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2022 Best Value Colleges for Social Work in Illinois (With Aid)

25 Ranked Colleges
2,654 Degrees Awarded
$17,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 Getting Aid” 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 25 colleges that offer 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that 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. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Social Work in Illinois (With Aid)

#1

Lake Land College

Mattoon, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Lake Land College. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Lake Land College is a small public school situated in Mattoon, Illinois. It awarded 18 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Lake Land College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Lake Land College is $4,468 for Illinois Social Work students with aid.

Read more about Social Work at Lake Land College

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

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIUC is $15,880 for illinois social work students with aid.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read more about Social Work at UIUC

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Chicago. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 248 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Chicago is $13,312 for illinois social work students with aid.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Work at University of Illinois at Chicago

#4

Southwestern Illinois College

Belleville, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Southwestern Illinois College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid. Belleville, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

SWIC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Southwestern Illinois College is $7,098 for illinois social work students with aid.

Read more about Social Work at Southwestern Illinois College

#5

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Governors State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in University Park, Illinois, this small public school handed out 92 degrees to qualified ’s social work students in 2019-2020.

GSU also made our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $12,077 for Illinois Social Work students with aid per year to attend GSU.

Full GSU Social Work Report

University of Illinois at Springfield landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. 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.

UIS did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for UIS is $12,477 for illinois social work students with aid.

Read full report on Social Work at University of Illinois at Springfield

#7

Saint Augustine College

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Augustine College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Saint Augustine College is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 25 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Augustine College, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Augustine College is $12,193 for Illinois Social Work students with aid.

Full St. Augustine College Social Work Report

#8

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. WIU 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WIU, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for WIU is $16,210 for Illinois Social Work students with aid.

Read more about Social Work at WIU

#9

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois

With a ranking of #9, Aurora University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Aurora, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 642 diplomas to qualified ’s social work students 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 estimated yearly cost for Aurora University is $17,215 for illinois social work students with aid.

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%.

Full Aurora University Social Work Report

#10

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago State University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 24 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Chicago State University is $11,733 for Illinois Social Work students with aid.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Social Work at Chicago State University

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 67 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUE not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $14,423 for illinois social work students with aid.

Full Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Social Work Report

Northeastern Illinois University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northeastern Illinois University, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northeastern Illinois University is $15,843 for illinois social work students with aid.

Read more about Social Work at Northeastern Illinois University

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Carbondale, Illinois, and it awarded 138 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for SIUC is $16,945 for illinois social work students with aid.

Read full report on Social Work at SIUC

#14

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Joliet, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social work degrees to 37 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois social work students with aid list, University of Saint Francis has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of St Francis is $17,538 for illinois social work students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%.

Read more about Social Work at University of St Francis

#15

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

Dominican University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Dominican University is a small school located in River Forest, Illinois that handed out 77 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Dominican U also made our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for Dominican U is $19,268 for Illinois Social Work students with aid.

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 Dominican U

#16

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois

National Louis University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. NLU is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 17 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

NLU also made our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #23. The estimated yearly cost for National Louis University is $14,957 for illinois social work students with aid.

Read full report on Social Work at NLU

#17

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

With a ranking of #17, Illinois State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Normal, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 78 students in 2019-2020.

Illinois State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Illinois State University is $20,895 for Illinois Social Work students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 Illinois State

#18

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Olivet Nazarene University is a small school located in Bourbonnais, Illinois that handed out 21 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois social work students with aid list, Olivet Nazarene has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Olivet Nazarene University is $20,195 for illinois social work students with aid.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Olivet Nazarene Social Work Report

#19

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois

Concordia University, Chicago landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. River Forest, 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.

Concordia University, Chicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $16,512 for illinois social work students with aid per year to attend Concordia University, Chicago.

Full Concordia University, Chicago Social Work Report

#20

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

With a ranking of #20, Millikin University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Millikin is a private not-for-profit institution located in Decatur, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Millikin did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Millikin is $21,331 for illinois social work students with aid.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Social Work at Millikin University

#21

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Bradley is a medium-sized school located in Peoria, Illinois that handed out 20 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Bradley also took the #3 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bradley University is $25,634 for Illinois Social Work students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 Bradley

#22

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

University of Chicago ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. UChicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 210 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also took the #1 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Chicago is $27,315 for Illinois Social Work students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. 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%.

Full UChicago Social Work Report

#23

Trinity Christian College

Palos Heights, Illinois

With a ranking of #23, Trinity Christian College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Palos Heights, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social work degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

Trinity Christian did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Trinity Christian is $21,904 for illinois social work students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 5.0% 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%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Social Work at Trinity Christian College

#24

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

DePaul University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 15 ’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at DePaul, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend DePaul University is $30,090 for Illinois Social Work students with aid.

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 more about Social Work at DePaul

#25

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 310 degrees to qualified ’s social work students in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Social Work Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $35,407 for illinois social work students with aid per year to attend Loyola University Chicago.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. 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%.

Full Loyola Chicago Social Work Report

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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