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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Work (Income $0-$30k) in California

24 Ranked Colleges
3,294 Degrees Awarded
$20,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master's in California For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 57,618 people earned their degree in social work, making the major the 12th most popular in the United States. 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 California, there were 4,949 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $45,770 and $31,817 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 3,294 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” 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.

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.

More Ways to Rank Social Work Schools

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 for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california master’s degree social work students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 24 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Work (Income $0-$30k) in California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal State LA is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 174 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State LA, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723.

Full California State University - Los Angeles Social Work Report

#2 in overall quality

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #2 spot on the list. UC Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 91 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Berkeley Social Work Report

#3

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #3 spot on the list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 79 students in 2019-2020.

UCLA also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #3. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131.

Read more about Social Work at University of California - Los Angeles

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fresno. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Fresno, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 49 students in 2019-2020.

Fresno State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fresno are $17,581, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California State University - Fresno Social Work Report

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the #5 spot on the list. Carson, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 99 students in 2019-2020.

CSUDH also took the #20 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUDH are $17,884, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at California State University - Dominguez Hills

California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. California State University - Stanislaus is a fairly large public school situated in Turlock, California. It awarded 89 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Stan State, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Stanislaus are $18,540.

Read full report on Social Work at California State University - Stanislaus

California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school handed out 230 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSULB, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784.

Read more about Social Work at California State University - Long Beach

California State University - Fullerton landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school handed out 93 degrees to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree social work students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892.

Read full report on Social Work at Cal State Fullerton

California State University - Northridge did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school handed out 184 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

CSUN did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Northridge are $17,955, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at CSUN

#10

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

San Diego State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SDSU is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 126 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658.

Read full report on Social Work at San Diego State University

#11

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California

California State University - San Bernardino came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - San Bernardino is a fairly large school located in San Bernardino, California that handed out 103 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUSB, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSB are $17,936, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at CSUSB

California State University - Bakersfield landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Bakersfield, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 70 students in 2019-2020.

CSUB also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #23. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUB are $18,437, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at CSUB

California State University - Sacramento ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Sacramento is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 78 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Sac State also took the #10 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Sac State are $18,356.

Read full report on Social Work at California State University - Sacramento

California State University - Monterey Bay did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. California State University - Monterey Bay is a medium-sized school located in Seaside, California that handed out 42 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUMB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUMB are $18,081, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at California State University - Monterey Bay

#15

San Jose State University

San Jose, California

San Jose State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Jose State is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 156 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

San Jose State also took the #6 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State University are $18,790.

Full San Jose State University Social Work Report

#16

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. University of Southern California is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 1,200 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

USC also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #1. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at USC are $48,715.

Read full report on Social Work at University of Southern California

California State University - East Bay ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal State East Bay is located in Hayward, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 75 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

Cal State East Bay also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - East Bay are $17,828.

Read full report on Social Work at California State University - East Bay

#18

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Francisco, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFSU, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at SFSU

California State University - San Marcos ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - San Marcos is a fairly large public school situated in San Marcos, California. It awarded 61 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree social work students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSUSM has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - San Marcos are $18,661.

Full CSUSM Social Work Report

With a ranking of #20, California State University - Chico did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chico State is a public institution located in Chico, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 41 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Chico State, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Chico State are $18,802, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Chico State Social Work Report

#21

Humboldt State University

Arcata, California

Humboldt State University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Arcata, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 48 degrees to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

Humboldt State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Humboldt State University are $18,802.

Read more about Social Work at Humboldt State University

#22

California Baptist University

Riverside, California
#18 in overall quality

California Baptist University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Riverside, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 88 degrees to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree social work students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal Baptist has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California Baptist University are $14,140.

Read full report on Social Work at California Baptist University

#23

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, California

With a ranking of #23, Azusa Pacific University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Azusa Pacific is a medium-sized school located in Azusa, California that handed out 78 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Azusa Pacific did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Azusa Pacific University are $16,571, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at Azusa Pacific University

#24

Brandman University

Irvine, California
#13 in overall quality

Brandman University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Brandman University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 28 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree social work students whose families make $0-$30k list, Brandman has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Brandman University are $12,540, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at Brandman University

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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