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2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

24 Ranked Colleges
2,479 Degrees Awarded
$21,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking.

Social Work is the 12th most popular major in the country with 57,618 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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 Plains States region, there were 4,575 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,827 and $29,452 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 2,479 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,438 and $39,783 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 24 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in social work. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality social work programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the social work program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 24 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Work (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

#1

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Washington University in St Louis. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. WUSTL is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 247 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

WUSTL not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at WUSTL are $56,562, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at Washington University in St Louis

#2

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #2 spot on the list. UMN Twin Cities is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 124 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities are $28,845, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at UMN Twin Cities

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Duluth, Minnesota, and it awarded 43 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Duluth also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #13. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Duluth are $28,606, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at University of Minnesota - Duluth

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #4 spot on the list. Columbia, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 102 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree social work students whose families make $48-$75k list, Mizzou has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - Columbia are $27,193, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at Mizzou

#5

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Dakota. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. This fairly large school is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and it awarded 75 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UND not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Dakota are $18,326, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at UND

#6

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #6. Saint Cloud State University is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. It awarded 47 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Cloud State University also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #17. Average graduate tuition and fees at St. Cloud State University are $12,904, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at Saint Cloud State University

#7

St Catherine University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#14 in overall quality

St Catherine University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. St. Kate’s is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 17 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree social work students whose families make $48-$75k list, St. Kate’s has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at St. Kate’s are $17,400, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full St. Kate’s Social Work Report

Minnesota State University - Mankato ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a fairly large public school situated in Mankato, Minnesota. It awarded 30 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Minnesota State Mankato not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State University - Mankato are $8,788, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Minnesota State University - Mankato Social Work Report

#9

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri

University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UMSL is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 61 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UMSL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMSL are $30,154, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at University of Missouri - St Louis

#10

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This medium-sized school is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and it awarded 31 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UNI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Northern Iowa are $22,648, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at University of Northern Iowa

University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #11. University of Nebraska at Omaha is a fairly large school located in Omaha, Nebraska that handed out 97 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNOMAHA, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNOMAHA are $16,374, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at University of Nebraska at Omaha

#12

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

With a ranking of #12, University of Iowa did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Iowa City, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 101 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree social work students whose families make $48-$75k list, Iowa has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Iowa are $27,613, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Iowa Social Work Report

#13

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas

With a ranking of #13, University of Kansas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Kansas is located in Lawrence, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 207 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

KU also took the #6 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at KU are $25,007, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at University of Kansas

#14

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri

University of Missouri - Kansas City ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and it awarded 51 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UMKC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMKC are $26,699, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at University of Missouri - Kansas City

With a ranking of #15, The College of Saint Scholastica did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Duluth, Minnesota, and it awarded 30 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree social work students whose families make $48-$75k list, St. Scholastica has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at The College of Saint Scholastica are $15,502, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at The College of Saint Scholastica

#16

Washburn University

Topeka, Kansas

Washburn University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Washburn University is located in Topeka, Kansas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 60 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

Washburn University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Washburn University are $19,206, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Washburn University Social Work Report

Missouri State University - Springfield landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Missouri State is a public institution located in Springfield, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 31 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Missouri State also took the #18 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri State are $12,042, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Missouri State Social Work Report

#18

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri

With a ranking of #18, Saint Louis University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. SLU is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 81 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SLU, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SLU are $22,074, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full SLU Social Work Report

#19

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas

With a ranking of #19, Wichita State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Wichita, Kansas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 49 students in 2019-2020.

WSU also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #20. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Wichita State University are $15,112.

Read full report on Social Work at WSU

#20

Newman University

Wichita, Kansas

Newman University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Newman University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Wichita, Kansas. It awarded 49 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree social work students whose families make $48-$75k list, Newman University has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Newman University are $8,484, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at Newman University

#21

Augsburg University

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Augsburg University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 81 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

Augsburg also took the #11 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Augsburg are $13,165, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at Augsburg

#22

Park University

Parkville, Missouri

With a ranking of #22, Park University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Park University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Parkville, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 33 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Park University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Park University are $6,224.

Read more about Social Work at Park University

#23

University of St Thomas Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota

University of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of St Thomas Minnesota is a medium-sized school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 117 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UST MN also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of St Thomas Minnesota are $24,814, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at UST MN

#24

Saint Ambrose University

Davenport, Iowa

With a ranking of #24, Saint Ambrose University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. St. Ambrose University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Davenport, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 20 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Ambrose University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at St. Ambrose University are $18,150, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Saint Ambrose University Social Work Report

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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.

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