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2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

49 Ranked Colleges
4,791 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Social Work Schools 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. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Social Work is the 13th most popular major in the country with 58,326 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, social work graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $37,651 and had an average of $26,679 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 4,791 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,939 and $30,670 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 49 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.

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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Social Work Schools

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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 in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

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

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Social Work (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

1
WUSTL crest
Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Washington University in St Louis. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. WUSTL is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 267 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

WUSTL also made our “Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for Washington University in St Louis is $8,149 for Plains States Region Social Work students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Washington University in St Louis Social Work Report

2

Out of the 49 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools 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 117 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also took the #5 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $12,911 for plains states region social work students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at UMN Twin Cities

3
UMSL crest
University of Missouri - St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - St Louis. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Missouri - St Louis is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 122 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $11,291 for Plains States Region Social Work students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UMSL.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UMSL Social Work Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - Columbia. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Missouri - Columbia is a large public school situated in Columbia, Missouri. It awarded 29 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

Mizzou also took the #12 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,715 for plains states region social work students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Missouri - Columbia.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at Mizzou

5
MSU crest
Minot State University
Minot, North Dakota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Minot State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. MSU is located in Minot, North Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 78 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

MSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $11,911 for Plains States Region Social Work students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend MSU.

Full MSU Social Work Report

6
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

With a ranking of #6, University of North Dakota did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of North Dakota is a fairly large school located in Grand Forks, North Dakota that handed out 157 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region social work students whose families make $48-$75k list, UND has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,818 for plains states region social work students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of North Dakota.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Work at University of North Dakota

7

Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Minnesota State Mankato is a fairly large public school situated in Mankato, Minnesota. It awarded 94 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

Minnesota State Mankato not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State Mankato is $14,995 for plains states region social work students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Minnesota State University - Mankato Social Work Report

8
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #8. Winona State is a public institution located in Winona, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 81 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Winona State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $15,289 for Plains States Region Social Work students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Winona State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Work at Winona State University

9

University of Minnesota - Duluth came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Duluth, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 80 degrees to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Duluth is $13,364 for plains states region social work students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at UMN Duluth

10

Minnesota State University - Moorhead ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. MSU Moorhead is located in Moorhead, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 57 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

MSU Moorhead also took the #16 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,809 for plains states region social work students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Minnesota State University - Moorhead.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at MSU Moorhead

11
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

With a ranking of #11, Saint Cloud State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Saint Cloud, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 94 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Cloud State University, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,140 for Plains States Region Social Work students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Saint Cloud State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Work at Saint Cloud State University

12
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, this medium-sized public school handed out 121 diplomas to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.

UNI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UNI is $15,287 for plains states region social work students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Northern Iowa Social Work Report

13

University of Nebraska at Omaha landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Nebraska at Omaha is a fairly large school located in Omaha, Nebraska that handed out 153 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

UNOMAHA also made our “Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #22. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha is $13,574 for plains states region social work students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at University of Nebraska at Omaha

14
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

With a ranking of #14, Kansas State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Kansas State University is a public institution located in Manhattan, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 50 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region social work students whose families make $48-$75k list, K -State has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Kansas State University is $16,868 for plains states region social work students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full K -State Social Work Report

15
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

With a ranking of #15, University of Iowa did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 174 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

Iowa also took the #4 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $18,026 for plains states region social work students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Social Work at University of Iowa

16
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Lawrence, Kansas, this large public school handed out 224 diplomas to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.

KU also took the #9 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Kansas is $18,586 for plains states region social work students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Social Work at KU

17
WSU crest
Wichita State University
Wichita, Kansas

Wichita State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Wichita, Kansas, and it awarded 134 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for WSU is $14,581 for Plains States Region Social Work students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Social Work at Wichita State University

18
St. Kate's crest
St Catherine University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

With a ranking of #18, St Catherine University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social work degrees to 66 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region social work students whose families make $48-$75k list, St. Kate’s has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for St Catherine University is $15,942 for plains states region social work students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full St. Kate’s Social Work Report

19

University of Nebraska at Kearney did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #19. UNK is located in Kearney, Nebraska and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 44 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $16,311 for Plains States Region Social Work students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UNK.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at UNK

20
Metro State crest
Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

With a ranking of #20, Metropolitan State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Metropolitan State University is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 61 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

Metro State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Metropolitan State University is $16,515 for Plains States Region Social Work students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Metro State Social Work Report

21

Southwest Minnesota State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Southwest Minnesota State University is located in Marshall, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Southwest Minnesota State University is $12,156 for Plains States Region Social Work students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Southwest Minnesota State University Social Work Report

22

Fort Hays State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. FHSU is located in Hays, Kansas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 54 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Fort Hays State University is $13,208 for Plains States Region Social Work students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Social Work at Fort Hays State University

22

Missouri Southern State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Joplin, Missouri, and it awarded 23 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Missouri Southern is $10,215 for plains states region social work students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Social Work at Missouri Southern State University

24
Bemidji State University crest
Bemidji State University
Bemidji, Minnesota

With a ranking of #24, Bemidji State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Bemidji, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 33 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Bemidji State University is $14,520 for Plains States Region Social Work students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Work at Bemidji State University

25
Loras crest
Loras College
Dubuque, Iowa

Loras College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #25. Dubuque, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social work degrees to 18 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region social work students whose families make $48-$75k list, Loras has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Loras is $19,010 for Plains States Region Social Work students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Loras College Social Work Report

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