by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2025, College Factual analyzed 39 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Social Work Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 1,872 bachelor's degrees in social work to qualified students.
What's on this page: * Our Methodology
Your choice of social work for getting your bachelor's degree school matters. Important measures of a quality social work program can vary widely even among the top schools. When choosing a school we recommend considering some of the following factors:
The overall quality of a bachelor's degree school is important to ensure a good education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To take this into account we consider a college's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a host of various factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving their bachelor's degree from the school. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue their bachelor's degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.
The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.
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 bachelor's degree.
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Social Work Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.
Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's degree in social work.
Every student pursuing a degree in a bachelor's degree in social work needs to check out University of Iowa. Located in the city of Iowa City, Iowa is a public university with a very large student population.
Soon after graduation, social work bachelor's recipients usually earn about $39,285 in their early careers.
More information about a bachelor’s in social work from University of Iowa
University of Kansas is a great option for individuals interested in a bachelor's degree in social work. Located in the small city of Lawrence, KU is a public university with a very large student population.
Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the social work program earn an average of $40,032 in their early career salary.
More information about a bachelor’s in social work from University of Kansas
Any student pursuing a degree in a bachelor's degree in social work needs to look into University of Missouri - Columbia. Located in the midsize city of Columbia, Mizzou is a public university with a fairly large student population.
Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the social work program state that they receive average early career income of $38,236.
More information about a bachelor’s in social work from University of Missouri - Columbia
Every student who is interested in a bachelor's degree in social work has to take a look at University of Northern Iowa. UNI is a moderately-sized public university located in the small city of Cedar Falls.
Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the social work program state that they receive average early career income of $37,257.
More information about a bachelor’s in social work from University of Northern Iowa
Located in the medium-sized suburb of Moorhead, MSU Moorhead is a public university with a small student population.
Bachelor's recipients from the social work program at Minnesota State University - Moorhead make $3,255 more than the typical college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.
More information about a bachelor’s in social work from Minnesota State University - Moorhead
Located in the town of Winona, Winona State is a public university with a medium-sized student population.
Social Work bachelor's degree recipients from Winona State University earn a boost of around $4,330 above the typical earnings of social work graduates.
More information about a bachelor’s in social work from Winona State University
St. Scholastica is a small private not-for-profit college located in the city of Duluth.
Social Work bachelor's degree recipients from The College of Saint Scholastica get an earnings boost of about $5,155 over the typical earnings of social work graduates.
More information about a bachelor’s in social work from The College of Saint Scholastica
Minnesota State Mankato is a large public university located in the city of Mankato.
Social Work bachelor's degree recipients from Minnesota State University - Mankato receive an earnings boost of around $2,699 above the typical income of social work graduates.
More information about a bachelor’s in social work from Minnesota State University - Mankato
UND is a fairly large public university located in the city of Grand Forks.
Those social work students who get their bachelor's degree from University of North Dakota earn $9,479 more than the average social work student.
More information about a bachelor’s in social work from University of North Dakota
Located in the town of Northfield, St. Olaf is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
Those social work students who get their bachelor's degree from St Olaf College earn $4,930 more than the average social work graduate.
More information about a bachelor’s in social work from St Olaf CollegeExplore the best social work colleges for a specific state in the Plains States Region .
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri | 228 | 391 |
| Minnesota | 215 | 621 |
| Iowa | 197 | 314 |
| Kansas | 184 | 273 |
| Nebraska | 180 | 151 |
| North Dakota | 149 | 179 |
| South Dakota | 148 | 20 |
Social Work is one of 0 different types of <nil> programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Social Work | 1,872 |
