.

Top 15 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Work in Illinois

#1

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Aurora University landed the #1 spot on the list. Aurora University is a medium-sized school located in Aurora, Illinois that handed out 460 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Aurora not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Aurora are $13,200, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Aurora University Social Work Report

#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. UIUC is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 151 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #3. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083.

Read full report on Social Work at UIUC

#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Chicago. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in Illinois. University of Illinois at Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 248 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

UIC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Chicago are $27,036, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UIC Social Work Report

#4

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Illinois State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Illinois State University is a large school located in Normal, Illinois that handed out 27 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State University are $11,069, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Illinois State University Social Work Report

#5

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Loyola University Chicago. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in Illinois. Loyola Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 249 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #2. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola University Chicago are $19,154.

Read full report on Social Work at Loyola University Chicago

#6

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois
#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, University of St Francis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. University of St Francis is a small school located in Joliet, Illinois that handed out 26 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Saint Francis not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of St Francis are $13,839, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at University of St Francis

#9 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. Located in Edwardsville, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 29 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

SIUE not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are $9,300, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

#8

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

Governors State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking. GSU is a small public school situated in University Park, Illinois. It awarded 48 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at GSU, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Governors State University are $14,674.

Read more about Social Work at GSU

#14 in overall quality

Northeastern Illinois University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 42 students in 2019-2020.

Northeastern Illinois University also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern Illinois University are $17,032, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at Northeastern Illinois University

#8 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking, coming in at #10. SIUC is a fairly large school located in Carbondale, Illinois that handed out 91 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SIUC are $32,928, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at SIUC

#11

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois
#10 in overall quality

Dominican University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking. This small school is located in River Forest, Illinois, and it awarded 77 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Dominican U did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Dominican U are $20,884.

Read full report on Social Work at Dominican University

#12

Erikson Institute

Chicago, Illinois
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Erikson Institute did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 20 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

The Erikson Institute also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #11. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The Erikson Institute are $22,400.

Full The Erikson Institute Social Work Report

#13

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

Chicago State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. Chicago State University is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 24 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

CSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSU are $15,056.

Read more about Social Work at CSU

#14

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, DePaul University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. DePaul University is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 15 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

DePaul also took the #12 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at DePaul University are $19,760.

Full DePaul Social Work Report

#15

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

University of Chicago landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking. University of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 199 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also took the #1 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548.

Full UChicago Social Work Report

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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