Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Work (Income $30-$48k) in California

23 Ranked Colleges
3,294 Degrees Awarded
$20,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master's in California For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Social Work is the 12th most popular major in the country with 57,618 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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 $30-$48k” 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Social Work Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college 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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 23 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Work (Income $30-$48k) in California

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #1 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 174 students in 2019-2020.

Cal State LA also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. 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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 91 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at University of California - Berkeley

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the #3 spot on the list. California State University - Dominguez Hills is located in Carson, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 99 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree social work students whose families make $30-$48k list, CSUDH has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Dominguez Hills 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

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 $30-$48k list. California State University - Fresno is a large school located in Fresno, California that handed out 49 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Fresno State also took the #11 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at Fresno State

#5

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 79 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at UCLA

California State University - Stanislaus landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. 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.

Stan State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 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 Stan State are $18,540.

Full California State University - Stanislaus Social Work Report

California State University - Long Beach came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Long Beach, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 230 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at CSULB

California State University - Fullerton came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school awarded 93 degrees to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

California State University - Northridge came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school handed out 184 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUN, the school also landed the #17 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 - Northridge are $17,955.

Read full report on Social Work at CSUN

#10

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California

California State University - San Bernardino ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. CSUSB is a fairly large public school situated in San Bernardino, California. It awarded 103 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUSB also took the #9 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - San Bernardino are $17,936, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at CSUSB

California State University - Bakersfield 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 $30-$48k 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.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree social work students whose families make $30-$48k list, CSUB has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Bakersfield are $18,437, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full CSUB Social Work Report

#12

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

San Diego State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 126 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 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 San Diego State University are $18,658.

Full San Diego State University Social Work Report

California State University - Sacramento came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Sacramento is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 78 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Sac State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 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 Sac State are $18,356.

Full California State University - Sacramento Social Work Report

#14

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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. University of Southern California is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 1,200 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

USC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern California are $48,715, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at University of Southern California

#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 $30-$48k ranking. San Jose State is located in San Jose, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 156 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

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

Read more about Social Work at San Jose State

With a ranking of #16, California State University - Monterey Bay did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Seaside, California, and it awarded 42 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUMB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Monterey Bay are $18,081, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full CSUMB Social Work Report

California State University - East Bay came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - East Bay is a fairly large school located in Hayward, California that handed out 75 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State East Bay did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - East Bay are $17,828, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State University - East Bay Social Work Report

#18

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k 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.

SFSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 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 SFSU are $17,944.

Full SFSU Social Work Report

California State University - San Marcos did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. 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.

CSUSM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 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 CSUSM are $18,661.

Full CSUSM Social Work Report

California State University - Chico ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Chico is a fairly large school located in Chico, California that handed out 41 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Chico State also took the #15 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 Chico State are $18,802.

Read more about Social Work at Chico State

#21

Humboldt State University

Arcata, California

Humboldt State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Humboldt State University is located in Arcata, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 48 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

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 full report on Social Work at Humboldt State University

#22

California Baptist University

Riverside, California
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, California Baptist University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cal Baptist is a private not-for-profit institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 88 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal Baptist, the school also landed the #18 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 Baptist University are $14,140.

Read full report on Social Work at California Baptist University

#23

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, California

Azusa Pacific University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Azusa Pacific University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Azusa, California. It awarded 78 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Azusa Pacific not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #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.

Full Azusa Pacific Social Work Report

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