2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in Mississippi

[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/social-work/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value social work schools.
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2026 Best Value Social Work Schools in Mississippi
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social work, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Work Schools
For return on investment in social work, no school beat Itawamba Community College this year. Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fulton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,420, while out-of-state students pay about $5,820. Students borrow a median of $10,942 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Itawamba Community College generally make around $40,832. That is a strong return on a $10,942 median debt.
Coahoma Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,490. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $11,745. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Coahoma Community College generally make around $29,600. Set against $11,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Mississippi Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Located in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,095, with out-of-state students paying around $7,445. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $9,422. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from East Mississippi Community College generally make around $34,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Holmes Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,710, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $10,831 in student loans. Social Work graduates of Holmes Community College earn a median of $32,145 early in their careers. Set against $10,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Typical student debt for social work graduates is $21,986. Early-career social work graduates make about $31,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Delta State University earned the #6 position for value in social work this year. Located in the town of Cleveland, Delta State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,605. Social Work graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career social work graduates make about $41,580. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Alcorn State University placed #7 among the best values for social work. Located in the rural area of Alcorn State, Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,785 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,900 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Alcorn State University generally make around $37,028. That is a strong return on a $31,900 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Southern Mississippi ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value social work schools. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,700 to complete the social work program here. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi generally make around $35,903. Set against $30,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Mississippi admits about 99% of applicants.
Mississippi State University landed the #9 spot for social work value this year. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Students borrow a median of $26,297 to complete the social work program here. Social Work graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $29,242 early in their careers. Set against $26,297 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Jackson State University earned the #10 position for value in social work this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Jackson State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,965 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,965 for out-of-state students. Social Work graduates carry a median of $36,403 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Jackson State University generally make around $32,900. Set against $36,403 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.