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

24 Ranked Colleges
2,479 Degrees Awarded
$21,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Social Work is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 8th of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 56,762 degrees were awarded to students with this major.

Across the Plains States region, there were 4,557 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 2,479 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,438 and $39,783 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 24 colleges that offer 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.

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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” 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. 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 Plains States 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 Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 24 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Work (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

#1

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Washington University in St Louis. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 247 students in 2019-2020.

WUSTL not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Washington University in St Louis are $56,562.

Full WUSTL Social Work Report

#2

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UMN Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 124 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities also took the #4 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities are $28,845.

Read more about Social Work at UMN Twin Cities

#13 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Minnesota - Duluth is a fairly large public school situated in Duluth, Minnesota. It awarded 43 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Duluth not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Duluth are $28,606, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at University of Minnesota - Duluth

#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - Columbia. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Mizzou is a public institution located in Columbia, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 102 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Mizzou did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Mizzou are $27,193, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at Mizzou

#5

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota
#17 in overall quality

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Saint Cloud State University landed the #5 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 47 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Cloud State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Cloud State University are $12,904, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Saint Cloud State University Social Work Report

#6

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota
#10 in overall quality

University of North Dakota did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. University of North Dakota is a public institution located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 75 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UND also took the #10 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Dakota are $18,326.

Full UND Social Work Report

#7

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#19 in overall quality

University of Missouri - St Louis ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large public school awarded 61 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

UMSL also took the #19 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UMSL are $30,154.

Read full report on Social Work at University of Missouri - St Louis

#15 in overall quality

Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Mankato, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 30 students in 2019-2020.

Minnesota State Mankato also took the #15 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State Mankato are $8,788.

Read more about Social Work at Minnesota State Mankato

#16 in overall quality

University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. University of Nebraska at Omaha is a fairly large public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 97 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNOMAHA, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nebraska at Omaha are $16,374.

Read more about Social Work at UNOMAHA

#10

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
#12 in overall quality

University of Northern Iowa ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cedar Falls, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 31 students in 2019-2020.

UNI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Northern Iowa are $22,648.

Read full report on Social Work at UNI

#11

St Catherine University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#14 in overall quality

St Catherine University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. St Catherine University is a small school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 17 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Kate’s did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at St Catherine University are $17,400.

Read more about Social Work at St. Kate’s

#12

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#3 in overall quality

University of Iowa landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 101 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

Iowa also took the #3 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Iowa are $27,613.

Read full report on Social Work at Iowa

#13

Washburn University

Topeka, Kansas
#21 in overall quality

Washburn University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Washburn University is located in Topeka, Kansas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 60 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

Washburn University also took the #21 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Washburn University are $19,206.

Read full report on Social Work at Washburn University

#14

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
#6 in overall quality

University of Kansas ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Lawrence, Kansas, and it awarded 207 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

KU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at KU are $25,007.

Full University of Kansas Social Work Report

#18 in overall quality

Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Springfield, Missouri, this large public school awarded 31 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

Missouri State also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #18. Average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri State University - Springfield are $12,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#16

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri
#23 in overall quality

University of Missouri - Kansas City landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k 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 51 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree social work students whose families make $30-$48k list, UMKC has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UMKC are $26,699.

Read more about Social Work at UMKC

#17

Newman University

Wichita, Kansas
#25 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, Newman University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. 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 49 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree social work students whose families make $30-$48k list, Newman University has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Newman University are $8,484, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at Newman University

#18

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas
#20 in overall quality

Wichita State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. WSU is a fairly large school located in Wichita, Kansas that handed out 49 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

WSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at WSU are $15,112, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at Wichita State University

#9 in overall quality

The College of Saint Scholastica came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Duluth, 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 30 students in 2019-2020.

St. Scholastica not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at St. Scholastica are $15,502, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at The College of Saint Scholastica

#20

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#7 in overall quality

Saint Louis University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 81 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

SLU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Louis University are $22,074, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at Saint Louis University

#21

Augsburg University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#11 in overall quality

Augsburg University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. 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 81 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Augsburg, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Augsburg are $13,165, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Augsburg Social Work Report

#22

Park University

Parkville, Missouri
#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, Park University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Park University is located in Parkville, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 33 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Park University, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Park University are $6,224, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Park University Social Work Report

#23

University of St Thomas Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#2 in overall quality

University of St Thomas Minnesota did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 117 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UST MN also took the #2 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UST MN are $24,814.

Full University of St Thomas Minnesota Social Work Report

#24

Saint Ambrose University

Davenport, Iowa
#22 in overall quality

Saint Ambrose University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Davenport, Iowa, and it awarded 20 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Ambrose University also took the #22 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Ambrose University are $18,150.

Read full report on Social Work at Saint Ambrose 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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