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Best Value Social Work Colleges in Texas

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

Texas social work programs show a striking cost advantage over earnings potential, with some schools delivering graduates who earn nearly $41,000 while maintaining net prices below $21,000. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley leads affordability at just $6,500 net cost, while Texas Tech graduates command the highest starting salaries at $40,737. This financial advantage aligns perfectly with Texas hosting the world's largest medical complex in Houston and employing the nation's second-largest healthcare workforce. Major employers like HCA Healthcare, Baylor Scott & White, and MD Anderson create steady demand for social workers across the state. The 15 programs span from border communities to major metropolitan areas, with graduation rates ranging from 33.8% to 67.5%. State funding through the TEXAS Grant and Texas Tomorrow Fund further reduces costs for in-state students, making these already affordable programs even more accessible for aspiring social workers.
35
Programs
$1,113 – $41,942
Net Price Range
$33,130
Avg. Program Earnings
48.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

35 Social Work Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $6,500 $28,023 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
2 $11,429 $36,668 $8,690 37.2% 83.7%
3 $10,948 $32,569 $8,648 44.2% 93.6%
4 $10,204 $28,309 $9,892 45.6% 96.6%
5 $10,726 $28,870 $9,744 45.9% 99.9%
6 $12,915 $33,993 $8,319 40.7% 79.1%
7 $11,882 $31,236 $10,310 41.3% 92.4%
8 $14,352 $35,772 $11,164 59.6% 79.1%
9 $14,041 $34,420 $11,299 43.2% 76.1%
10 $11,268 $25,967 $10,026 45.9% 86.5%
11 $15,152 $34,206 $10,600 51.7% 89.5%
12 $14,623 $32,174 $7,708 33.8% 88.4%
13 $15,235 $33,500 $11,728 56.5% 80.8%
14 $16,438 $35,950 $11,450 56.2% 87.7%
15 $20,071 $40,737 $11,852 67.5% 67.3%
16 $17,760 $35,274 $31,728 42.4%
17 $20,261 $35,653 $7,878 51.2% 87.1%
18 $20,841 $35,179 $9,101 47.3% 91.6%
19 $19,734 $30,409 $9,173 19.9% 96.8%
20 $19,678 $27,474 $11,678 87.6% 31.4%
21 $23,636 $31,127 $51,384 64.2% 85.1%
22 $25,910 $32,925 $27,298 48.7% 81.6%
23 $33,531 $41,565 $57,220 85.6% 56.1%
24 $19,655 $18,610 35.5% 85.7%
25 $27,401 $42,380 60.2% 65.8%
26 $28,690 $33,150 53.4% 95.7%
27 $10,409 $11,720 15.1%
28 $13,931 $9,920 46.8% 93.9%
29 $10,650 $10,008 10.7%
30 $9,144 $10,904 43.0% 94.7%
31 $25,255 $33,322 31.1% 62.3%
32 $11,056 $7,746 50.9% 69.4%
33 $21,031 $31,686 49.6% 88.3%
34 $41,942 $54,844 80.2% 45.9%
35 $1,113 $6,627 95.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Texas Rio Grande Valley such an strong value for social work?

UTRGV offers the lowest net cost at $6,500 with graduates earning $28,023 starting salaries and carrying just $15,126 in debt. The school serves the Rio Grande Valley's large Hispanic population, providing critical bilingual social services along the Texas-Mexico border. With an 87.7% acceptance rate and 49.3% graduation rate, students gain affordable access to social work education in an underserved region where their skills are desperately needed.

How do graduation rates correlate with earnings at Texas social work programs?

Texas Tech leads both categories with a 67.5% graduation rate and $40,737 starting salaries, while University of Houston-Downtown shows the opposite pattern with a 33.8% graduation rate despite decent $32,174 earnings. University of North Texas demonstrates strong performance in both areas at 59.6% graduation rate and $35,772 earnings. The data suggests that programs with higher completion rates generally prepare students for better-paying positions in the competitive Texas job market.

Is debt load manageable for Texas social work graduates compared to their earnings?

Most Texas social work programs maintain reasonable debt-to-income ratios, with several schools like UTRGV and UT El Paso keeping debt below $17,000 against starting salaries around $28,000. However, some programs like Lamar University show concerning patterns with $31,000 average debt despite strong $36,668 earnings. The state's relatively low tuition costs and financial aid programs help keep borrowing manageable for most students entering this traditionally lower-paying but socially vital field.

Does Texas Woman's University offer good value despite its specialized focus?

TWU delivers solid value with $10,948 net costs and graduates earning $32,569 with moderate $21,070 debt loads. The university's 93.6% acceptance rate makes it highly accessible, while its 44.2% graduation rate falls in the middle range for Texas programs. As a historically women's institution, TWU brings unique perspectives to social work education, particularly valuable in addressing gender-based violence and women's health issues throughout Texas communities.

Where do the highest-earning social work graduates in Texas typically work?

Texas Tech graduates earn the most at $40,737, likely benefiting from West Texas oil industry social services and the university's strong alumni networks in major cities. The state's massive healthcare infrastructure, including Houston's Texas Medical Center and major hospital systems like Baylor Scott & White, creates high-demand positions for clinical social workers. HCA Healthcare and MD Anderson Cancer Center specifically seek social workers for patient support, family services, and community outreach programs across their Texas facilities.

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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.