2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.
In 2019-2020, 57,618 people earned their degree in social work, making the major the 12th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, social work graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $36,459 and had an average of $30,084 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Great Lakes region, there were 10,171 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,708 and $29,897 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 5,096 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 46 colleges that offered a degree in social work. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent social work programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the social work program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k.
Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Work (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region
Out of the 46 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #1 spot on the list. University of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 199 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Out of the 46 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #2 spot on the list. U-M is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 379 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree social work students whose families make $30-$48k list, U-M has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548.
Read full report on Social Work at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Out of the 46 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 167 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.
UW - Madison also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523.
Read full report on Social Work at University of Wisconsin - Madison
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 151 students in 2019-2020.
UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Ohio State University - Main Campus. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 365 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Ohio State also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Indiana University - Bloomington came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school awarded 29 degrees to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree social work students whose families make $30-$48k list, IU Bloomington has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read more about Social Work at Indiana University - Bloomington
Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 425 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.
IUPUI also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #9. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis are $26,013.
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UW - Green Bay is a medium-sized public school situated in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It awarded 60 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Green Bay, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Green Bay are $19,126, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read more about Social Work at University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
University of Illinois at Chicago came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 248 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.
UIC also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Grand Valley State University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. GVSU is a public institution located in Allendale, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 143 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
GVSU also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at GVSU are $17,448, but some majors have different tuition rates.
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and it awarded 16 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.
UW Oshkosh did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW Oshkosh are $18,744, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Social Work at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
With a ranking of #12, Case Western Reserve University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Cleveland, Ohio, and it awarded 223 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.
Case Western not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Case Western are $47,958, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. SIUE is located in Edwardsville, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 29 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are $9,300, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Social Work at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Indiana University - East did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Indiana University - East is located in Richmond, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.
Average graduate tuition and fees at IU East are $18,275, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Aurora University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Aurora, Illinois, and it awarded 460 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree social work students whose families make $30-$48k list, Aurora has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Aurora University are $13,200, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
With a ranking of #16, University of Wisconsin - Whitewater did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Whitewater, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 27 students in 2019-2020.
UW - Whitewater did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Whitewater are $19,200, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read more about Social Work at University of Wisconsin - Whitewater
Ferris State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ferris State University is located in Big Rapids, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 29 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Ferris are $7,908, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Governors State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University Park, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 48 students in 2019-2020.
Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Governors State University are $14,674.
Read full report on Social Work at Governors State University
Wayne State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Wayne State University is a public institution located in Detroit, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 322 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wayne State, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State are $37,215, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is a public institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 129 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
UWM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee are $25,295, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Saginaw Valley State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. Saginaw Valley State University is located in University Center, Michigan and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 56 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Saginaw Valley State University are $28,780, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Youngstown State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Youngstown State University is located in Youngstown, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 71 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.
Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Youngstown State University are $9,495.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 91 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.
Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are $32,928.
Full Southern Illinois University Carbondale Social Work Report
Michigan State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. Michigan State University is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 27 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Michigan State also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State are $37,056.
University of St Francis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. Joliet, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 26 students in 2019-2020.
University of Saint Francis not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Saint Francis are $13,839, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Social Work at University of Saint Francis
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Notes and References
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
Footnotes
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
Credits
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Army Medicine.
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