2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Work (Income $0-$30k) in California
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 “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2019-2020, 56,762 social work students received their degree, making the major the 8th most popular in the country.
Across California, there were 4,945 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 3,290 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 24 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.
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. 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 “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for california master’s degree social work students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 24 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Work (Income $0-$30k) in California
Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #1 spot on the list. California State University - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 174 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.
Cal State LA also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read more about Social Work at California State University - Los Angeles
Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #2 spot on the list. University of California - Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 91 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our california master’s degree social work students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #2 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 University of California - Berkeley are $29,347.
Read full report on Social Work at University of California - Berkeley
Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #3 spot on the 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 also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Social Work at University of California - Los Angeles
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fresno. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k. Fresno, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 49 students in 2019-2020.
Fresno State also took the #11 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Dominguez Hills. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Carson, California, this fairly large public school awarded 99 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.
CSUDH also took the #20 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 CSUDH are $17,884.
Read full report on Social Work at California State University - Dominguez Hills
California State University - Stanislaus came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - Stanislaus is a fairly large public school situated in Turlock, California. 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 California State University - Stanislaus are $18,540, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Social Work at California State University - Stanislaus
California State University - Long Beach ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSULB is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 230 masters’s 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 some majors have different tuition rates.
California State University - Fullerton landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cal State 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.
Cal State Fullerton also took the #16 spot 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Full California State University - Fullerton Social Work Report
California State University - Northridge landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 184 students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our california master’s degree social work students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSUN has also earned the #17 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 California State University - Northridge are $17,955.
Read more about Social Work at California State University - Northridge
San Diego State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 126 students in 2019-2020.
SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SDSU are $18,658, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
California State University - San Bernardino did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. CSUSB is located in San Bernardino, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 99 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.
CSUSB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 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 California State University - San Bernardino are $17,936.
California State University - Bakersfield landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Bakersfield, California, and it awarded 70 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.
CSUB also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #23. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUB are $18,437, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
California State University - Sacramento landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - Sacramento is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 78 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Sac State also took the #10 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Sac State are $18,356, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
California State University - Monterey Bay ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Seaside, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 42 degrees to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.
CSUMB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #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.
Full California State University - Monterey Bay Social Work Report
With a ranking of #15, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Jose State University is a large school located in San Jose, California that handed out 156 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.
San Jose State also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #6. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State are $18,790.
University of Southern California landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 1,200 degrees to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.
USC also took the #1 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at USC are $48,715, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Social Work at University of Southern California
With a ranking of #17, California State University - East Bay did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal State East Bay is located in Hayward, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 75 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State East Bay, the school also landed the #8 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 - East Bay are $17,828.
San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. San Francisco, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.
SFSU also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Francisco State University are $17,944, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
California State University - San Marcos did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. San Marcos, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 61 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 California State University - San Marcos are $18,661, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Full California State University - San Marcos Social Work Report
California State University - Chico ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Chico, California, this fairly large public school awarded 41 degrees to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our california master’s degree social work students whose families make $0-$30k list, Chico State has also earned the #15 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 Chico State are $18,802.
With a ranking of #21, Humboldt State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Arcata, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 48 degrees to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.
Humboldt State University also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #22. Average graduate tuition and fees at Humboldt State University are $18,802, but some majors have different tuition rates.
With a ranking of #22, California Baptist University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Riverside, California, and it awarded 88 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.
Cal Baptist did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal Baptist are $14,140, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Azusa Pacific University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Azusa Pacific University is located in Azusa, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 78 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Azusa Pacific, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Azusa Pacific are $16,571, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Brandman University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Brandman University is a fairly large school located in Irvine, California that handed out 28 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.
Brandman also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #13. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Brandman University are $12,540.
- Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Work (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region
- Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Work (Income $0-$30k)
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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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