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2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

46 Ranked Colleges
5,096 Degrees Awarded
$26,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 57,618 people earned their degree in social work, making the major the 12th most popular in the United States. 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 Great Lakes region, there were 10,171 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,708 and $29,897 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 5,096 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 46 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.

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

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 the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

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

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Work (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. UChicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 199 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UChicago, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at UChicago

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 379 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UW - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 167 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Social Work Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 151 students in 2019-2020.

UIUC also took the #7 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083.

Full UIUC Social Work Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Ohio State University - Main Campus. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 365 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Ohio State also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at Ohio State

#6

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#18 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. IU Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 29 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree social work students whose families make $48-$75k list, IU Bloomington has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at IU Bloomington

University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Illinois at Chicago is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 248 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Chicago are $27,036, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at UIC

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 425 students in 2019-2020.

IUPUI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis are $26,013, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

With a ranking of #9, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UW - Green Bay is located in Green Bay, Wisconsin and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 60 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree social work students whose families make $48-$75k list, UW - Green Bay has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Green Bay are $19,126, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Social Work Report

#10

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois

Aurora University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #10. Aurora University is a medium-sized school located in Aurora, Illinois that handed out 460 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Aurora also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at Aurora are $13,200, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Aurora University Social Work Report

Case Western Reserve University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Cleveland, Ohio 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 223 students in 2019-2020.

Case Western also took the #6 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Case Western Reserve University are $47,958.

Read full report on Social Work at Case Western Reserve University

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school handed out 16 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

UW Oshkosh also took the #25 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh are $18,744, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at UW Oshkosh

#13

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan

Grand Valley State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Allendale, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 143 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree social work students whose families make $48-$75k list, GVSU has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Grand Valley State University are $17,448, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at GVSU

#14

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #14. Wayne State is a large school located in Detroit, Michigan that handed out 322 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Wayne State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State are $37,215, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at Wayne State

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Edwardsville, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 29 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are $9,300.

Read more about Social Work at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

#16

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, Michigan

Ferris State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Big Rapids, Michigan, this fairly large public school handed out 29 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Ferris State University are $7,908, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at Ferris State University

#17

Indiana University - East

Richmond, Indiana

Indiana University - East ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Richmond, Indiana, and it awarded 20 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - East are $18,275, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at Indiana University - East

#18

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

With a ranking of #18, Governors State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. GSU is located in University Park, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 48 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Governors State University are $14,674, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at Governors State University

#19

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

Whitewater, Wisconsin
#21 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is located in Whitewater, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 27 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

UW - Whitewater not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Whitewater are $19,200, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

#20

Saginaw Valley State University

University Center, Michigan

Saginaw Valley State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Saginaw Valley State University is a medium-sized school located in University Center, Michigan that handed out 56 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Saginaw Valley State University are $28,780, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at Saginaw Valley State University

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 91 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at SIUC are $32,928, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#22

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #22. Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 129 students in 2019-2020.

UWM also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #12. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee are $25,295.

Read full report on Social Work at UWM

#23

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Eastern Michigan University is a fairly large public school situated in Ypsilanti, Michigan. It awarded 60 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Eastern Michigan are $26,552, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Eastern Michigan University Social Work Report

#24

Youngstown State University

Youngstown, Ohio

With a ranking of #24, Youngstown State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Youngstown State University is a fairly large school located in Youngstown, Ohio that handed out 71 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Youngstown State University are $9,495.

Read full report on Social Work at Youngstown State University

#25

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Joliet, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 26 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree social work students whose families make $48-$75k list, University of Saint Francis has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Saint Francis are $13,839, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at University of Saint Francis

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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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