by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 37 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social work students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the social work degrees they offer, see the list below.
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among social work schools in New York. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $9,608 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $51,407. Set against $9,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for social work. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $12,690 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $52,676 early in their careers. Set against $12,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny York College one of the best values for social work. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,358, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. Social Work graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $52,381. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Social Work graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $45,172 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Medgar Evers College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,352 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,302. Students borrow a median of $15,096 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $44,311 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #6 for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,312 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $39,695. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Mercy College placed #7 among the best values for social work. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,880 in tuition and fees. Social Work graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $39,373. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Suny College At Brockport came in at #8 for value in social work this year. Set in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,752, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $23,354. Early-career social work graduates make about $44,947. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Brockport admits about 71% of applicants.
Suny At Fredonia landed the #9 spot for social work value this year. Located in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,831, with out-of-state students paying around $19,771. Social Work graduates carry a median of $24,340 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Suny At Fredonia generally make around $28,723. That is a strong return on a $24,340 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Suny College At Plattsburgh landed the #10 spot for social work value this year. Set in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,035, compared with $18,945 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $23,990. Social Work graduates of Suny College At Plattsburgh earn a median of $24,676 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,990 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University earned the #11 position for value in social work this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $23,981. Early-career social work graduates make about $51,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
Suny At Albany placed #12 among the best values for social work. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Social Work graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $43,129. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
Saint Josephs College New York placed #13 among the best values for social work. Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $36,550 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,485 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $49,214. Set against $25,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Niagara University earned the #14 position for value in social work this year. Niagara University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Niagara University. Students from in state pay about $39,345 in tuition and fees. Social Work graduates carry a median of $26,208 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Niagara University earn a median of $51,918 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $59,891. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Daemen College earned the #16 position for value in social work this year. Located in the suburb of Amherst, Daemen College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,218 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $27,000. Social Work graduates of Daemen College earn a median of $49,949 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Daemen College admits about 68% of applicants.
University At Buffalo came in at #17 for value in social work this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $22,232. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $50,711. That is a strong return on a $22,232 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Suny At Binghamton placed #18 among the best values for social work. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $20,691. Social Work graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $52,793 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.
Long Island University C W Post Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,432 in tuition and fees. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,211 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Long Island University C W Post Campus generally make around $52,113. That is a strong return on a $25,211 median debt. Long Island University C W Post Campus admits about 86% of applicants.
Roberts Wesleyan College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Roberts Wesleyan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,826. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $26,596. Early-career social work graduates make about $43,094. That is a strong return on a $26,596 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Keuka College came in at #21 for value in social work this year. Keuka College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Keuka Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,332. Social Work graduates carry a median of $40,593 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $45,760. Set against $40,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Touro College earned the #22 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of New York, Touro College is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,052. Students borrow a median of $20,285 to complete the social work program here. Early-career social work graduates make about $58,117. That is a strong return on a $20,285 median debt. Touro College admits about 61% of applicants.
Iona College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the suburb of New Rochelle, Iona College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,260. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $25,749. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Iona College generally make around $51,530. Set against $25,749 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Iona College admits about 87% of applicants.
Adelphi University came in at #24 for value in social work this year. Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Garden City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,775. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $25,000. Social Work graduates of Adelphi University earn a median of $55,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Adelphi University admits about 66% of applicants.
Nazareth College placed #25 among the best values for social work. Nazareth College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,210. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $26,250. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Nazareth College generally make around $44,934. Set against $26,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
These schools also delivered strong value for social work this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.