2024 Best Social Work Master's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region
Ranked #3 in popularity,
social work is one of the most sought-after master's degree programs in the nation. This means there are lots of options to choose from when you decide to get your degree.
College Factual looked at 26 colleges and universities when compiling its 2024 Best Social Work Master's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 2,571 master's degrees in social work to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology
Choosing a Great Social Work School for Your Master's Degree
Your choice of social work for getting your master's degree school matters. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.
A Great Overall School
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges for a Master's Degree ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
Early-Career Earnings
One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of master's graduates during the early years of their career. That is, everyone wants their master's degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.
Other Factors We Consider
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
- Major Focus - How many resources a school devotes to social work students as compared to other majors.
- Major Demand - How many other social work students want to attend this school to pursue a master's degree.
- Educational Resources - The amount of money and other resources allocated to students while they are pursuing their degree. These resources include such things as number of students per instructor and education expenditures per student.
- Student Debt - How much debt social work students go into to obtain their master's degree and how well they are able to pay back that debt.
- Accreditation - Whether a school is regionally accredited and/or accredited by a recognized social work related body.
Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for social work students working on their master's degree.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Social Work Master's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list, to help you choose the best school for you.
Best Schools for Master’s Students to Study Social Work in the Plains States Region
Explore the top ranked colleges and universities for social work students seeking a a master's degree.
10 Top Plains States Region Schools for a Master's in Social Work
Washington University in St Louis is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a master's degree in social work. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, WUSTL is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.
Master's students who receive their degree from the social work program earn an average of $42,327 in their early career salary.
More information about a master’s in social work from Washington University in St Louis
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a great option for students interested in a master's degree in social work. Located in the city of Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public university with a very large student population.
Master's recipients from the social work major at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities get $5,790 above the standard graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.
More information about a master’s in social work from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
University of St Thomas Minnesota is a great option for individuals interested in a master's degree in social work. Located in the large city of Saint Paul, UST MN is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population.
Those social work students who get their master's degree from University of St Thomas Minnesota receive $4,317 more than the typical social work grad.
More information about a master’s in social work from University of St Thomas Minnesota
University of Kansas is one of the best schools in the country for getting a master's degree in social work. KU is a fairly large public university located in the city of Lawrence.
After graduating, social work master's recipients typically earn around $43,529 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a master’s in social work from University of Kansas
Iowa is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Iowa City.
Master's graduates who receive their degree from the social work program make about $43,677 for their early career.
More information about a master’s in social work from University of Iowa
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