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Best Value Social Work Colleges in Pennsylvania

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Pennsylvania social work programs show dramatic cost differences, with East Stroudsburg University offering the lowest net price at $15,089 while Widener University reaches $30,470. Despite this $15,000 gap, earnings potential remains surprisingly consistent across institutions, ranging from $28,960 to $37,568. Public universities dominate the value proposition, with five of the top seven schools being state institutions that benefit Pennsylvania residents through lower tuition rates. The state's healthcare sector, anchored by UPMC and major pharmaceutical companies, creates steady demand for social workers across hospitals, community health centers, and corporate wellness programs. La Salle University stands out with the highest graduate earnings at $37,568, while maintaining a reasonable net cost of $21,409. Graduation rates vary significantly, from East Stroudsburg's 43.8% to Elizabethtown College's impressive 77.1%, suggesting that institutional support systems differ substantially across programs.
32
Programs
$12,251 – $30,470
Net Price Range
$32,865
Avg. Program Earnings
62.0%
Avg. Graduation Rate

32 Social Work Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $15,089 $28,960 $11,036 43.8% 93.6%
2 $21,409 $37,568 $35,570 57.9% 94.3%
3 $20,822 $34,847 $34,502 55.2% 92.7%
4 $19,524 $30,771 $10,507 65.9% 74.3%
5 $20,231 $30,771 $12,262 54.4% 92.4%
6 $22,909 $33,565 $44,934 58.2% 84.3%
7 $21,205 $30,409 $11,230 54.1% 96.1%
8 $22,673 $32,391 $10,687 69.8% 87.9%
9 $23,553 $33,565 $13,544 51.6% 87.8%
10 $25,885 $32,711 $37,420 56.0% 63.2%
11 $28,329 $35,060 $42,810 58.5% 59.0%
12 $26,198 $32,382 $36,842 77.1% 81.1%
13 $29,219 $35,157 $22,082 74.7% 79.7%
14 $30,470 $34,348 $53,638 63.5% 87.7%
15 $29,577 $32,925 $32,625 65.2% 81.0%
16 $30,074 $30,409 $21,524 84.3% 49.1%
17 $22,558 $41,414 71.0% 78.3%
18 $19,173 $41,720 72.8% 73.1%
19 $27,499 $24,510 56.1% 82.4%
20 $22,222 $39,570 72.5% 80.8%
21 $28,714 $37,300 46.1% 85.5%
22 $24,829 $38,370 69.2% 88.7%
23 $27,686 $40,640 78.5% 79.4%
24 $27,263 $44,510 58.7% 80.6%
25 $16,521 $19,964 24.4% 93.2%
26 $22,870 $29,990 71.4% 97.2%
27 $27,663 $56,402 68.9% 76.2%
28 $12,251 $33,968 60.4% 77.4%
29 $27,141 $38,310 58.5% 58.4%
30 $23,206 $37,951 69.5% 80.9%
31 $25,717 $43,810 66.2% 66.3%
32 $24,051 $35,815 50.5% 78.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes East Stroudsburg University such a strong value for social work students?

East Stroudsburg offers the lowest net cost in Pennsylvania at just $15,089, making it highly accessible for students seeking social work degrees. The university maintains a 93.63% acceptance rate and keeps student debt manageable at $22,500. While the graduation rate of 43.8% is modest, the extremely low cost means students can enter the workforce with minimal financial burden and starting salaries around $28,960.

How do public versus private social work programs compare in Pennsylvania?

Public universities consistently offer better value, with net costs ranging from $15,089 to $23,553 compared to private institutions that span $20,822 to $30,470. State schools like Slippery Rock and West Chester achieve graduation rates above 65% while maintaining low costs for in-state students. Private schools like La Salle and Eastern University do offer higher earning potential, reaching $37,568 and $32,711 respectively, but at significantly higher net costs.

Is Temple University worth the higher cost for social work students?

Temple's $29,219 net cost places it among the more expensive options, but graduates earn $35,157 annually, ranking third highest in the state. The university achieves a strong 74.7% graduation rate and maintains reasonable debt levels at $26,000. Temple's location in Philadelphia provides access to major healthcare systems, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies that actively recruit social work graduates.

Does graduation rate significantly impact value in Pennsylvania social work programs?

Graduation rates vary dramatically from 43.8% at East Stroudsburg to 77.1% at Elizabethtown College, directly affecting program value. Schools like West Chester and Slippery Rock combine reasonable costs with graduation rates above 65%, maximizing student success. Higher graduation rates typically correlate with better institutional support, career services, and field placement opportunities that help students complete their degrees and secure employment.

Where do Pennsylvania social work graduates find the best employment opportunities?

UPMC, Pennsylvania's largest employer, operates hospitals and health centers throughout the state that regularly hire social workers for patient advocacy and discharge planning roles. Philadelphia's concentration of healthcare systems, nonprofits, and government agencies creates the highest density of opportunities. Rural areas served by schools like East Stroudsburg and Slippery Rock face social worker shortages, often offering loan forgiveness programs and competitive starting salaries to attract graduates.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.