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Best Value Social Work Colleges in Wisconsin

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

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay delivers the strongest return on investment for Social Work students, charging just $12,878 net cost while graduates earn $37,808 annually. This positions UW-Green Bay graduates to earn nearly three times their educational investment within the first year after graduation. The earnings gap between Wisconsin's most and least expensive programs reaches $7,359, yet the highest-earning graduates come from mid-priced Viterbo University at $41,937 annually. Wisconsin's healthcare sector, anchored by major employers like Epic Systems and GE Healthcare, creates steady demand for social workers across clinical, school, and community settings. The state's public universities dominate the value equation, with eight of the top nine most affordable programs coming from the UW system, where net costs range from $12,878 to $16,948.
16
Programs
$12,878 – $29,237
Net Price Range
$33,965
Avg. Program Earnings
60.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

16 Social Work Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $12,878 $37,808 $8,342 53.1% 89.6%
2 $13,405 $37,671 $8,487 44.1% 95.6%
3 $13,726 $33,993 $8,834 56.0% 89.1%
4 $14,714 $35,988 $8,606 60.9% 84.5%
5 $14,761 $34,298 $8,212 57.9% 88.5%
6 $16,177 $32,711 $10,020 51.2% 86.3%
7 $16,948 $33,664 $9,277 67.6% 76.6%
8 $16,928 $32,569 $11,205 89.3% 49.1%
9 $18,295 $34,526 $34,390 58.9% 69.5%
10 $22,633 $41,937 $32,350 65.2% 72.4%
11 $23,341 $31,851 $33,000 41.2% 71.6%
12 $29,237 $32,569 $48,700 80.1% 87.2%
13 $24,813 $21,964 $36,500 60.5% 81.8%
14 $16,722 $32,794 50.5% 89.9%
15 $26,067 $34,250 64.3% 70.4%
16 $14,785 $8,250 64.3% 82.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Wisconsin-Green Bay the top value for Social Work?

UW-Green Bay combines the lowest net cost at $12,878 with strong graduate earnings of $37,808, creating a 2.9-to-1 earnings-to-cost ratio. The program maintains an 89.62% acceptance rate while achieving a 53.10% graduation rate. Students graduate with manageable debt loads averaging $19,168, well below the state average.

How do private university costs compare to public options in Wisconsin?

Private Social Work programs cost significantly more, with net prices ranging from $16,722 at Alverno College to $29,237 at Marquette University. Public universities average $14,946 in net costs compared to $23,198 for private institutions. However, Viterbo University graduates earn the highest salaries at $41,937, justifying its $22,633 net cost for some students.

Does University of Wisconsin-Madison provide good value despite higher costs?

UW-Madison charges $16,928 net cost, placing it eighth among Wisconsin programs, but delivers an strong 89.30% graduation rate. Graduates earn $32,569 annually with relatively low debt at $20,500. The combination of high completion rates and moderate debt makes Madison competitive despite higher upfront costs than other UW campuses.

Where do Wisconsin Social Work graduates find the best employment opportunities?

Wisconsin's healthcare industry, led by Epic Systems and GE Healthcare, creates strong demand for clinical and healthcare social workers. The state's manufacturing sector also requires industrial social workers, while rural areas need community-based practitioners. Graduates from programs near major metropolitan areas like Milwaukee and Madison typically access the broadest range of positions and higher starting salaries.

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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.