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2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k

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 $48-$75k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 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 $48-$75k” ranking looked at 23 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in social work. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality social work programs that also have a lower cost than 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

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 $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california master’s degree social work students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 23 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Work (Income $48-$75k) 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 $48-$75k 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 a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 174 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree social work students whose families make $48-$75k list, Cal State LA has also earned the #7 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 - Los Angeles are $17,723.

Read more about Social Work at Cal State LA

#2

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #2 spot on the list. University of California - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 79 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree social work students whose families make $48-$75k 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at UCLA

#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 #3 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k. University of California - Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 91 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 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 University of California - Berkeley are $29,347.

Full UC Berkeley Social Work Report

#20 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Dominguez Hills. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k. California State University - Dominguez Hills is a fairly large public school situated in Carson, California. It awarded 99 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree social work students whose families make $48-$75k list, CSUDH has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Dominguez Hills are $17,884, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at California State University - Dominguez Hills

#11 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fresno. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k. Fresno State is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 49 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

Fresno State also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #11. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581.

Full California State University - Fresno Social Work Report

#21 in overall quality

California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #6. Stan State is a fairly large school located in Turlock, California that handed out 89 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Stan State also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #21. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stan State are $18,540, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at Stan State

#5 in overall quality

California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. Long Beach, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 230 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSULB, the school also landed 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at California State University - Long Beach

#16 in overall quality

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 $48-$75k ranking. Cal State Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 93 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #16. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892.

Full California State University - 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 $48-$75k list. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school handed out 184 degrees to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

CSUN not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #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.

Read more about Social Work at California State University - Northridge

#10

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California
#9 in overall quality

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 $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in San Bernardino, California, this fairly large public school handed out 99 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full CSUSB Social Work Report

#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, California State University - Bakersfield did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Bakersfield, California, and it awarded 70 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUB also took the #23 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Bakersfield are $18,437, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at CSUB

#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 $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 78 students 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Sac State Social Work Report

#13

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#1 in overall quality

University of Southern California landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Southern California is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 1,200 masters’s social work degrees 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 University of Southern California are $48,715, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full USC Social Work Report

#14

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#6 in overall quality

San Jose State University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in San Jose, California, and it awarded 156 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

San Jose State also took the #6 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State University are $18,790, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at San Jose State

#15

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#4 in overall quality

San Diego State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full San Diego State University Social Work Report

#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 $48-$75k list. Located in Seaside, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 42 diplomas 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 $48-$75k list, CSUMB has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUMB 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 landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Cal State East Bay is a fairly large school located in Hayward, California that handed out 75 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State East Bay also took the #8 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - East Bay are $17,828, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at Cal State East Bay

#18

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#14 in overall quality

San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. Located in San Francisco, California, this large public school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

SFSU also took the #14 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at SFSU

#24 in overall quality

California State University - San Marcos ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. CSUSM is a fairly large public school situated in San Marcos, California. It awarded 61 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUSM also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #24. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSM are $18,661.

Read more about Social Work at CSUSM

#15 in overall quality

California State University - Chico came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. California State University - Chico is located in Chico, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 41 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

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 some majors have different tuition rates.

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 $48-$75k list. Humboldt State University is a public institution located in Arcata, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 48 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree social work students whose families make $48-$75k list, Humboldt State University has also earned the #22 rank 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.

Full Humboldt State University Social Work Report

#22

California Baptist University

Riverside, California
#18 in overall quality

California Baptist University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Baptist University are $14,140, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about 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 $48-$75k ranking. Located in Azusa, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 78 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

Azusa Pacific also took 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at Azusa Pacific University

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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