2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Work in California
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California” ranking.
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” ranking, we looked at 24 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.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the social work program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
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One Size Does Not Fit All
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” 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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California.
Top 24 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Work in California
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Long Beach. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 230 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.
CSULB also took 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.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - San Bernardino. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California list. CSUSB is a fairly large school located in San Bernardino, California that handed out 103 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our california master’s degree social work students list, CSUSB has also earned the #9 rank 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.
Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fresno landed the #3 spot on the list. California State University - Fresno is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 49 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.
Fresno State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fresno are $17,581, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Full California State University - Fresno Social Work Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California list. University of California - Los Angeles is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131.
Read more about Social Work at University of California - Los Angeles
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read more about Social Work at University of California - Berkeley
San Diego State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. SDSU is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 126 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.
SDSU also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at SDSU are $18,658, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Social Work at San Diego State University
California State University - East Bay did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California ranking, coming in at #7. Cal State East Bay is a public institution located in Hayward, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 75 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Cal State East Bay not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #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.
San Jose State University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 156 students in 2019-2020.
San Jose State also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State are $18,790, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
With a ranking of #9, California State University - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 174 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State LA, the school also landed the #7 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 Cal State LA are $17,723.
Read full report on Social Work at California State University - Los Angeles
California State University - Northridge landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. California State University - Northridge is located in Northridge, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 184 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.
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. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Northridge are $17,955, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Social Work at California State University - Northridge
California State University - Sacramento landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school awarded 78 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Sac State, the school also landed the #10 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 - Sacramento are $18,356.
California State University - Chico ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California list. California State University - Chico is located in Chico, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 41 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.
Chico State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Chico are $18,802, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Azusa Pacific University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Azusa Pacific is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Azusa, California. It awarded 78 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our california master’s degree social work students list, Azusa Pacific has also earned the #12 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 Azusa Pacific are $16,571.
California State University - Monterey Bay did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California ranking, coming in at #14. California State University - Monterey Bay is a public institution located in Seaside, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 42 masters’s 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSUMB are $18,081.
San Francisco State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Located in San Francisco, California, this large public school awarded 12 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work 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 San Francisco State University are $17,944.
California State University - Stanislaus landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. This fairly large school is located in Turlock, California, and it awarded 89 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.
Stan State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stan State are $18,540, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
With a ranking of #17, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California list. California State University - Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 93 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california master’s degree social work students list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892, but some majors have different tuition rates.
California State University - Dominguez Hills came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. California State University - Dominguez Hills is a fairly large school located in Carson, California that handed out 99 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.
CSUDH also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #20. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUDH are $17,884, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Social Work at California State University - Dominguez Hills
Brandman University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Brandman University is located in Irvine, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 28 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.
Brandman also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #13. Average graduate tuition and fees at Brandman are $12,540, but some majors have different tuition rates.
California Baptist University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California ranking, coming in at #20. 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.
Cal Baptist also took 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 Cal Baptist are $14,140.
California State University - Bakersfield came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. California State University - Bakersfield is a fairly large public school situated in Bakersfield, California. It awarded 70 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.
CSUB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. 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 California State University - Bakersfield Social Work Report
Humboldt State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California list. Humboldt State University is a medium-sized school located in Arcata, California that handed out 48 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.
Humboldt State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Humboldt State University are $18,802, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Social Work at Humboldt State University
California State University - San Marcos landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Located in San Marcos, California, this fairly large public school handed out 61 degrees to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.
CSUSM also took the #24 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSM are $18,661, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
University of Southern California ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California list. 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 also took the #1 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 University of Southern California are $48,715.
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Best Social Work Master's Degree Schools in California
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Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Social Work (Income $0-$30k) in California
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Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Social Work (Income $30-$48k) in California
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Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Social Work (Income $75-$110k) in California
Social Work students with family income $75-$110k in California
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Social Work in California
Social Work students in California
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
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Army Medicine.
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