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

25 Ranked Colleges
2,479 Degrees Awarded
$20,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master's in the Plains States Region

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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.

This year’s “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region” ranking analyzed 25 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the social work program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region” list to help you make the college decision.

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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Work in the Plains States Region

#1

Walden University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#8 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Walden University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 671 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Walden University also took the #8 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Walden University are $10,716, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at Walden University

#15 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. Minnesota State Mankato is a fairly large public school situated in Mankato, Minnesota. It awarded 30 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Minnesota State Mankato did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State University - Mankato are $8,788, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at Minnesota State Mankato

#3

Augsburg University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#11 in overall quality

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Augsburg University landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 81 degrees to qualified masters’s social work 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Augsburg University are $13,165.

Full Augsburg University Social Work Report

#9 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The College of Saint Scholastica. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. The College of Saint Scholastica is a private not-for-profit institution located in Duluth, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 30 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Scholastica also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #9. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at St. Scholastica are $15,502.

Full St. Scholastica Social Work Report

#5

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota
#17 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Saint Cloud State University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. St. Cloud State University is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. It awarded 47 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Cloud State University also took the #17 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Cloud State University are $12,904, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at Saint Cloud State University

#6

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota
#10 in overall quality

University of North Dakota landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and it awarded 75 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree social work students list, UND has also earned the #10 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 University of North Dakota are $18,326.

Read full report on Social Work at University of North Dakota

#7

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 ranking, coming in at #7. UST MN is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. 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 UST MN Social Work Report

#8

St Catherine University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#14 in overall quality

St Catherine University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at St Catherine University are $17,400, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Work at St Catherine University

#18 in overall quality

Missouri State University - Springfield landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Missouri State is a large public school situated in Springfield, Missouri. It awarded 31 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Missouri State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri State University - Springfield are $12,042, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#10

Park University

Parkville, Missouri
#24 in overall quality

Park University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Parkville, Missouri, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 33 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

Park University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Park University are $6,224, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at Park University

#16 in overall quality

University of Nebraska at Omaha came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it awarded 97 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

UNOMAHA also took 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 UNOMAHA are $16,374.

Read more about Social Work at UNOMAHA

#12

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
#6 in overall quality

University of Kansas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #12. KU is located in Lawrence, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 207 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree social work students list, KU has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Kansas are $25,007, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at University of Kansas

#13

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Saint Louis University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 81 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

SLU also took the #7 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 Louis University are $22,074.

Read more about Social Work at Saint Louis University

#14

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
#12 in overall quality

University of Northern Iowa ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 31 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

UNI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNI are $22,648, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Northern Iowa Social Work Report

#15

Newman University

Wichita, Kansas
#25 in overall quality

Newman University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. Newman University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Wichita, Kansas. It awarded 49 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Newman University also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #25. Average graduate tuition and fees at Newman University are $8,484, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at Newman University

#5 in overall quality

University of Missouri - Columbia ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. Columbia, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 102 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree social work students list, Mizzou has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Mizzou are $27,193, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at Mizzou

#17

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#3 in overall quality

University of Iowa ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. University of Iowa is a large public school situated in Iowa City, Iowa. It awarded 101 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa, the school also landed 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 University of Iowa

#18

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#4 in overall quality

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 124 students in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities are $28,845, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Work at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

#19

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, Wichita State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. Wichita State University is located in Wichita, Kansas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 49 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree social work students list, WSU has also earned the #20 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 WSU are $15,112.

Read more about Social Work at Wichita State University

#20

Washburn University

Topeka, Kansas
#21 in overall quality

Washburn University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #20. This medium-sized school is located in Topeka, Kansas, and it awarded 60 masters’s social work degrees in 2019-2020.

Washburn University also made our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #21. Average graduate tuition and fees at Washburn University are $19,206, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Work at Washburn University

#13 in overall quality

University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #21. UMN Duluth is a fairly large school located in Duluth, Minnesota that handed out 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UMN Duluth are $28,606.

Read full report on Social Work at UMN Duluth

#22

Saint Ambrose University

Davenport, Iowa
#22 in overall quality

Saint Ambrose University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. Saint Ambrose University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Davenport, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 20 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Ambrose University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Ambrose University are $18,150, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Saint Ambrose University Social Work Report

#23

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#19 in overall quality

University of Missouri - St Louis came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. UMSL is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 61 masters’s social work degrees 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 UMSL

#24

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri
#23 in overall quality

University of Missouri - Kansas City came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, this fairly large public school awarded 51 degrees to qualified masters’s social work students in 2019-2020.

UMKC also took the #23 spot in our “Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - Kansas City are $26,699, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UMKC Social Work Report

#25

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#1 in overall quality

Washington University in St Louis came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Work Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Washington University in St Louis is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 247 masters’s social work degrees 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at WUSTL are $56,562, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Work at Washington University in St Louis

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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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