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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Work (Income $30-$48k) in California

23 Ranked Colleges
3,290 Degrees Awarded
$20,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master's in California For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

With 56,762 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, social work is the 8th most popular major in the United States.

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 $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 23 colleges that offered a degree in social work. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent social work programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the social work program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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 California For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college 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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 23 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Work (Income $30-$48k) in California

#7 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 174 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State LA also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723.

Read full report on Social Work at California State University - Los Angeles

#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k. University of California - Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 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 $30-$48k 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 UC Berkeley are $29,347.

Read more about Social Work at UC Berkeley

#20 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Dominguez Hills. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. CSUDH is a fairly large public school situated in Carson, California. It awarded 99 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUDH also took the #20 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUDH are $17,884, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full CSUDH Social Work Report

#11 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fresno landed the #4 spot on the list. California State University - Fresno is a large school located in Fresno, California that handed out 49 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Fresno State, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fresno are $17,581, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at Fresno State

#5

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 79 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree social work students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCLA has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Los Angeles Social Work Report

#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, California State University - Stanislaus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Turlock, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 89 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Stan State, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stan State are $18,540, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at Stan State

#5 in overall quality

California State University - Long Beach landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school awarded 230 degrees to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

CSULB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at CSULB

#16 in overall quality

California State University - Fullerton ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cal State Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 93 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. 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 Cal State Fullerton Social Work Report

#17 in overall quality

California State University - Northridge ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Northridge is located in Northridge, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 184 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

CSUN did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUN are $17,955, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full CSUN Social Work Report

#10

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California
#9 in overall quality

California State University - San Bernardino landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Bernardino, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 99 students in 2019-2020.

CSUSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSB are $17,936, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full CSUSB Social Work Report

#23 in overall quality

California State University - Bakersfield ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Bakersfield, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 70 students in 2019-2020.

CSUB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Bakersfield are $18,437, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at California State University - Bakersfield

#12

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school awarded 126 degrees to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #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.

Read full report on Social Work at SDSU

#10 in overall quality

California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. 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 California State University - Sacramento are $18,356, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at Sac State

#14

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#1 in overall quality

University of Southern California ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. USC is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,200 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

USC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern California are $48,715, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Southern California Social Work Report

#15

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#6 in overall quality

San Jose State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 156 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree social work students whose families make $30-$48k list, San Jose State has also earned the #6 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 San Jose State are $18,790.

Read more about Social Work at San Jose State

#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, California State University - Monterey Bay did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Seaside, California, and it awarded 42 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUMB, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Monterey Bay are $18,081, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at CSUMB

#8 in overall quality

California State University - East Bay ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - East Bay is a fairly large school located in Hayward, California that handed out 75 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree social work students whose families make $30-$48k list, Cal State East Bay has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State East Bay are $17,828, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at Cal State East Bay

#18

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, San Francisco State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Francisco State University is located in San Francisco, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

SFSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at San Francisco State University

#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, California State University - San Marcos did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - San Marcos is a public institution located in San Marcos, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 61 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree social work students whose families make $30-$48k list, CSUSM has also earned the #24 rank 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.

Read full report on Social Work at California State University - San Marcos

#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, California State University - Chico did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Chico is a fairly large public school situated in Chico, California. It awarded 41 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Chico State also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Chico are $18,802, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Chico State Social Work Report

#21

Humboldt State University

Arcata, California
#22 in overall quality

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 $30-$48k list. Humboldt State University is a medium-sized school located in Arcata, California that handed out 48 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Humboldt State University, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Humboldt State University are $18,802, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at Humboldt State University

#22

California Baptist University

Riverside, California
#18 in overall quality

California Baptist University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. California Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 88 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal Baptist, the school also landed the #18 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 Baptist University are $14,140.

Read full report on Social Work at Cal Baptist

#23

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, California
#12 in overall quality

Azusa Pacific University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Azusa Pacific University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Azusa, California. It awarded 78 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

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.

Full Azusa Pacific Social Work Report

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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