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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Work (Income $48-$75k) 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 $48-$75k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 California For Those Making $48-$75k” 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 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 $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 23 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.

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. 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 for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k”.

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 California For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california master’s degree social work students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 23 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Work (Income $48-$75k) in California

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #1 spot on the list. California State University - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 174 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

Cal State LA also took the #7 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Cal State LA Social Work Report

#2

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 79 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 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 UCLA are $28,131.

Read more about Social Work at University of California - Los Angeles

#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 91 students 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347.

Read more about Social Work at University of California - Berkeley

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Dominguez Hills. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k. CSUDH is a fairly large public school situated in Carson, California. It awarded 99 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUDH, the school also landed the #20 spot 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at CSUDH

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fresno landed the #5 spot on the 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 made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fresno are $17,581, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at Fresno State

California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #6. California State University - Stanislaus is a fairly large school located in Turlock, California that handed out 89 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Stan State also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #21. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Stanislaus are $18,540.

Read full report on Social Work at Stan State

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 $48-$75k 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 full report on Social Work at CSULB

With a ranking of #8, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Cal State Fullerton is a large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 93 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at Cal State Fullerton

California State University - Northridge did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #9. This large school is located in Northridge, California, and it awarded 184 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUN did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 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 CSUN are $17,955.

Read more about 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 $48-$75k list. Located in San Bernardino, California, this fairly large public school awarded 103 degrees to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUSB, the school also landed the #9 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 - San Bernardino are $17,936.

Read more about Social Work at California State University - San Bernardino

With a ranking of #11, California State University - Bakersfield did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. CSUB is a fairly large public school situated in Bakersfield, California. It awarded 70 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUB also took the #23 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 - Bakersfield are $18,437.

Read more about Social Work at California State University - Bakersfield

California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. Sac State is located in Sacramento, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 78 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

Sac State also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Sacramento are $18,356, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#13

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 1,200 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

USC also took the #1 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at USC are $48,715, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at University of Southern California

#14

San Jose State University

San Jose, California

With a ranking of #14, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in San Jose, California, and it awarded 156 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at San Jose State, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State University are $18,790, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at San Jose State University

#15

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

With a ranking of #15, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. San Diego State University is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 126 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at San Diego State University

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 $48-$75k list. Seaside, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 42 students in 2019-2020.

CSUMB also took the #19 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 - Monterey Bay are $18,081.

Read full report on Social Work at California State University - Monterey Bay

With a ranking of #17, California State University - East Bay did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Hayward, California 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.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree social work students whose families make $48-$75k list, Cal State East Bay has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. 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 did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. Located in San Francisco, California, this large public school handed out 12 degrees to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

SFSU also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Francisco State University are $17,944, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at San Francisco State University

California State University - San Marcos ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. California State University - San Marcos is a fairly large school located in San Marcos, California that handed out 61 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUSM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - San Marcos are $18,661, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State University - San Marcos 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 $48-$75k list. Chico, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 41 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree social work students whose families make $48-$75k list, Chico State has also earned the #15 rank 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 - Chico are $18,802.

Full Chico State Social Work Report

#21

Humboldt State University

Arcata, California

With a ranking of #21, Humboldt State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Humboldt State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Arcata, California. It awarded 48 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Humboldt State University also took the #22 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Humboldt State University are $18,802, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Humboldt State University Social Work Report

#22

California Baptist University

Riverside, California
#18 in overall quality

California Baptist University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. California Baptist University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 88 masters’s social work 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal Baptist are $14,140, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Cal Baptist Social Work Report

#23

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, California

Azusa Pacific University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Azusa, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 78 students in 2019-2020.

Azusa Pacific also took the #12 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Azusa Pacific University are $16,571, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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.

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