Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

23 Ranked Colleges
3,088 Degrees Awarded
$18,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master's in the Southwest Region 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 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 Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 the Southwest region, there were 6,090 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,551 and $25,822 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 3,088 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,078 and $37,227 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 23 colleges that offer a degree in social work. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent social work programs, but they also cost less that 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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 Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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 for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region 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 the Southwest Region

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley landed the #1 spot on the list. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is a public institution located in Edinburg, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 86 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Rio Grande Valley, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley are $15,151, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UT Rio Grande Valley Social Work Report

#18 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas Woman’s University landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Denton, Texas, this fairly large public school awarded 16 degrees to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

TWU also took the #18 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at TWU are $14,962, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full TWU Social Work Report

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas at San Antonio landed the #3 spot on the list. UTSA is a large school located in San Antonio, Texas that handed out 76 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UTSA also took the #24 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UTSA are $25,807, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UTSA Social Work Report

#15 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Texas landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Denton, Texas, and it awarded 21 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UNT also took the #15 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNT are $15,618.

Read full report on Social Work at University of North Texas

#5

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Houston landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Houston, Texas, this large public school awarded 229 degrees to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UH, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UH are $18,689, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Houston Social Work Report

With a ranking of #6, The University of Texas at Austin did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Austin, Texas, and it awarded 152 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Austin, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Austin are $22,886, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin

#7

Northeastern State University

Tahlequah, Oklahoma
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Northeastern State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northeastern State University is a medium-sized school located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma that handed out 30 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree social work students whose families make $0-$30k list, NSU has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at NSU are $10,600, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at Northeastern State University

#8

Western New Mexico University

Silver City, New Mexico
#6 in overall quality

Western New Mexico University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Western New Mexico University is located in Silver City, New Mexico and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 139 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

Western New Mexico University also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western New Mexico University are $10,348, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at Western New Mexico University

The University of Texas at El Paso came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. The University of Texas at El Paso is a large public school situated in El Paso, Texas. It awarded 49 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree social work students whose families make $0-$30k list, UTEP has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at El Paso are $16,180, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at The University of Texas at El Paso

#10

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona

Arizona State University - Skysong did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Arizona State University - Skysong is a large public school situated in Scottsdale, Arizona. It awarded 328 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

ASU - Skysong also took the #8 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at ASU - Skysong are $6,724.

Read full report on Social Work at Arizona State University - Skysong

#10

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas
#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, Texas Tech University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Texas Tech University is a large school located in Lubbock, Texas that handed out 15 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree social work students whose families make $0-$30k list, Texas Tech has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Tech are $17,530, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at Texas Tech University

#11

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

Texas State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. This large school is located in San Marcos, Texas, and it awarded 149 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas State are $17,040, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Texas State Social Work Report

The University of Texas at Arlington ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Arlington, Texas, and it awarded 648 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree social work students whose families make $0-$30k list, UT Arlington has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Arlington are $23,376, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at UT Arlington

New Mexico State University - Main Campus ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. NMSU Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Las Cruces, New Mexico. It awarded 53 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

NMSU Main Campus not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at New Mexico State University - Main Campus are $18,275.

Read full report on Social Work at NMSU Main Campus

Stephen F Austin State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. SFASU is a fairly large public school situated in Nacogdoches, Texas. It awarded 53 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

SFASU also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #20. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stephen F Austin State University are $15,695, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Stephen F Austin State University Social Work Report

Texas A&M University - Commerce landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Commerce, Texas, this fairly large public school awarded 75 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M Commerce also took the #16 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - Commerce are $14,549.

Full Texas A&M University - Commerce Social Work Report

#16

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
#13 in overall quality

Northern Arizona University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northern Arizona University is a public institution located in Flagstaff, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 42 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

NAU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at NAU are $19,489, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at NAU

#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, Texas A&M University - Kingsville did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Kingsville, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree social work students whose families make $0-$30k list, Texas A&M Kingsville has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M Kingsville are $14,066, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Texas A&M Kingsville Social Work Report

#18

West Texas A&M University

Canyon, Texas
#22 in overall quality

West Texas A&M University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. West Texas A&M University is a public institution located in Canyon, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 12 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

West Texas A&M University also took the #22 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at West Texas A&M University are $8,013.

Read full report on Social Work at West Texas A&M University

With a ranking of #19, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Norman, Oklahoma, and it awarded 175 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Oklahoma also took the #4 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus are $23,236, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at University of Oklahoma

#20

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, Texas
#11 in overall quality

Tarleton State University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Tarleton is a fairly large school located in Stephenville, Texas that handed out 40 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Tarleton, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Tarleton are $15,485, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Tarleton Social Work Report

#21

Our Lady of the Lake University

San Antonio, Texas

Our Lady of the Lake University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in San Antonio, Texas, and it awarded 358 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

OLLU also took the #10 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Our Lady of the Lake University are $17,490, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at Our Lady of the Lake University

#22

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, Texas

Texas Christian University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Texas Christian University is located in Fort Worth, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

TCU also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at TCU are $32,268, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at TCU

#23

Baylor University

Waco, Texas

Baylor University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. Waco, Texas 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 87 students in 2019-2020.

Baylor also took the #5 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Baylor University are $36,936, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Baylor Social Work Report

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

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.

Credits

Featured Social Work Schools

Find Schools Near You