by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2025, College Factual analyzed 19 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Social Work Master's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 2,858 master's degrees in social work to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology
Your choice of social work for getting your master's degree school matters. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges for a Master's Degree ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of master's graduates during the early years of their career. That is, everyone wants their master's degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for social work students working on their master's degree.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Social Work Master's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list, to help you choose the best school for you.
Explore the top ranked colleges and universities for social work students seeking a a master's degree.
University of Kansas is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a master's degree in social work. KU is a very large public university located in the small city of Lawrence.
After graduation, social work master's recipients typically earn around $51,167 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a master’s in social work from University of Kansas
University of Iowa is a great decision for students interested in a master's degree in social work. Iowa is a fairly large public university located in the city of Iowa City.
Master's students who receive their degree from the social work program make about $49,761 in their early career salary.
More information about a master’s in social work from University of Iowa
Saint Louis University is one of the best schools in the country for getting a master's degree in social work. SLU is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Saint Louis.
Master's graduates who receive their degree from the social work program make an average of $48,270 in their early career salary.
More information about a master’s in social work from Saint Louis University
Every student pursuing a degree in a master's degree in social work has to look into Augsburg University. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Augsburg is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.
Social Work master's degree recipients from Augsburg University get an earnings boost of around $7,374 above the average income of social work graduates.
More information about a master’s in social work from Augsburg University
Located in the small city of Grand Forks, UND is a public university with a large student population.
Master's recipients from the social work program at University of North Dakota earn $9,529 above the standard college grad in this field shortly after graduation.
More information about a master’s in social work from University of North Dakota
Located in the large city of Saint Paul, St. Kate's is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.More information about a master’s in social work from St Catherine University
Located in the large city of Omaha, UNOMAHA is a public university with a large student population.
Master's graduates who receive their degree from the social work program make about $52,893 in their early career salary.
More information about a master’s in social work from University of Nebraska at Omaha
Located in the city of Cedar Falls, UNI is a public university with a medium-sized student population.
Master's graduates who receive their degree from the social work program earn an average of $52,302 in the first couple years of working.
More information about a master’s in social work from University of Northern Iowa
Located in the medium-sized city of Springfield, Missouri State is a public university with a very large student population.
Master's graduates who receive their degree from the social work program make an average of $47,154 for their early career.
More information about a master’s in social work from Missouri State University - Springfield
Located in the city of Duluth, St. Scholastica is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
Students who graduate with their master's from the social work program state that they receive average early career earnings of $51,351.
More information about a master’s in social work from The College of Saint ScholasticaExplore the best social work colleges for a specific state in the Plains States Region .
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri | 193 | 521 |
| Minnesota | 174 | 1,354 |
| Iowa | 154 | 191 |
| Kansas | 149 | 331 |
| Nebraska | 123 | 100 |
| North Dakota | 115 | 74 |
| South Dakota | 89 | 0 |
Social Work is one of 0 different types of <nil> programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Social Work | 2,857 |
| Child Advocacy & Policy | 1 |
