2023 Best Value Social Work Bachelor's Degree Schools
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
Finding the Best Social Work Bachelor's Degree School for You
In 2020-2021, 58,326 people earned a degree or certificate in social work, making the major the #13 most popular in the United States.
Today's students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Also there are many trade schools that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Value Social Work Bachelor's Degree Schools to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 394 schools in the United States to see which bachelor's degree programs offered the best value experiences for social work students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
Top 25 Best Schools for Affordable Quality for a Bachelor's in Social Work
Our analysis found Minot State University to be the best value school for social work students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the United States. MSU is a small public school located in the town of Minot.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at MSU are $8,163 per year. While working on their Bachelor's Degree, social work majors at MSU accumulate an average of around $26,962 in student debt.
Full Social Work at Minot State University Report
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A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Bemidji State University is a great value for social work students working on their bachelor’s degree. Bemidji State University is a small public school located in the remote town of Bemidji.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Bemidji State University are $9,806 a year. Social Work majors at Bemidji State University take out an average of $28,291 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.
In addition to its great value ranking, Bemidji State University is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools list.
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Out of the 394 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Brigham Young University - Idaho landed the # 3 spot on the list. BYU - I is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at BYU - I are $4,416 per year.
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The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Metropolitan State University helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value social work schools in the United States. Metro State is a moderately-sized public school located in the large city of Saint Paul.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Metro State are $9,394 a year. The average amount in student loans that social work majors at Metro State take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $31,142.
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Out of the 394 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Southwest Minnesota State University landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in the remote town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Southwest Minnesota State University are $9,482 a year. While working on their Bachelor's Degree, social work majors at Southwest Minnesota State University accumulate an average of around $21,644 in student debt.
Southwest Minnesota State University excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools list.
Full Social Work at Southwest Minnesota State University Report
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Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree social work programs. IWU is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Marion.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at IWU are $9,239 a year.
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Western Carolina University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. WCU is a fairly large public school located in the distant town of Cullowhee.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at WCU are $8,367 a year. After completing their Bachelor's Degree, social work graduates from WCU carry an average student debtload of $23,410. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $127.
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Winona State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for social work students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #8 on the list. Winona State is a moderately-sized public school located in the distant town of Winona.
Winona State undergraduate students pay an average of $16,684 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that social work majors at Winona State take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $29,473. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $144.
In addition to its great value ranking, Winona State is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools list.
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University of North Carolina at Pembroke landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree social work programs. Located in the town of Pembroke, UNC Pembroke is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UNC Pembroke are $7,495 a year. After completing their Bachelor's Degree, social work graduates from UNC Pembroke carry an average student debtload of $28,761.
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University of North Dakota came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. UND is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks.
UND undergraduate students pay an average of $15,037 in tuition and fees each year. Social Work majors at UND take out an average of $27,649 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.
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With a ranking of #11, University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well on this year’s best value schools for social work students working on their bachelor’s degree. UW - River Falls is a moderately-sized public school located in the distant town of River Falls.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UW - River Falls are $15,661 a year. Social Work majors at UW - River Falls take out an average of $28,354 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, UW - River Falls also did well on our Best Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
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Youngstown State University landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree social work programs. Youngstown State University is a fairly large public school located in the city of Youngstown.
Youngstown State University undergraduate students pay an average of $9,732 in tuition and fees each year. On average, social work graduates from Youngstown State University take out $37,526 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.
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Minnesota State University - Moorhead did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for social work students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #14 on the list. MSU Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Moorhead.
MSU Moorhead undergraduate students pay an average of $17,564 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their Bachelor's Degree, social work graduates from MSU Moorhead carry an average student debtload of $27,008.
In addition to its great value ranking, MSU Moorhead is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools list.
Full Social Work at Minnesota State University - Moorhead Report
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University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the small city of Oshkosh, UW Oshkosh is a public college with a large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UW Oshkosh are $15,306 a year.
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Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for social work students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #16 on the list. Minnesota State Mankato is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Mankato.
Minnesota State Mankato undergraduate students pay an average of $18,200 in tuition and fees each year.
Minnesota State Mankato excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools list.
