2024 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region
38
Ranked Colleges
6,355
Degrees Awarded
$13,300
Avg Net Price*
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 the Southwest Region” 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 the Southwest region, there were 6,355 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,306 and $23,188 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking looked at 38 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.
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.
More Ways to Rank Social Work Schools
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 the Southwest Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. 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 in the Southwest Region
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Social Work in the Southwest Region
Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Grand Canyon University landed the #1 spot on the list. Phoenix, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s social work degrees to 298 students in 2020-2021.
Grand Canyon University also made our “Best Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for Grand Canyon University is $20,585 for Southwest Region Social Work students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Social Work at Grand Canyon University
Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, San Juan College landed the #2 spot on the list. SJC is a medium-sized school located in Farmington, New Mexico that handed out 36 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
SJC also made our “Best Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #25. The yearly cost to attend SJC is $5,705 for southwest region social work students.
Read full report on Social Work at San Juan College
Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Tyler Junior College landed the #3 spot on the list. Tyler Junior College is a fairly large public school situated in Tyler, Texas. It awarded 55 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $10,997 for Southwest Region Social Work students per year to attend Tyler Junior College.
Read more about Social Work at Tyler Junior College
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas at Brownsville. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region. This medium-sized school is located in Brownsville, Texas, and it awarded 47 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for The University of Texas at Brownsville is $3,896 for Southwest Region Social Work students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% 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%.
Read more about Social Work at The University of Texas at Brownsville
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region. Edinburg, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 281 students in 2020-2021.
UT Rio Grande Valley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UT Rio Grande Valley is $3,743 for southwest region social work students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Social Work at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Arizona State University - Skysong landed the #6 spot on the 2024 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. ASU - Skysong is a public institution located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 292 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
ASU - Skysong did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region” list.
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 more about Social Work at ASU - Skysong
University of Houston came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. University of Houston is a public institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 232 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UH also took the #9 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Houston is $13,721 for southwest region social work students.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 UH
Austin Community College District ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region list. Austin Community College District is a public institution located in Austin, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 40 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Austin Community College District did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $7,224 for southwest region social work students per year to attend Austin Community College District.
Full Austin Community College District Social Work Report
Northern Arizona University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #9. NAU is a public institution located in Flagstaff, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 217 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
NAU also made our “Best Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for Northern Arizona University is $14,308 for southwest region social work students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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 NAU
Northeastern State University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #10. NSU is a medium-sized public school situated in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. It awarded 74 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at NSU, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $10,094 for Southwest Region Social Work students per year to attend Northeastern State University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 Northeastern State University Social Work Report
Western New Mexico University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region list. Western New Mexico University is a small public school situated in Silver City, New Mexico. It awarded 234 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Western New Mexico University, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Western New Mexico University is $13,679 for southwest region social work students.
Read full report on Social Work at Western New Mexico University
West Texas A&M University landed the #12 spot on the 2024 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Canyon, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 62 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $15,033 for Southwest Region Social Work students per year to attend West Texas A&M University.
Read more about Social Work at West Texas A&M University
The University of Texas at Arlington came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. UT Arlington is a large school located in Arlington, Texas that handed out 985 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
UT Arlington did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $15,509 for southwest region social work students per year to attend The University of Texas at Arlington.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full The University of Texas at Arlington Social Work Report
Arizona State University - Tempe came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Tempe, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 450 students in 2020-2021.
ASU - Tempe did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for ASU - Tempe is $13,107 for Southwest Region Social Work students.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% 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%.
Full Arizona State University - Tempe Social Work Report
University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region list. Norman, Oklahoma is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 202 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southwest region social work students list, University of Oklahoma has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $21,122 for southwest region social work students per year to attend University of Oklahoma Norman Campus.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Social Work Report
Texas Woman’s University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. TWU is a fairly large public school situated in Denton, Texas. It awarded 77 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
TWU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $9,684 for southwest region social work students per year to attend TWU.
Full Texas Woman’s University Social Work Report
Tarleton State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Tarleton State University is a public institution located in Stephenville, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 120 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Tarleton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Tarleton is $20,307 for Southwest Region Social Work students.
Full Tarleton Social Work Report
With a ranking of #18, University of North Texas did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region list. University of North Texas is a public institution located in Denton, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 85 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UNT did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $14,122 for southwest region social work students per year to attend University of North Texas.
Read more about Social Work at University of North Texas
The University of Texas at Austin did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #19. UT Austin is located in Austin, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 237 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Austin, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UT Austin is $18,350 for Southwest Region Social Work students.
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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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 The University of Texas at Austin
Texas A&M University - Commerce ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region list. Texas A&M Commerce is located in Commerce, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 103 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.
Texas A&M Commerce also made our “Best Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $13,515 for Southwest Region Social Work students per year to attend Texas A&M Commerce.
Full Texas A&M Commerce Social Work Report
With a ranking of #21, Texas State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region list. Texas State is a public institution located in San Marcos, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 219 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southwest region social work students list, Texas State has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Texas State is $14,887 for Southwest Region Social Work students.
Read more about Social Work at Texas State
Our Lady of the Lake University landed the #22 spot on the 2024 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. San Antonio, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social work degrees to 353 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southwest region social work students list, OLLU has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $18,376 for Southwest Region Social Work students per year to attend Our Lady of the Lake University.
Read more about Social Work at Our Lady of the Lake University
Stephen F Austin State University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #23. SFASU is located in Nacogdoches, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 140 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.
SFASU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Stephen F Austin State University is $13,393 for Southwest Region Social Work students.
Full SFASU Social Work Report
Texas Tech University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #24. This large school is located in Lubbock, Texas, and it awarded 31 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
Texas Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Texas Tech University is $16,194 for southwest region social work students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Social Work at Texas Tech University
Lamar University landed the #25 spot on the 2024 Best Value Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Lamar University is a fairly large school located in Beaumont, Texas that handed out 47 ’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.
Lamar University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Social Work Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Lamar University is $11,739 for Southwest Region Social Work students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 Lamar University
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