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2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k

25 Ranked Colleges
2,654 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Social Work is the 12th most popular major in the country with 57,618 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, social work graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $36,459 and had an average of $30,084 in loans still to pay off.

Across Illinois, there were 2,654 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,589 and $33,608 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 25 colleges that offered a degree 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.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the social work program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Social Work Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Social Work (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois

#1

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #1 spot on the list. University of Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 210 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Chicago is $7,934 for Illinois Social Work students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Social Work at UChicago

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 232 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois social work students whose families make $48-$75k list, UIUC has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $13,351 for illinois social work students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Work at UIUC

#3

Lake Land College

Mattoon, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Lake Land College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Mattoon, Illinois, and it awarded 18 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Lake Land College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Lake Land College is $6,770 for illinois social work students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Social Work at Lake Land College

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Chicago. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 248 students in 2019-2020.

UIC also took the #6 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Chicago is $13,683 for illinois social work students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at University of Illinois at Chicago

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Springfield. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k. Springfield, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois social work students whose families make $48-$75k list, UIS has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIS is $11,857 for illinois social work students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Social Work at University of Illinois at Springfield

#6

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois

Aurora University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Aurora, Illinois, and it awarded 642 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Aurora not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Aurora is $15,881 for illinois social work students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Work at Aurora University

#7

Southwestern Illinois College

Belleville, Illinois

Southwestern Illinois College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Belleville, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 10 degrees to qualified ’s social work students in 2019-2020.

SWIC also took the #22 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SWIC is $8,720 for Illinois Social Work students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Social Work at Southwestern Illinois College

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is located in Edwardsville, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 67 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

SIUE also made our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for SIUE is $13,705 for illinois social work students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Social Work at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

#9

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

With a ranking of #9, Governors State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. GSU is a public institution located in University Park, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 92 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

GSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Governors State University is $11,872 for illinois social work students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full GSU Social Work Report

#10

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #10. Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 39 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

WIU also made our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for WIU is $15,912 for illinois social work students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Social Work at WIU

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. SIUC is a fairly large public school situated in Carbondale, Illinois. It awarded 138 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC also took the #17 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SIUC is $14,985 for Illinois Social Work students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Social Work at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Northeastern Illinois University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 174 students in 2019-2020.

Northeastern Illinois University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $18,180 for Illinois Social Work students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Northeastern Illinois University.

Read more about Social Work at Northeastern Illinois University

#13

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Normal, Illinois, this large public school awarded 78 diplomas to qualified ’s social work students in 2019-2020.

Illinois State also took the #8 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $19,080 for illinois social work students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Illinois State University.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Work at Illinois State University

#14

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Saint Francis is located in Joliet, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 37 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

University of Saint Francis not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of St Francis is $14,220 for illinois social work students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Work at University of St Francis

#15

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. Olivet Nazarene University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bourbonnais, Illinois. It awarded 21 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Olivet Nazarene did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Olivet Nazarene University is $17,841 for Illinois Social Work students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Olivet Nazarene Social Work Report

#16

Saint Augustine College

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Augustine College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Saint Augustine College is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 25 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Augustine College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Saint Augustine College is $15,013 for illinois social work students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Social Work at St. Augustine College

#17

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

Dominican University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Dominican University is located in River Forest, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 77 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

Dominican U also took the #10 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Dominican U is $18,582 for illinois social work students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Social Work at Dominican University

#18

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. Millikin University is a small school located in Decatur, Illinois that handed out 10 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Millikin also made our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $20,390 for illinois social work students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Millikin University.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Social Work at Millikin

#19

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 24 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend CSU is $10,023 for Illinois Social Work students whose families make $48-$75k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Social Work at CSU

#20

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #20. This medium-sized school is located in Peoria, Illinois, and it awarded 20 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois social work students whose families make $48-$75k list, Bradley has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bradley University is $22,865 for Illinois Social Work students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Bradley Social Work Report

#21

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois

With a ranking of #21, Concordia University, Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Concordia University, Chicago is located in River Forest, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

Concordia University, Chicago also made our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #25. The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Chicago is $17,295 for illinois social work students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Social Work at Concordia University, Chicago

#22

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois

National Louis University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social work degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

NLU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend National Louis University is $16,888 for Illinois Social Work students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Social Work at National Louis University

#23

Trinity Christian College

Palos Heights, Illinois

Trinity Christian College landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Trinity Christian is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Palos Heights, Illinois. It awarded 7 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Trinity Christian not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Trinity Christian College is $20,888 for illinois social work students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Trinity Christian Social Work Report

#24

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #24, Loyola University Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 310 degrees to qualified ’s social work students in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago also made our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend Loyola Chicago is $32,259 for illinois social work students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Work at Loyola Chicago

#25

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

DePaul University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. DePaul is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 15 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

DePaul did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for DePaul University is $28,075 for illinois social work students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Work at DePaul

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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