2023 Best Value Colleges for Social Work (Income $30-$48k) in California
25
Ranked Colleges
4,819
Degrees Awarded
$11,300
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 California For Those Making $30-$48k” 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 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 $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 25 colleges that offered 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.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the social work program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
More Ways to Rank Social Work Schools
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools 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 $30-$48k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Social Work (Income $30-$48k) in California
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 197 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Berkeley is $9,999 for california social work students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 UC Berkeley
Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #2 spot on the list. Cal State LA 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. It costs about $2,701 for California Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Los Angeles.
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 full report on Social Work at California State University - Los Angeles
Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fresno landed the #3 spot on the list. Fresno State is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 184 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california social work students whose families make $30-$48k list, Fresno State has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Fresno State is $4,655 for California Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Full California State University - Fresno Social Work Report
Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #4 spot on the list. UCLA is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 92 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.
UCLA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list. It costs about $9,891 for California Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UCLA.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Social Work at UCLA
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - San Bernardino. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. San Bernardino, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 155 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUSB, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CSUSB is $6,613 for California Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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
With a ranking of #6, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. CSULB is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 301 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.
CSULB also took the #6 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $7,573 for california social work students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CSULB.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Social Work at CSULB
With a ranking of #7, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Sac State is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 310 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Sac State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Sacramento is $9,055 for california social work students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%.
Full California State University - Sacramento Social Work Report
With a ranking of #8, California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. CSUDH is located in Carson, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 86 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUDH, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $3,329 for California Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CSUDH.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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 CSUDH
California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Turlock, California, this fairly large public school handed out 87 degrees to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.
Stan State also made our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list, coming in at #20. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Stanislaus is $4,903 for California Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 full report on Social Work at California State University - Stanislaus
San Diego State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Diego State University is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 201 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,274 for California Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend SDSU.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Social Work at San Diego State University
University of Southern California landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Southern California 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.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at USC, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for USC is $17,345 for california social work students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full USC Social Work Report
California State University - Bakersfield ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. 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.
In addition to being on our california social work students whose families make $30-$48k list, CSUB has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $6,046 for California Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CSUB.
Full California State University - Bakersfield Social Work Report
California State University - Fullerton ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school awarded 107 degrees to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State Fullerton, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $5,821 for california social work students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cal State Fullerton.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read more about Social Work at California State University - Fullerton
California State University - East Bay ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cal State East Bay is a fairly large school located in Hayward, California that handed out 77 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State East Bay, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal State East Bay is $11,025 for California Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 full report on Social Work at Cal State East Bay
California State University - Northridge ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Northridge is a large school located in Northridge, California that handed out 148 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUN, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CSUN is $7,103 for california social work students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full CSUN Social Work Report
San Jose State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Jose State is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 211 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at San Jose State, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State is $13,378 for California Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full San Jose State University Social Work Report
California State University - Chico ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Chico, California, this fairly large public school handed out 173 diplomas to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.
Chico State also took the #12 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Chico State is $13,040 for california social work students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%.
Full Chico State Social Work Report
With a ranking of #18, California State University - Monterey Bay did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Monterey Bay is a public institution located in Seaside, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 42 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUMB also made our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list, coming in at #19. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Monterey Bay is $10,711 for california social work students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Social Work at CSUMB
San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. SFSU is a large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 63 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
SFSU also made our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend San Francisco State University is $11,862 for california social work students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Social Work at SFSU
California State University - San Marcos came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - San Marcos is located in San Marcos, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 58 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.
CSUSM also made our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list, coming in at #25. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - San Marcos is $10,348 for california social work students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%.
Full California State University - San Marcos Social Work Report
Fresno Pacific University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Fresno Pacific is a small school located in Fresno, California that handed out 210 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california social work students whose families make $30-$48k list, Fresno Pacific has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Fresno Pacific University is $17,827 for california social work students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 full report on Social Work at Fresno Pacific
Humboldt State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Arcata, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 113 diplomas to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.
Humboldt State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list. It costs about $12,298 for california social work students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Humboldt State University.
Read full report on Social Work at Humboldt State University
Azusa Pacific University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. Azusa Pacific University is a medium-sized school located in Azusa, California that handed out 118 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
Azusa Pacific not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list. It costs about $27,031 for California Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Azusa Pacific University.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. 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%.
Full Azusa Pacific University Social Work Report
With a ranking of #24, California Baptist University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cal Baptist is a fairly large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 108 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california social work students whose families make $30-$48k list, Cal Baptist has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal Baptist is $22,162 for California Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national 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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. Mount Saint Mary’s University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 18 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california social work students whose families make $30-$48k list, MSMU has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Mount Saint Mary’s University is $28,838 for California Social Work students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. 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 MSMU
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