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2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

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 Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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.

For this year’s “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 24 colleges that offer a degree in social work. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality social work programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the social work program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Social Work Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that 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 for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

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 Getting Aid.

Top 24 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Work in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

#1

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - 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 Getting Aid. University of Missouri - St Louis is a public institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 61 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UMSL also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #19. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - St Louis are $30,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at UMSL

#2

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Saint Cloud State University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and 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 Saint Cloud State University are $12,904, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at Saint Cloud State University

#3

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Dakota landed the #3 spot on the list. University of North Dakota is a fairly large public school situated in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It awarded 75 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UND also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Dakota are $18,326, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at University of North Dakota

#4

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 124 students in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities also took the #4 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities are $28,845.

Full UMN Twin Cities Social Work Report

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Mankato, Minnesota, this fairly large public school handed out 30 degrees to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree social work students with aid list, Minnesota State Mankato has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State Mankato are $8,788.

Read full report on Social Work at Minnesota State University - Mankato

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 Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. UNOMAHA is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 97 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

UNOMAHA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNOMAHA are $16,374, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at University of Nebraska at Omaha

With a ranking of #7, University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Minnesota - Duluth is located in Duluth, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 43 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

UMN Duluth did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Duluth are $28,606, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UMN Duluth Social Work Report

#8

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UNI is a medium-sized school located in Cedar Falls, Iowa that handed out 31 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNI, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNI are $22,648, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at UNI

University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Missouri - Columbia is a large school located in Columbia, Missouri that handed out 102 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Mizzou also took the #5 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - Columbia are $27,193.

Read full report on Social Work at Mizzou

#10

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Iowa is a public institution located in Iowa City, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 101 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Iowa are $27,613, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at University of Iowa

#11

St Catherine University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#14 in overall quality

St Catherine University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 17 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

St. Kate’s did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 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 St. Kate’s are $17,400.

Read full report on Social Work at St. Kate’s

#12

Washburn University

Topeka, Kansas

Washburn University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Washburn University, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Washburn University are $19,206.

Read more about Social Work at Washburn University

#13

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri

University of Missouri - Kansas City came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Missouri - Kansas City is located in Kansas City, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 51 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

UMKC also took the #23 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMKC are $26,699, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at University of Missouri - Kansas City

#14

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri

Washington University in St Louis landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 247 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree social work students with aid list, WUSTL has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Washington University in St Louis are $56,562.

Full Washington University in St Louis Social Work Report

#15

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas

Wichita State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Wichita State University is located in Wichita, Kansas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 49 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WSU, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wichita State University are $15,112, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Wichita State University Social Work Report

#16

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. KU 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.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree social work students with aid list, KU has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at KU are $25,007.

Full University of Kansas Social Work Report

#17

Newman University

Wichita, Kansas

Newman University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Wichita, Kansas, and 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 with aid 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 more about Social Work at Newman University

Missouri State University - Springfield landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Missouri State is a large school located in Springfield, Missouri that handed out 31 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Missouri State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri State are $12,042, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at Missouri State

With a ranking of #19, 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 Getting Aid list. Duluth, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 30 students in 2019-2020.

St. Scholastica not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 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 St. Scholastica are $15,502.

Full The College of Saint Scholastica Social Work Report

#20

Augsburg University

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Augsburg University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Augsburg University is a small school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 81 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Augsburg did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 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 Augsburg University are $13,165.

Read more about Social Work at Augsburg University

#21

Park University

Parkville, Missouri

Park University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Park University is located in Parkville, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 33 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

Park University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Park University are $6,224, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at Park University

#22

University of St Thomas Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota

University of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 117 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UST MN did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 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 UST MN are $24,814.

Read more about Social Work at University of St Thomas Minnesota

#23

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. SLU is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 81 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at Saint Louis University

#24

Saint Ambrose University

Davenport, Iowa

Saint Ambrose University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Davenport, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 20 students in 2019-2020.

St. Ambrose University also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #22. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Ambrose University are $18,150, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at Saint Ambrose University

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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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