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2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region

25 Ranked Colleges
2,479 Degrees Awarded
$20,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master's in the Plains States Region

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 the Plains States Region” 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 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” ranking analyzed 25 colleges that offered 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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 the Plains States Region”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 the Plains States Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region master’s degree social work students.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Work in the Plains States Region

#1

Walden University

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Walden University landed the #1 spot on the list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 671 students in 2019-2020.

Walden University also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at Walden University are $10,716, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at Walden University

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #2 spot on the list. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a public institution located in Mankato, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 30 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Minnesota State Mankato did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State Mankato are $8,788, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at Minnesota State Mankato

#3

Augsburg University

Minneapolis, Minnesota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Augsburg University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region. Augsburg University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 81 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Augsburg not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at Augsburg University

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The College of Saint Scholastica. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. St. Scholastica is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Duluth, Minnesota. It awarded 30 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree social work students 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.

Read more about Social Work at St. Scholastica

#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. This fairly large school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 47 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Cloud State University, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at St. Cloud State University are $12,904, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Saint Cloud State University Social Work Report

#6

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. University of North Dakota is a public institution located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 75 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UND also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #10. 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 UND Social Work Report

#7

University of St Thomas Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota

With a ranking of #7, University of St Thomas Minnesota did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. UST MN is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 117 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

UST MN also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at UST MN are $24,814, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at University of St Thomas Minnesota

#8

St Catherine University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#14 in overall quality

St Catherine University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. St. Kate’s is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

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. Kate’s are $17,400, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at St Catherine University

With a ranking of #9, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. Missouri State is a large school located in Springfield, Missouri that handed out 31 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree social work students list, Missouri State has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri State are $12,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Missouri State University - Springfield Social Work Report

#10

Park University

Parkville, Missouri

Park University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #10. Parkville, 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 33 students in 2019-2020.

Park University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 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 Park University are $6,224.

Full Park University Social Work Report

University of Nebraska at Omaha landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Omaha, Nebraska is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 97 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNOMAHA, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nebraska at Omaha are $16,374, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at UNOMAHA

#12

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. This large school is located in Lawrence, Kansas, and it awarded 207 masters’s social work 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 University of Kansas are $25,007, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at University of Kansas

#13

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri

With a ranking of #13, Saint Louis University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. Saint Louis University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 81 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SLU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Louis University are $22,074, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at Saint Louis University

#14

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #14. This medium-sized school is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and it awarded 31 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree social work students list, UNI has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Northern Iowa are $22,648, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UNI Social Work Report

#15

Newman University

Wichita, Kansas

Newman University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. Newman University is a small school located in Wichita, Kansas that handed out 49 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Newman University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Newman University are $8,484, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at Newman University

University of Missouri - Columbia came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Missouri - Columbia is a public institution located in Columbia, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 102 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Mizzou did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - Columbia are $27,193, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at Mizzou

#17

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. Iowa is a large school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 101 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Iowa are $27,613, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at University of Iowa

#18

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota

With a ranking of #18, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. UMN Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 124 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 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 University of Minnesota - Twin Cities are $28,845.

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

#19

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas

With a ranking of #19, Wichita State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. WSU is located in Wichita, Kansas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 49 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

WSU also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #20. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Wichita State University are $15,112.

Read more about Social Work at WSU

#20

Washburn University

Topeka, Kansas

Washburn University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #20. Washburn University is a medium-sized school located in Topeka, Kansas that handed out 60 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Washburn University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 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 Washburn University are $19,206.

Read more about Social Work at Washburn University

With a ranking of #21, University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region 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.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree social work students list, UMN Duluth has also earned the #13 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 UMN Duluth are $28,606.

Read more about Social Work at UMN Duluth

#22

Saint Ambrose University

Davenport, Iowa

Saint Ambrose University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Davenport, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 20 degrees 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 list, St. Ambrose University has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Ambrose University are $18,150, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at Saint Ambrose University

#23

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri

University of Missouri - St Louis 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 ranking. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 61 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

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

#24

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri

University of Missouri - Kansas City came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. UMKC is a fairly large school located in Kansas City, Missouri that handed out 51 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UMKC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at UMKC

#25

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri

Washington University in St Louis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #25. WUSTL is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 247 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

WUSTL not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Washington University in St Louis are $56,562, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at Washington University in St Louis

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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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