2023 Best Value Colleges for Social Work (Income $0-$30k) in California
25
Ranked Colleges
4,819
Degrees Awarded
$10,500
Avg Net Price*
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 in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.
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 California, there were 4,819 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $48,229 and $20,404 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 25 colleges that offered a degree in social work. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great social work programs and 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
One Size Does Not Fit All
The social work school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k”.
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 in California For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Social Work (Income $0-$30k) in California
Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #1 spot on the list. UC Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 197 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend UC Berkeley is $8,450 for california social work students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Social Work at UC Berkeley
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 308 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.
Cal State LA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State LA is $1,887 for California Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Cal State LA Social Work Report
Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fresno landed the #3 spot on the list. California State University - Fresno is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 184 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
Fresno State also took the #10 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fresno is $3,859 for california social work students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Read more about Social Work at California State University - Fresno
Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 92 degrees to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,037 for California Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of California - Los Angeles.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Social Work at UCLA
Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - San Bernardino landed the #5 spot on the list. CSUSB is located in San Bernardino, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 155 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.
CSUSB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Bernardino is $5,985 for California Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Social Work at CSUSB
University of Southern California came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. USC is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,081 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.
USC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list. It costs about $17,287 for california social work students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend USC.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.
Read full report on Social Work at USC
California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school awarded 301 diplomas to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.
CSULB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $6,663 for California Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full CSULB Social Work Report
San Diego State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. SDSU is a large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 201 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
SDSU also made our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $7,169 for California Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SDSU.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full San Diego State University Social Work Report
With a ranking of #9, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Sacramento is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 310 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Sac State, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Sacramento is $8,163 for california social work students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 Sac State
California State University - Fullerton ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 107 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State Fullerton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State Fullerton is $4,590 for California Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Read more about Social Work at California State University - Fullerton
California State University - Dominguez Hills came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. CSUDH is a fairly large public school situated in Carson, California. It awarded 86 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUDH not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend CSUDH is $2,657 for California Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Dominguez Hills Social Work Report
California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Turlock, California, this fairly large public school awarded 87 diplomas to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Stan State, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Stanislaus is $4,122 for california social work students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Full California State University - Stanislaus Social Work Report
California State University - East Bay came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Hayward, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 77 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california social work students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal State East Bay has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal State East Bay is $9,975 for California Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Social Work at California State University - East Bay
California State University - Bakersfield landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 81 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.
CSUB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list. It costs about $5,238 for california social work students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Bakersfield.
Read more about Social Work at California State University - Bakersfield
San Jose State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Jose State University is located in San Jose, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 211 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.
San Jose State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State is $12,158 for california social work students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full San Jose State University Social Work Report
California State University - Northridge landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. CSUN is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 148 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUN did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend CSUN is $6,266 for California Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 California State University - Northridge
California State University - Chico came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Chico, California, this fairly large public school awarded 173 degrees to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.
Chico State also made our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $11,754 for California Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Chico State.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Chico State Social Work Report
California State University - Monterey Bay ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Monterey Bay is a medium-sized school located in Seaside, California that handed out 42 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUMB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Monterey Bay is $9,192 for California Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 CSUMB
With a ranking of #19, San Francisco State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Francisco State University is a large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 63 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFSU, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $10,705 for california social work students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend San Francisco State University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 San Francisco State University
Fresno Pacific University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 210 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
Fresno Pacific also took the #15 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $17,544 for California Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Fresno Pacific.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Social Work at Fresno Pacific
Humboldt State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Humboldt State University is a medium-sized school located in Arcata, California that handed out 113 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
Humboldt State University also made our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list, coming in at #21. The yearly cost to attend Humboldt State University is $11,473 for california social work students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Social Work at Humboldt State University
California State University - San Marcos came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. CSUSM is a fairly large school located in San Marcos, California that handed out 58 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california social work students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSUSM has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,397 for california social work students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CSUSM.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Social Work at California State University - San Marcos
Azusa Pacific University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. This medium-sized school is located in Azusa, California, and it awarded 118 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
Azusa Pacific did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Azusa Pacific is $26,548 for california social work students whose families make $0-$30k.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Social Work at Azusa Pacific University
California Baptist University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Riverside, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social work degrees to 108 students in 2020-2021.
Cal Baptist did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list. It costs about $21,769 for california social work students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cal Baptist.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Cal Baptist Social Work Report
Mount Saint Mary’s University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. Mount Saint Mary’s University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 18 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
MSMU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list. It costs about $29,531 for california social work students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Mount Saint Mary’s University.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Mount Saint Mary’s University Social Work Report
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