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

24 Ranked Colleges
2,479 Degrees Awarded
$21,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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 for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 the Plains States region, there were 4,575 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,827 and $29,452 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 2,479 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,438 and $39,783 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 24 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in social work. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great social work programs and 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 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 for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region master’s degree social work students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 24 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Work (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

#1

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Washington University in St Louis landed the #1 spot on the list. Washington University in St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 247 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

WUSTL also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #1. Average graduate tuition and fees at Washington University in St Louis are $56,562, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full WUSTL Social Work Report

#2

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 124 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMN Twin Cities are $28,845, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Minnesota - Duluth is a fairly large public school situated in Duluth, Minnesota. It awarded 43 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Duluth, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMN Duluth are $28,606, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at University of Minnesota - Duluth

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - Columbia. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Columbia, Missouri, and it awarded 102 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Mizzou also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at Mizzou are $27,193, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Missouri - Columbia Social Work Report

#5

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Saint Cloud State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, this fairly large public school handed out 47 degrees to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

St. Cloud State University also took the #17 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Cloud State University are $12,904, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Saint Cloud State University Social Work Report

#6

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Grand Forks, North Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 75 students in 2019-2020.

UND did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Dakota are $18,326, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of North Dakota Social Work Report

#7

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri

With a ranking of #7, University of Missouri - St Louis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UMSL is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 61 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

UMSL also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #19. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMSL are $30,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UMSL Social Work Report

Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Mankato, Minnesota, this fairly large public school handed out 30 degrees to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

Minnesota State Mankato also took the #15 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State Mankato are $8,788, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at Minnesota State University - Mankato

University of Nebraska at Omaha ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UNOMAHA is a public institution located in Omaha, Nebraska. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 97 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UNOMAHA also took the #16 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNOMAHA are $16,374.

Full University of Nebraska at Omaha Social Work Report

#10

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UNI is a public institution located in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 31 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UNI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNI are $22,648.

Read full report on Social Work at UNI

#11

St Catherine University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#14 in overall quality

St Catherine University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. St. Kate’s is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 17 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Kate’s not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at St Catherine University are $17,400, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full St Catherine University Social Work Report

#12

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Iowa City, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 101 students in 2019-2020.

Iowa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Iowa are $27,613, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at Iowa

#13

Washburn University

Topeka, Kansas

With a ranking of #13, Washburn University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Topeka, Kansas, this medium-sized public school handed out 60 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

Washburn University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Washburn University are $19,206, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Washburn University Social Work Report

#14

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. KU is a public institution located in Lawrence, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 207 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

KU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at KU are $25,007, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at University of Kansas

Missouri State University - Springfield came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 31 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Missouri State, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri State University - Springfield are $12,042, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Missouri State Social Work Report

#16

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri

With a ranking of #16, University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Missouri - Kansas City is a public institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 51 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UMKC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - Kansas City are $26,699, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at UMKC

#17

Newman University

Wichita, Kansas

Newman University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Newman University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Wichita, Kansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 49 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Newman University also took the #25 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Newman University are $8,484, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at Newman University

#18

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas

Wichita State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. WSU is a public institution located in Wichita, Kansas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 49 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WSU, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at WSU are $15,112, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at WSU

With a ranking of #19, The College of Saint Scholastica did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Duluth, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 30 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree social work students whose families make $30-$48k list, St. Scholastica has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at St. Scholastica are $15,502.

Full St. Scholastica Social Work Report

#20

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Saint Louis, Missouri 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 81 students in 2019-2020.

SLU also took the #7 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SLU are $22,074, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at SLU

#21

Augsburg University

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Augsburg University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 81 degrees to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

Augsburg did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Augsburg are $13,165, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at Augsburg

#22

Park University

Parkville, Missouri

Park University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Park University is located in Parkville, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 33 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree social work students whose families make $30-$48k list, Park University has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Park University are $6,224.

Read full report on Social Work at Park University

#23

University of St Thomas Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota

University of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 117 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UST MN also took the #2 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UST MN are $24,814, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of St Thomas Minnesota Social Work Report

#24

Saint Ambrose University

Davenport, Iowa

With a ranking of #24, Saint Ambrose University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Davenport, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 20 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

St. Ambrose University also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #22. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Ambrose University are $18,150, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full St. Ambrose University Social Work Report

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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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