2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Getting Aid
25
Ranked Colleges
4,819
Degrees Awarded
$14,400
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.
Social Work is the 13th most popular major in the country with 58,326 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. 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.
For this year’s “Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 25 colleges that offer a degree 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Getting Aid
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Getting Aid.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Social Work in California (With Aid)
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 308 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State LA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State LA is $3,302 for california social work students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Social Work at California State University - Los Angeles
Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fresno landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Fresno, California, this large public school awarded 184 diplomas to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.
Fresno State also made our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend Fresno State is $6,230 for California Social Work students with aid.
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%.
Read full report on Social Work at California State University - Fresno
Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - San Bernardino landed the #3 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in San Bernardino, California, and it awarded 155 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california social work students with aid list, CSUSB has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CSUSB is $8,107 for california social work students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. 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%.
Read full report on Social Work at CSUSB
Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Berkeley, California, this large public school handed out 197 degrees to qualified ’s social work students in 2020-2021.
UC Berkeley also took the #1 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Berkeley is $16,032 for california social work students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.
Full University of California - Berkeley Social Work Report
Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Long Beach landed the #5 spot on the list. Long Beach, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 301 students in 2020-2021.
CSULB also took the #6 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $10,054 for California Social Work students with aid per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.
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 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Social Work at CSULB
California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 310 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
Sac State also took the #7 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Sacramento is $11,178 for California Social Work students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Social Work at Sac State
University of California - Los Angeles landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of California - Los Angeles 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.
In addition to being on our california social work students with aid list, UCLA has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Los Angeles is $15,023 for california social work students with aid.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Social Work at University of California - Los Angeles
California State University - Dominguez Hills came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - Dominguez Hills is a fairly large public school situated in Carson, California. It awarded 86 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUDH not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list. It costs about $4,026 for california social work students with aid 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 California State University - Dominguez Hills
San Diego State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 201 students in 2020-2021.
SDSU also made our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend SDSU is $13,845 for california social work students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Social Work at SDSU
California State University - East Bay came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Cal State East Bay is located in Hayward, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 77 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.
Cal State East Bay also made our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend Cal State East Bay is $13,298 for california social work students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Social Work at Cal State East Bay
California State University - Fullerton ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Fullerton, California, and it awarded 107 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State Fullerton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list. It costs about $8,003 for California Social Work students with aid per year to attend Cal State Fullerton.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 89%.
Read more about Social Work at Cal State Fullerton
California State University - Stanislaus ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Turlock, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 87 students in 2020-2021.
Stan State also made our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Stanislaus is $6,566 for california social work students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. 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%.
Read full report on Social Work at California State University - Stanislaus
California State University - Bakersfield ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Bakersfield, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 81 students in 2020-2021.
CSUB also took the #23 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CSUB is $7,454 for California Social Work students with aid.
Full CSUB Social Work Report
California State University - Northridge landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - Northridge is a public institution located in Northridge, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 148 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUN also took the #18 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,523 for California Social Work students with aid per year to attend California State University - Northridge.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full CSUN Social Work Report
San Jose State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. San Jose State University is located in San Jose, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 211 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.
San Jose State also made our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State is $16,542 for California Social Work students with aid.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 San Jose State University Social Work Report
California State University - Chico ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Chico, California, and it awarded 173 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
Chico State also made our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Chico is $16,218 for california social work students with aid.
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%.
Read full report on Social Work at California State University - Chico
With a ranking of #17, California State University - Monterey Bay did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Seaside, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 42 students in 2020-2021.
CSUMB also made our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list, coming in at #19. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Monterey Bay is $13,597 for California Social Work students with aid.
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 ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. SFSU is located in San Francisco, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 63 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.
SFSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend SFSU is $14,459 for california social work students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Social Work at SFSU
Humboldt State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Humboldt State University is a medium-sized school located in Arcata, California that handed out 113 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
Humboldt State University also made our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list, coming in at #21. The yearly cost to attend Humboldt State University is $14,956 for california social work students with aid.
Read more about Social Work at Humboldt State University
California State University - San Marcos did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. California State University - San Marcos is a fairly large public school situated in San Marcos, California. It awarded 58 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUSM also made our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list, coming in at #25. The estimated yearly cost for CSUSM is $13,218 for California Social Work students with aid.
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 full report on Social Work at CSUSM
Fresno Pacific University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Fresno Pacific University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 210 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
Fresno Pacific did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Fresno Pacific University is $19,029 for california social work students with aid.
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 University
With a ranking of #22, California Baptist University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California Baptist University is located in Riverside, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 108 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.
Cal Baptist did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Cal Baptist is $26,719 for California Social Work students with aid.
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%.
Read full report on Social Work at Cal Baptist
University of Southern California landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,081 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
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 yearly cost to attend University of Southern California is $32,569 for california social work students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read full report on Social Work at University of Southern California
With a ranking of #24, Azusa Pacific University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Azusa, California, and it awarded 118 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
Azusa Pacific also took the #13 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Azusa Pacific University is $30,744 for California Social Work students with aid.
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 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%.
Read full report on Social Work at Azusa Pacific University
Mount Saint Mary’s University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Mount Saint Mary’s University is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 18 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.
MSMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Social Work Schools in California” list. It costs about $30,938 for California Social Work students with aid per year to attend MSMU.
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 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 MSMU Social Work Report
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