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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Work (Income $75-$110k) 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 $75-$110k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 California For Those Making $75-$110k” 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 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 $75-$110k” ranking looked at 23 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that 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 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 $75-$110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k.

Top 23 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Work (Income $75-$110k) in California

#7 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 174 students in 2019-2020.

Cal State LA also took the #7 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Cal State LA 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 #2 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k. Located in Carson, California, this fairly large public school handed out 99 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

CSUDH not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Dominguez Hills are $17,884, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at CSUDH

#11 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fresno. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. California State University - Fresno is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 49 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Fresno State also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at Fresno State

#5 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Long Beach landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school awarded 230 degrees 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 $75-$110k list, CSULB has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at CSULB

#21 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Stanislaus landed the #5 spot on the list. Stan State is located in Turlock, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 89 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at Stan State

#16 in overall quality

California State University - Fullerton ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Cal State Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 93 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

Cal State Fullerton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 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 California State University - Fullerton are $17,892.

Read full report on Social Work at California State University - Fullerton

#7

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#3 in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 79 degrees 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 $75-$110k 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 University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at University of California - Los Angeles

#2 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. University of California - Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 91 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UC Berkeley Social Work Report

#17 in overall quality

California State University - Northridge came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. California State University - Northridge is a public institution located in Northridge, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 184 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUN also took the #17 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUN are $17,955, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at CSUN

#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 $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #10. 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 also took the #9 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - San Bernardino are $17,936, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at CSUSB

#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 $75-$110k list. Located in Bakersfield, California, this fairly large public school awarded 70 degrees to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUB, the school also landed 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 California State University - Bakersfield

#10 in overall quality

California State University - Sacramento came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 78 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Sac State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Sac State are $18,356, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Sac State Social Work Report

#13

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#6 in overall quality

San Jose State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. San Jose State is a public institution located in San Jose, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 156 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

San Jose State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 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 San Jose State are $18,790.

Read more about Social Work at San Jose State

#19 in overall quality

California State University - Monterey Bay landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. California State University - Monterey Bay is located in Seaside, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 42 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

CSUMB also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #19. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Monterey Bay are $18,081, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California State University - Monterey Bay Social Work Report

#15

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school handed out 126 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

SDSU also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #4. 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

#8 in overall quality

California State University - East Bay ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. This fairly large school is located in Hayward, California, and it awarded 75 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State East Bay, the school also landed 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 more about Social Work at Cal State East Bay

#17

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 $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #17. San Francisco State University is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 12 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SFSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 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 San Francisco State University are $17,944.

Full SFSU Social Work Report

#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, 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 $75-$110k list. CSUSM 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.

CSUSM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. 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.

Full California State University - San Marcos Social Work Report

#15 in overall quality

California State University - Chico came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Chico, California, this fairly large public school awarded 41 degrees to qualified masters’s social work students 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.

Read full report on Social Work at California State University - Chico

#20

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#1 in overall quality

University of Southern California 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 $75-$110k ranking. USC 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USC, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at USC are $48,715, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at USC

#21

Humboldt State University

Arcata, California
#22 in overall quality

Humboldt State University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Arcata, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 48 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at Humboldt State University

#22

California Baptist University

Riverside, California
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, California Baptist University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. California Baptist University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 88 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal Baptist also took the #18 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal Baptist are $14,140, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at California Baptist University

#23

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, California
#12 in overall quality

Azusa Pacific University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. This medium-sized school is located in Azusa, California, and 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Azusa Pacific are $16,571.

Read more about Social Work at Azusa Pacific

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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