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2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

46 Ranked Colleges
5,096 Degrees Awarded
$26,700 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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

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.

For this year’s “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 46 colleges that offer a degree in social work. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality social work programs that also have a lower cost than 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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The social work school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.

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. 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 the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Work (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#1 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 $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 199 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 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 UChicago are $61,548.

Read more about Social Work at University of Chicago

#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 379 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 167 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - 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 join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 151 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Social Work Report

#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Ohio State University - Main Campus. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Ohio State is a large school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 365 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Ohio State also took the #5 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 Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141.

Read more about Social Work at Ohio State

#6

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. IU Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 29 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Bloomington, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at Indiana University - Bloomington

#9 in overall quality

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k 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.

IUPUI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at IUPUI are $26,013, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Social Work Report

#22 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Green Bay ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school handed out 60 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

UW - Green Bay did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Green Bay are $19,126, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

#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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school awarded 248 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

UIC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 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 UIC are $27,036.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Social Work Report

#10

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan
#14 in overall quality

Grand Valley State University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Allendale, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 143 students in 2019-2020.

GVSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. 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 more about Social Work at GVSU

#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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh is a fairly large school located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin that handed out 16 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UW Oshkosh also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #25. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW Oshkosh are $18,744, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, 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 $30-$48k list. Case Western is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cleveland, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 223 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Case Western also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #6. 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 Reserve University

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 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 $30-$48k ranking. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a fairly large school located in Edwardsville, Illinois that handed out 29 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at SIUE are $9,300, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

#14

Indiana University - East

Richmond, Indiana

Indiana University - East did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Indiana University - 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.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at IU East are $18,275.

Read full report on Social Work at Indiana University - East

#15

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Aurora University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Aurora is a medium-sized school located in Aurora, Illinois that handed out 460 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Aurora, the school also landed the #8 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 Aurora University are $13,200.

Read full report on Social Work at Aurora University

#16

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

Whitewater, Wisconsin
#21 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is a fairly large school located in Whitewater, Wisconsin that handed out 27 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Whitewater not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Whitewater are $19,200, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at UW - Whitewater

#17

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, Michigan

With a ranking of #17, Ferris 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 $30-$48k list. 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 are $7,908, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at Ferris

#18

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

Governors State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Governors State University is a public institution located in University Park, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 48 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Governors State University are $14,674, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at Governors State University

#19

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#13 in overall quality

Wayne State University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Wayne State is a large public school situated in Detroit, Michigan. It awarded 322 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Wayne State also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #13. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State University are $37,215, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Wayne State University Social Work Report

#20

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#12 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. 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 made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #12. 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 full report on Social Work at UWM

#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 $30-$48k ranking. Saginaw Valley State University is located in University Center, Michigan and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 56 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Saginaw Valley State University are $28,780.

Read full report on Social Work at Saginaw Valley State University

#22

Youngstown State University

Youngstown, Ohio

Youngstown State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Youngstown, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 71 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Youngstown State University are $9,495.

Read full report on Social Work at Youngstown State University

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Carbondale, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 91 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at SIUC are $32,928, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at SIUC

#24

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#11 in overall quality

Michigan 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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. Michigan State University is a large public school situated in East Lansing, Michigan. It awarded 27 masters’s social work degrees 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State are $37,056.

Full Michigan State University Social Work Report

#25

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois
#19 in overall quality

University of St Francis came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Joliet, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 26 students in 2019-2020.

University of Saint Francis also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #19. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Saint Francis are $13,839, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at University of Saint Francis

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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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