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2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region

24 Ranked Colleges
3,088 Degrees Awarded
$18,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master's in the Southwest Region

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 the Southwest Region” 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 the Southwest region, there were 6,025 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 3,088 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,078 and $37,227 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region” ranking analyzed 24 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.

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.

More Ways to Rank Social Work Schools

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 Southwest Region”.

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 the Southwest Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region master’s degree social work students.

Top 24 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Work in the Southwest Region

#1

Western New Mexico University

Silver City, New Mexico
#6 in overall quality

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Western New Mexico University landed the #1 spot on the list. This small school is located in Silver City, New Mexico, and it awarded 139 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Western New Mexico University also took the #6 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Western New Mexico University are $10,348.

Read more about Social Work at Western New Mexico University

#8 in overall quality

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Arizona State University - Skysong landed the #2 spot on the list. ASU - Skysong is a public institution located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 328 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

ASU - Skysong did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at ASU - Skysong are $6,724, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at ASU - Skysong

#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas at Arlington. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. Arlington, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 648 students in 2019-2020.

UT Arlington also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #2. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Arlington are $23,376.

Full UT Arlington Social Work Report

#12 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. UT Rio Grande Valley is a large school located in Edinburg, Texas that handed out 86 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree social work students list, UT Rio Grande Valley has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley are $15,151.

Read more about Social Work at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

#1 in overall quality

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas at Austin landed the #5 spot on the list. UT Austin is a large public school situated in Austin, Texas. It awarded 152 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Austin, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UT Austin are $22,886.

Read full report on Social Work at UT Austin

#22 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, West Texas A&M University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. West Texas A&M University is located in Canyon, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

West Texas A&M University also took the #22 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at West Texas A&M University are $8,013.

Read full report on Social Work at West Texas A&M University

#7

University of Houston

Houston, Texas
#7 in overall quality

University of Houston came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. University of Houston is a large school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 229 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UH, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UH are $18,689, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at University of Houston

#8

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, Texas
#11 in overall quality

Tarleton State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. Tarleton is a public institution located in Stephenville, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 40 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree social work students list, Tarleton has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Tarleton State University are $15,485.

Full Tarleton Social Work Report

#9

Northeastern State University

Tahlequah, Oklahoma
#19 in overall quality

Northeastern State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, this medium-sized public school awarded 30 degrees to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

NSU also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #19. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at NSU are $10,600.

Read more about Social Work at NSU

#4 in overall quality

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #10. Norman, Oklahoma is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 175 students in 2019-2020.

University of Oklahoma also took the #4 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Oklahoma are $23,236, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Oklahoma Social Work Report

#11

Our Lady of the Lake University

San Antonio, Texas
#10 in overall quality

Our Lady of the Lake University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. OLLU is a small school located in San Antonio, Texas that handed out 358 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

OLLU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at OLLU are $17,490, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at OLLU

#12

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas
#9 in overall quality

Texas State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. Texas State University is a public institution located in San Marcos, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 149 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas State are $17,040, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Texas State Social Work Report

#16 in overall quality

Texas A&M University - Commerce ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. Commerce, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 75 students in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M Commerce not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - Commerce are $14,549, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at Texas A&M University - Commerce

#14

University of North Texas

Denton, Texas
#15 in overall quality

University of North Texas came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. University of North Texas is a large school located in Denton, Texas that handed out 21 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UNT did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Texas are $15,618, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of North Texas Social Work Report

#15

Texas Woman's University

Denton, Texas
#18 in overall quality

Texas Woman’s University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. Texas Woman’s University is located in Denton, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

TWU also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #18. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Woman’s University are $14,962, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at Texas Woman’s University

#23 in overall quality

Texas A&M University - Kingsville ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. Texas A&M University - Kingsville is a medium-sized school located in Kingsville, Texas that handed out 19 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M Kingsville also took the #23 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - Kingsville are $14,066, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at Texas A&M Kingsville

#17

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
#13 in overall quality

Northern Arizona University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. Flagstaff, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 42 students in 2019-2020.

NAU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at NAU are $19,489.

Read more about Social Work at Northern Arizona University

#18

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas
#14 in overall quality

Texas Tech University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. Texas Tech University is a large school located in Lubbock, Texas that handed out 15 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas Tech, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Tech are $17,530, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Texas Tech University Social Work Report

#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, Stephen F Austin State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. This fairly large school is located in Nacogdoches, Texas, and it awarded 53 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

SFASU also took the #20 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SFASU are $15,695, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at SFASU

#21 in overall quality

The University of Texas at El Paso came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in El Paso, Texas, this large public school awarded 49 degrees to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree social work students list, UTEP has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at El Paso are $16,180, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full The University of Texas at El Paso Social Work Report

#17 in overall quality

New Mexico State University - Main Campus came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. NMSU Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Las Cruces, New Mexico that handed out 53 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

NMSU Main Campus did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at New Mexico State University - Main Campus are $18,275.

Read more about Social Work at NMSU Main Campus

#22

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, Texas
#3 in overall quality

Texas Christian University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. Texas Christian University is a fairly large school located in Fort Worth, Texas that handed out 10 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at TCU, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Christian University are $32,268, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Texas Christian University Social Work Report

#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #23, The University of Texas at San Antonio did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. This large school is located in San Antonio, Texas, and it awarded 76 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UTSA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at San Antonio are $25,807.

Read full report on Social Work at UTSA

#24

Baylor University

Waco, Texas
#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #24, Baylor University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. This fairly large school is located in Waco, Texas, and it awarded 87 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Baylor not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Baylor University are $36,936.

Read more about Social Work at Baylor 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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