2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k
50
Ranked Colleges
4,791
Degrees Awarded
$11,000
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
In 2020-2021, 58,326 people earned their degree in social work, making the major the 13th most popular in the United States. 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 the Plains States region, there were 4,791 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,939 and $30,670 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 50 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
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 the Plains States Region 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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region social work students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Social Work (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Washington University in St Louis. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social work degrees to 267 students in 2020-2021.
WUSTL also took the #1 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Washington University in St Louis is $1,556 for plains states region social work students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Social Work at WUSTL
Out of the 50 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 117 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Twin Cities, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Twin Cities is $7,698 for Plains States Region Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full UMN Twin Cities Social Work Report
Out of the 50 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Minnesota - Duluth is located in Duluth, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 80 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth is $7,843 for Plains States Region Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full UMN Duluth Social Work Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Northern Iowa. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This medium-sized school is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and it awarded 121 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
UNI also took the #10 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $10,513 for plains states region social work students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Northern Iowa.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Social Work at UNI
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Dakota. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, this fairly large public school handed out 157 degrees to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.
UND also made our “Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $12,394 for plains states region social work students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of North Dakota.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of North Dakota Social Work Report
University of Missouri - Columbia ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this large public school handed out 29 degrees to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.
Mizzou not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Columbia is $11,005 for Plains States Region 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 University of Missouri - Columbia
With a ranking of #7, University of Missouri - St Louis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 122 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for UMSL is $9,991 for plains states region social work students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full UMSL Social Work Report
Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Minnesota State Mankato is located in Mankato, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 94 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.
Minnesota State Mankato also made our “Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato is $11,692 for plains states region social work students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 Minnesota State Mankato
University of Iowa came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 174 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.
Iowa also took the #4 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $13,554 for plains states region social work students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Social Work at Iowa
Minot State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Minot, North Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 78 students in 2020-2021.
MSU also made our “Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #24. The estimated yearly cost for Minot State University is $8,920 for Plains States Region Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Social Work at MSU
Winona State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Winona, Minnesota, and it awarded 81 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region social work students whose families make $0-$30k list, Winona State has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,721 for Plains States Region Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Winona State University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Social Work at Winona State
Saint Cloud State University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Saint Cloud State University is a fairly large school located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota that handed out 94 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
St. Cloud State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Saint Cloud State University is $10,348 for Plains States Region Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Saint Cloud State University Social Work Report
With a ranking of #13, Minnesota State University - Moorhead did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Minnesota State University - Moorhead is a medium-sized public school situated in Moorhead, Minnesota. It awarded 57 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
MSU Moorhead also made our “Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $12,675 for Plains States Region Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend MSU Moorhead.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full MSU Moorhead Social Work Report
University of Nebraska at Omaha came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UNOMAHA is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 153 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our plains states region social work students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNOMAHA has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha is $10,578 for plains states region social work students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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%.
Full UNOMAHA Social Work Report
Kansas State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Manhattan, Kansas, and it awarded 50 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
K -State also took the #6 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Kansas State University is $13,436 for plains states region 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Read full report on Social Work at K -State
University of Kansas ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lawrence, Kansas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 224 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region social work students whose families make $0-$30k list, KU has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,666 for plains states region social work students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend KU.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Social Work at KU
With a ranking of #17, Wichita State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Wichita, Kansas, this fairly large public school awarded 134 diplomas to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend WSU is $11,687 for plains states region social work students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full WSU Social Work Report
St Olaf College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. St. Olaf is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Northfield, Minnesota. It awarded 11 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend St. Olaf is $11,112 for plains states region social work students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Social Work at St. Olaf
Southwest Minnesota State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Southwest Minnesota State University is located in Marshall, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend Southwest Minnesota State University is $10,578 for plains states region social work students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Social Work at Southwest Minnesota State University
University of Nebraska at Kearney came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Kearney, Nebraska is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 44 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $14,087 for Plains States Region Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Nebraska at Kearney.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 University of Nebraska at Kearney
St Catherine University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 66 diplomas to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.
St. Kate’s did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend St Catherine University is $14,391 for Plains States Region Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 St. Kate’s
Missouri State University - Springfield ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Missouri State is a public institution located in Springfield, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 106 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State is $12,381 for Plains States Region 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 Missouri State University - Springfield
With a ranking of #23, Fort Hays State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Hays, Kansas, and it awarded 54 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Fort Hays State University is $9,774 for plains states region social work students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Social Work at FHSU
Pittsburg State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Pittsburg, Kansas, this medium-sized public school handed out 25 diplomas to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Pitt State is $11,469 for Plains States Region Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Social Work at Pitt State
With a ranking of #25, Bemidji State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Bemidji, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 33 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Bemidji State University is $10,178 for Plains States Region Social Work students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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 Bemidji State University
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