2023 Best Value Colleges for Social Work (Income $48-$75k) in Pennsylvania
22
Ranked Colleges
2,266
Degrees Awarded
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking.
In 2020-2021, 58,326 people earned their degree in social work, making the major the 13th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, social work graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $37,651 and had an average of $26,679 in loans still to pay off.
Across Pennsylvania, there were 2,266 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,199 and $27,340 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 22 colleges that offered a degree in social work. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent social work programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the social work program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
One Size Does Not Fit All
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college decision.
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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k.
Top 22 Best Value Colleges for Social Work (Income $48-$75k) in Pennsylvania
Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pennsylvania landed the #1 spot on the list. UPenn is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 180 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.
UPenn also took the #1 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UPenn is $12,020 for Pennsylvania Social Work students whose families make $48-$75k.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Social Work at University of Pennsylvania
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bryn Mawr College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k list. Bryn Mawr College is located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 66 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.
Bryn Mawr also took the #4 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Bryn Mawr College is $20,159 for pennsylvania social work students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Bryn Mawr College Social Work Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k list. Edinboro University of Pennsylvania is located in Edinboro, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 188 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.
Edinboro also took the #11 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Edinboro University of Pennsylvania is $16,208 for pennsylvania social work students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Social Work Report
Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania landed the #4 spot on the list. Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 41 students in 2020-2021.
SRU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for SRU is $19,050 for pennsylvania social work students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Social Work at SRU
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend West Chester University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in West Chester, Pennsylvania, this fairly large public school handed out 142 degrees to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.
WCUPA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $19,085 for Pennsylvania Social Work students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend WCUPA.
With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full WCUPA Social Work Report
University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus is a large public school situated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It awarded 246 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our pennsylvania social work students whose families make $48-$75k list, Pitt has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Pitt is $24,139 for pennsylvania 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 93%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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%.
Full University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Social Work Report
Temple University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Temple is a public institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 169 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our pennsylvania social work students whose families make $48-$75k list, Temple has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Temple is $21,568 for pennsylvania 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 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Social Work at Temple University
California University of Pennsylvania ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k list. California University of Pennsylvania is located in California, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 59 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.
Cal U did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $18,197 for pennsylvania social work students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend California University of Pennsylvania.
Full California University of Pennsylvania Social Work Report
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #9. Kutztown University is a public institution located in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 90 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our pennsylvania social work students whose families make $48-$75k list, Kutztown University has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $22,881 for Pennsylvania Social Work students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Kutztown University.
Read full report on Social Work at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Millersville University of Pennsylvania ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k list. Millersville is a medium-sized public school situated in Millersville, Pennsylvania. It awarded 136 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
Millersville also took the #6 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Millersville University of Pennsylvania is $22,731 for Pennsylvania Social Work students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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%.
Full Millersville Social Work Report
Cairn University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Cairn University is a small school located in Langhorne, Pennsylvania that handed out 16 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cairn, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cairn is $21,941 for pennsylvania social work students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read more about Social Work at Cairn University
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized public school handed out 57 degrees to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.
Bloomsburg also made our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $19,879 for pennsylvania social work students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Bloomsburg.
Read full report on Social Work at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
With a ranking of #13, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k list. Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is located in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 65 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.
Ship also made our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is $22,033 for Pennsylvania Social Work students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% 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 Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Marywood University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 82 diplomas to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.
Marywood also took the #12 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Marywood University is $19,734 for pennsylvania social work students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 Marywood University
With a ranking of #15, Lock Haven University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k list. Lock Haven, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 24 students in 2020-2021.
LHU also took the #14 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $21,086 for Pennsylvania Social Work students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend LHU.
Read more about Social Work at Lock Haven University
Carlow University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social work degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Carlow, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $19,187 for pennsylvania social work students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Carlow.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Read more about Social Work at Carlow
Eastern University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Eastern University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Davids, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at EU, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend EU is $20,383 for Pennsylvania Social Work students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full EU Social Work Report
With a ranking of #18, Lancaster Bible College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k list. Lancaster Bible College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It awarded 15 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our pennsylvania social work students whose families make $48-$75k list, Lancaster Bible College has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $19,844 for Pennsylvania Social Work students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Lancaster Bible College.
Full Lancaster Bible College Social Work Report
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Mansfield, Pennsylvania, this small public school handed out 19 diplomas to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our pennsylvania social work students whose families make $48-$75k list, Mansfield University has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $10,341 for pennsylvania social work students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Mansfield University.
Full Mansfield University of Pennsylvania Social Work Report
With a ranking of #20, Alvernia University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k list. Alvernia University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Reading, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 35 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Alvernia, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Alvernia is $24,953 for pennsylvania social work students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read more about Social Work at Alvernia University
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #21. East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized public school situated in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. It awarded 33 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at East Stroudsburg University, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania is $20,726 for Pennsylvania Social Work students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Social Work at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Widener University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Widener is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chester, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 282 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Widener also made our “Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for Widener is $31,002 for Pennsylvania Social Work students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Social Work at Widener
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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
- *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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