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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Work (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

46 Ranked Colleges
5,096 Degrees Awarded
$27,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 56,762 social work students received their degree, making the major the 8th most popular in the country.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 9,933 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 5,096 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 46 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.

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.

More Ways to Rank Social Work Schools

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 the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region master’s degree social work students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Work (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 199 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree social work students whose families make $0-$30k list, UChicago has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548.

Full UChicago Social Work Report

#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 379 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at U-M

#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UW - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 167 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison also took the #3 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at UW - Madison

#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 151 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree social work students whose families make $0-$30k list, UIUC has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UIUC Social Work Report

#5 in overall quality

Out of the 46 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #5 spot on the list. Ohio State is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 365 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Ohio State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at Ohio State

#6

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#18 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. IU Bloomington is located in Bloomington, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 29 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338.

Read full report on Social Work at Indiana University - Bloomington

#7

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#11 in overall quality

Michigan State University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, this large public school handed out 27 degrees to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

Michigan State also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State are $37,056, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Michigan State Social Work Report

#9 in overall quality

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is a large public school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 425 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IUPUI, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis are $26,013, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full IUPUI Social Work Report

#22 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Green Bay did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school awarded 60 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree social work students whose families make $0-$30k list, UW - Green Bay has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Green Bay are $19,126, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UW - Green Bay Social Work Report

#10

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, Michigan

Ferris State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Ferris State University is located in Big Rapids, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 29 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Ferris State University are $7,908, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at Ferris State University

#10 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school awarded 248 degrees to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

UIC also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at University of Illinois at Chicago

#12

Indiana University - East

Richmond, Indiana

With a ranking of #12, Indiana University - East did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. IU East is located in Richmond, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at IU East are $18,275, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at IU East

#13

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

Whitewater, Wisconsin
#21 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Whitewater, Wisconsin, and it awarded 27 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Whitewater also took the #21 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Whitewater are $19,200, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

#25 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school handed out 16 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

UW Oshkosh also took the #25 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UW Oshkosh are $18,744.

Read more about Social Work at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

#15

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan
#14 in overall quality

Grand Valley State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. GVSU is located in Allendale, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 143 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

GVSU also took the #14 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Grand Valley State University are $17,448, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at GVSU

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a fairly large public school situated in Edwardsville, Illinois. It awarded 29 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are $9,300, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at SIUE

#17

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

With a ranking of #17, Governors State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in University Park, Illinois, and it awarded 48 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at GSU are $14,674.

Read more about Social Work at GSU

#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, Case Western Reserve University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Case Western is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Cleveland, Ohio. It awarded 223 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Case Western not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Case Western Reserve University are $47,958, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at Case Western

#19

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

Aurora University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Aurora University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Aurora, Illinois. It awarded 460 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Aurora did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Aurora are $13,200.

Full Aurora University Social Work Report

#20

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is a public institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 129 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UWM also took the #12 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee are $25,295, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

#21

Saginaw Valley State University

University Center, Michigan

Saginaw Valley State University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Saginaw Valley State University is a medium-sized school located in University Center, Michigan that handed out 56 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Saginaw Valley State University are $28,780, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at Saginaw Valley State University

#22

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#13 in overall quality

Wayne State University landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wayne State University is a large school located in Detroit, Michigan that handed out 322 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree social work students whose families make $0-$30k list, Wayne State has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State University are $37,215.

Full Wayne State University Social Work Report

#23

Youngstown State University

Youngstown, Ohio

Youngstown State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. Youngstown State University is a public institution located in Youngstown, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 71 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Youngstown State University are $9,495, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at Youngstown State University

Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a fairly large public school situated in Carbondale, Illinois. It awarded 91 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are $32,928.

Read full report on Social Work at SIUC

#25

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#16 in overall quality

Western Michigan University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. WMU is a fairly large school located in Kalamazoo, Michigan that handed out 113 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

WMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Western Michigan University are $31,355.

Read more about Social Work at Western Michigan University

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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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