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Best Value Social Work Schools in Michigan

2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in Michigan

Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices

19 Colleges
$22,184 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$35,269 Avg Salary

Finding the Best Social Work School for You

In 2020-2021, social work students earned 2,413 degrees and certificates from a Michigan school, making the subject the 9th in the state.

With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.

The Best Value Social Work Schools in Michigan ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 19 schools in Michigan to see which ones offered the best value programs for social work students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.

Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.

In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.

Top 10 Best Social Work Schools

#1

Saginaw Valley State University

University Center, MI
$11,130 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Saginaw Valley State University to be the best value school for social work students who want to pursue a degree in Michigan. Located in the midsize suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

The average tuition and fees for an in-state undergraduate at Saginaw Valley State University are $11,130 a year. While working on their degree, social work majors at Saginaw Valley State University accumulate an average of around $31,000 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $245, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#2

Spring Arbor University

Spring Arbor, MI
$31,080 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Spring Arbor University is a great value for social work students. Located in the suburb of Spring Arbor, Spring Arbor is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

In-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Spring Arbor are $31,080 per year. On average, social work graduates from Spring Arbor take out $29,893 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Social Work at Spring Arbor University Report

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#3

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI
$13,188 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent programs at Ferris State University helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best social work schools in Michigan. Ferris is a fairly large public school located in the distant town of Big Rapids.

The average tuition and fees for an in-state undergraduate at Ferris are $13,188 a year. The average amount in student loans that social work majors at Ferris take out is $26,250. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $176.

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$12,322 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Michigan - Flint. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in Michigan list. UM Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the small city of Flint.

The average tuition and fees for an in-state undergraduate at UM Flint are $12,322 a year. The average amount in student loans that social work majors at UM Flint take out is $41,279.

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#5

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, MI
$13,094 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Central Michigan University is a great value for social work students. Central Michigan is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant.

Central Michigan undergraduate students pay an average of $13,094 in in-state tuition and fees each year. On average, social work graduates from Central Michigan take out $29,000 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $202, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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$13,206 Average Tuition & Fees

Northern Michigan University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value social work programs. Located in the remote town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

In-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Northern Michigan University are $13,206 per year. After completing their degree, social work graduates from Northern Michigan University carry an average student debtload of $26,977.

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#7

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, MI
$15,135 Average Tuition & Fees

Oakland University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in Michigan ranking. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland is a public college with a large student population.

In-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Oakland are $15,135 per year. The average amount in student loans that social work majors at Oakland take out is $29,562. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $125.

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$13,900 Average Tuition & Fees

Grand Valley State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for social work students. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in the large suburb of Allendale, GVSU is a public school with a fairly large student population.

The average tuition and fees for an in-state undergraduate at GVSU are $13,900 a year. While working on their degree, social work majors at GVSU accumulate an average of around $27,000 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $201.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, GVSU also is in the top 15% of our Best Social Work Schools in Michigan ranking.

Full Social Work at Grand Valley State University Report

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$13,434 Average Tuition & Fees

Western Michigan University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for social work students. It came in at #9 on the list. WMU is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo.

In-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WMU are $13,434 per year. Social Work majors at WMU take out an average of $27,000 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $241.

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#10

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI
$15,966 Average Tuition & Fees

Michigan State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in Michigan ranking. Michigan State is a fairly large public school located in the city of East Lansing.

The average tuition and fees for an in-state undergraduate at Michigan State are $15,966 a year. Social Work majors at Michigan State take out an average of $27,000 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $394, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Michigan State also took the #4 spot in our Best Social Work Schools in Michigan rankings.

Full Social Work at Michigan State University Report

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Best Value Social Work Colleges in the Great Lakes Region

Explore all the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Great Lakes Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Ohio 2,332
Illinois 2,711
Indiana 1,545
Wisconsin 1,041

One of 5 majors within the area of study, social work has other similar majors worth exploring.

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 19 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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