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University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree social work programs. UW - Eau Claire is a large public school located in the small city of Eau Claire.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UW - Eau Claire are $17,149 a year.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UW - Eau Claire also is in the top 15% of our Best Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking.
Full Social Work at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Report
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Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the fringe town of Shippensburg, Ship is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.
Ship undergraduate students pay an average of $14,122 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that social work majors at Ship take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $29,312.
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With a ranking of #19, Western Illinois University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for social work students working on their bachelor’s degree. WIU is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WIU are $13,297 per year. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $228, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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University of Akron Main Campus landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree social work programs. University of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the medium-sized city of Akron.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at University of Akron Main Campus are $11,880 per year. While working on their Bachelor's Degree, social work majors at University of Akron Main Campus accumulate an average of around $35,115 in student debt.
Full Social Work at University of Akron Main Campus Report
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University of Wisconsin - Superior ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. UW - Superior is a small public school located in the medium-sized suburb of Superior.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UW - Superior are $15,728 per year.
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Central Michigan University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the distant town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan is a public college with a fairly large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Central Michigan are $13,094 a year. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $202.
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West Texas A&M University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. West Texas A&M University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Canyon.
West Texas A&M University undergraduate students pay an average of $11,208 in tuition and fees each year.
Full Social Work at West Texas A&M University Report
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Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. SRU is a medium-sized public school located in the distant town of Slippery Rock.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SRU are $14,615 per year. After completing their Bachelor's Degree, social work graduates from SRU carry an average student debtload of $27,568. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $252.
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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, SIUE is a public school with a fairly large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at SIUE are $11,496 a year. The average amount in student loans that social work majors at SIUE take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $24,439.
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Additional Award Winners
This section shows the remainder of the colleges awarded a Best Value Social Work Bachelor's Degree Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 394 different United States social work schools we analyzed.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 49 | California State University - San Bernardino | San Bernardino, CA |
| 52 | University of Houston - Downtown | Houston, TX |
| 53 | University of Minnesota - Duluth | Duluth, MN |
| 54 | Colorado State University - Pueblo | Pueblo, CO |
| 55 | Heritage University | Toppenish, WA |
| 56 | Park University | Parkville, MO |
| 57 | Angelo State University | San Angelo, TX |
| 57 | Lehman College | Bronx, NY |
| 59 | Western Michigan University | Kalamazoo, MI |
| 59 | University of Wyoming | Laramie, WY |
Honorable Mentions
Here are some additional great value schools for Social Work students seeking value that almost earned our Best Value Social Work Bachelor's Degree Schools award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 61 | Salisbury University | Salisbury, MD |
| 62 | University of Nevada - Reno | Reno, NV |
| 63 | California State University - Fresno | Fresno, CA |
| 64 | California State University - Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA |
| 65 | University of Southern Mississippi | Hattiesburg, MS |
| 66 | Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ |
| 66 | Purdue University Global | Indianapolis, IN |
| 68 | California State University - Long Beach | Long Beach, CA |
| 69 | East Tennessee State University | Johnson City, TN |
| 70 | Missouri Western State University | Saint Joseph, MO |
| 71 | Weber State University | Ogden, UT |
| 71 | Wright State University - Main Campus | Dayton, OH |
| 73 | California State University - Sacramento | Sacramento, CA |
| 73 | Tarleton State University | Stephenville, TX |
| 73 | Henderson State University | Arkadelphia, AR |
| 76 | Indiana University - South Bend | South Bend, IN |
| 76 | Texas Woman’s University | Denton, TX |
| 78 | Missouri State University - Springfield | Springfield, MO |
Social Work by Region
View the Best Value Social Work Bachelor's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.
| Region |
|---|
| Southeast |
| New England |
| Rocky Mountains |
| Plains States |
| Middle Atlantic |
| Far Western US |
| Southwest |
| Great Lakes |
More Social Work Rankings
Majors Related to Social Work
Social Work is one of 5 different types of programs to choose from.
Majors Similar to Social Work
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Public Administration | 16,905 |
| Human Services | 13,238 |
| Public Policy | 6,430 |
| Community Organization & Advocacy | 3,096 |
| Other Public Administration | 588 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 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 the rest 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).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Army Medicine.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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