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2023 Most Focused Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Work in the Plains States Region

30 Ranked Colleges
2,571 Degrees Awarded
$44,366 Avg Salary
Schools for a Master's Highly Focused on Social Work Major in the Plains States Region

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major in the Plains States Region” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 58,326 people earned their degree in social work, making the major the 13th most popular in the United States. 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 Plains States region, there were 4,791 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,939 and $30,670 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 2,571 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $55,401 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major in the Plains States Region” ranking, we looked at 30 colleges that offer a degree in social work. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in social work.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major in the Plains States Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major 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 Most Focused Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Work in the Plains States Region

1
Clarke crest
Clarke University
Dubuque, Iowa

Out of the 30 schools in the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Clarke University landed the #1 spot on the list. Dubuque, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 23 students in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Clarke University Social Work Report

2
Augsburg crest
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 #2 for the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major in the Plains States Region. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 79 students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Social Work at Augsburg

3
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Walden University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major in the Plains States Region list. Walden University is a large private for-profit school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 856 masters’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at Walden University

4
Newman University crest
Newman University
Wichita, Kansas

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Newman University. The school came in at #4 for the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major in the Plains States Region. Wichita, Kansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 33 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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%.

Full Newman University Social Work Report

5
St. Ambrose University crest
Saint Ambrose University
Davenport, Iowa

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Saint Ambrose University. The school came in at #5 for the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major in the Plains States Region. Davenport, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 47 students in 2020-2021.

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 St. Ambrose University

6
WUSTL crest
Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

Washington University in St Louis came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major in the Plains States Region ranking. WUSTL is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 262 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

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

7
UST MN crest
University of St Thomas Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota

University of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 115 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, 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 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Work at UST MN

8

With a ranking of #8, University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major in the Plains States Region list. This fairly large school is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it awarded 100 masters’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at UNOMAHA

9
Washburn University crest
Washburn University
Topeka, Kansas

Washburn University ranked #9 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major in the Plains States Region list. Located in Topeka, Kansas, this medium-sized public school handed out 39 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Social Work at Washburn University

10

With a ranking of #10, The College of Saint Scholastica did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major in the Plains States Region list. This small school is located in Duluth, Minnesota, and it awarded 37 masters’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full The College of Saint Scholastica Social Work Report

11
St. Kate's crest
St Catherine University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

St Catherine University ranked #11 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major in the Plains States Region list. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 34 degrees to qualified masters’s social work students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Work at St. Kate’s

12
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #12. KU is a large public school situated in Lawrence, Kansas. It awarded 164 masters’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. 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 more about Social Work at University of Kansas

13
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major in the Plains States Region ranking. UND is a fairly large public school situated in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It awarded 74 masters’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 UND

14
SLU crest
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major in the Plains States Region ranking. SLU is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 70 masters’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%.

Read full report on Social Work at SLU

15
UMSL crest
University of Missouri - St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

University of Missouri - St Louis did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #15. University of Missouri - St Louis is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 57 masters’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

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 University of Missouri - St Louis Social Work Report

16
WSU crest
Wichita State University
Wichita, Kansas

Wichita State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #16. Wichita State University is located in Wichita, Kansas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 69 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on Social Work at Wichita State University

17

University of Minnesota - Duluth came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major in the Plains States Region ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Duluth, Minnesota, and it awarded 36 masters’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 UMN Duluth

18
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major in the Plains States Region ranking. St. Cloud State University is a fairly large school located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota that handed out 36 masters’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

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 Saint Cloud State University

19
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #19. UNI is a medium-sized public school situated in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It awarded 35 masters’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Work at UNI

20

With a ranking of #20, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major in the Plains States Region list. Missouri State University - Springfield is located in Springfield, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 64 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Work at Missouri State University - Springfield

21

University of Missouri - Kansas City came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Missouri - Kansas City is a public institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 40 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at UMKC

22
Park University crest
Park University
Parkville, Missouri

Park University ranked #22 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major in the Plains States Region list. Located in Parkville, Missouri, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 28 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2020-2021.

Full Park University Social Work Report

23

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #23. SMU MN is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Winona, Minnesota. It awarded 19 masters’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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 SMU MN

24
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Iowa City, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 86 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Read full report on Social Work at Iowa

25

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 114 masters’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UMN Twin Cities Social Work Report

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