Cheapest Social Work Colleges in Texas

Texas A&M University-Central Texas breaks the mold with a net cost of just $1,113 for social work students, creating an unprecedented affordability gap in Texas higher education. While most public universities in the state charge between $6,500-$14,000 annually, this Killeen campus serves military families and working adults with costs that rival community college rates. The contrast becomes stark when comparing private options like Jarvis Christian University at $10,409 or Texas College at $10,650, though these institutions struggle with graduation rates below 16%. Texas social workers enter a massive healthcare ecosystem anchored by Houston's Texas Medical Center, the world's largest medical complex, where employers like HCA Healthcare and Baylor Scott & White create steady demand for qualified professionals. Earnings data reveals significant variation across programs, from $25,967 at Texas A&M-Commerce to $36,668 at Lamar University, reflecting both regional economic differences and program quality. Students benefit from state aid through the Texas Tomorrow Fund and TEXAS Grant programs, making public university education even more accessible for in-state residents pursuing social work careers.

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	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Texas A&M University-Central Texas Killeen, Texas	$1,113	$6,627		95.7%
2	The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg, Texas	$6,500	$9,859	49.3%	87.7%
3	The University of Texas Permian Basin Odessa, Texas	$9,144	$10,904	43.0%	94.7%
4	Texas A & M University-Kingsville Kingsville, Texas	$10,204	$9,892	45.6%	96.6%
5	Jarvis Christian University Hawkins, Texas	$10,409	$11,720	15.1%
6	Texas College Tyler, Texas	$10,650	$10,008	10.7%
7	The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, Texas	$10,726	$9,744	45.9%	99.9%
8	Texas Woman's University Denton, Texas	$10,948	$8,648	44.2%	93.6%
9	University of Houston-Clear Lake Houston, Texas	$11,056	$7,746	50.9%	69.4%
10	Texas A & M University-Commerce Commerce, Texas	$11,268	$10,026	45.9%	86.5%
11	Lamar University Beaumont, Texas	$11,429	$8,690	37.2%	83.7%
12	Midwestern State University Wichita Falls, Texas	$11,882	$10,310	41.3%	92.4%
13	Angelo State University San Angelo, Texas	$12,915	$8,319	40.7%	79.1%
14	The University of Texas at Tyler Tyler, Texas	$13,931	$9,920	46.8%	93.9%
15	Prairie View A & M University Prairie View, Texas	$14,041	$11,299	43.2%	76.1%
16	University of North Texas Denton, Texas	$14,352	$11,164	59.6%	79.1%
17	University of Houston-Downtown Houston, Texas	$14,623	$7,708	33.8%	88.4%
18	Stephen F Austin State University Nacogdoches, Texas	$15,152	$10,600	51.7%	89.5%
19	The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, Texas	$15,235	$11,728	56.5%	80.8%
20	Texas State University San Marcos, Texas	$16,438	$11,450	56.2%	87.7%
21	Our Lady of the Lake University San Antonio, Texas	$17,760	$31,728	42.4%
22	Southwestern Assemblies of God University Waxahachie, Texas	$19,655	$18,610	35.5%	85.7%
23	The University of Texas at Austin Austin, Texas	$19,678	$11,678	87.6%	31.4%
24	Texas Southern University Houston, Texas	$19,734	$9,173	19.9%	96.8%
25	Texas Tech University Lubbock, Texas	$20,071	$11,852	67.5%	67.3%
26	Tarleton State University Stephenville, Texas	$20,261	$7,878	51.2%	87.1%
27	West Texas A & M University Canyon, Texas	$20,841	$9,101	47.3%	91.6%
28	Hardin-Simmons University Abilene, Texas	$21,031	$31,686	49.6%	88.3%
29	Saint Edward's University Austin, Texas	$23,636	$51,384	64.2%	85.1%
30	Howard Payne University Brownwood, Texas	$25,255	$33,322	31.1%	62.3%
31	Lubbock Christian University Lubbock, Texas	$25,910	$27,298	48.7%	81.6%
32	Abilene Christian University Abilene, Texas	$27,401	$42,380	60.2%	65.8%
33	University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Belton, Texas	$28,690	$33,150	53.4%	95.7%
34	Texas Christian University Fort Worth, Texas	$33,531	$57,220	85.6%	56.1%
35	Baylor University Waco, Texas	$41,942	$54,844	80.2%	45.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Texas A&M-Central Texas so much cheaper than other social work programs?

The university's net cost of $1,113 reflects its focus on serving military families and working adults in the Killeen area, near Fort Hood. The campus operates with lower overhead costs and receives specific funding to support military-connected students. This creates an affordability advantage of nearly $5,400 compared to the next cheapest option, UT Rio Grande Valley at $6,500.

How do graduation rates affect the value of affordable social work programs in Texas?

Graduation rates vary dramatically among affordable options, from 10.7% at Texas College to 50.9% at University of Houston-Clear Lake. UT Rio Grande Valley maintains a solid 49.3% graduation rate despite its $6,500 net cost, while some private colleges like Jarvis Christian struggle with only 15.1% completion rates. Students should weigh low costs against completion likelihood when choosing programs.

Where do Texas social work graduates earn the highest starting salaries?

Lamar University graduates command the highest earnings at $36,668, despite the program's $11,429 net cost and moderate 37.2% graduation rate. Angelo State follows closely at $33,993, while Prairie View A&M graduates earn $34,420. The lowest reported earnings come from Texas A&M-Commerce at $25,967, showing an $11,000 salary gap between the highest and lowest earning programs.

Does student debt vary significantly among affordable Texas social work programs?

Student debt ranges from $15,126 at UT Rio Grande Valley to $32,500 at Texas College, showing that lower net costs don't always translate to lower debt loads. Texas A&M-Central Texas, despite its $1,113 net cost, still sees graduates with $22,843 in debt. Lamar University graduates carry $31,000 in debt but offset this with the state's highest social work earnings at $36,668.

What job opportunities exist for social workers in Texas healthcare systems?

Texas maintains the second-largest healthcare workforce in the United States, centered around Houston's Texas Medical Center complex. Major employers like HCA Healthcare, Baylor Scott & White, and MD Anderson Cancer Center actively recruit social workers for hospital systems, outpatient clinics, and specialized medical programs. The state's growing population and aging demographics create consistent demand for social workers across urban and rural healthcare settings.

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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.