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Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region

2023 Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region

53 Colleges
$39,939 Avg Salary
$30,670 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Social Work School for You

Out of all the majors we analyze each year, social work was ranked #13 in the country. In fact 58,326 degrees and certificates were handed out in 2020-2021.

It's not easy to decide which program to enroll in when you have so many options available. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This report analyzed 53 schools in the Plains States Region to see which ones offered the best programs for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region

Check out the social work programs at these schools if you want to get the best education that money can buy.

Top 10 Best Social Work Schools

#1

Bethel University Minnesota

Saint Paul, MN

Our analysis found Bethel University Minnesota to be the best school for social work students who want to pursue a degree in the Plains States Region . Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Social Work majors at Bethel University Minnesota take out an average of $27,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

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Out of the 53 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Winona State University landed the # 2 spot on the list. Winona State is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona.

The average amount in student loans that social work majors at Winona State take out is $28,389. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $144.

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A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Minot State University is a great place for social work students. MSU is a small public school located in the town of Minot.

After completing their degree, social work graduates from MSU carry an average student debtload of $27,000.

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#4

St Catherine University

Saint Paul, MN

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend St Catherine University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region list. St. Kate's is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul.

The average amount in student loans that social work majors at St. Kate's take out is $36,625.

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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Bemidji State University. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region list. Bemidji State University is a small public school located in the town of Bemidji.

On average, social work graduates from Bemidji State University take out $27,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

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#6

Capella University

Minneapolis, MN

Capella University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a private for-profit college with a very large student population.

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Minnesota State University - Moorhead landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best social work programs. MSU Moorhead is a medium-sized public school located in the midsize suburb of Moorhead.

Social Work majors at MSU Moorhead take out an average of $27,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

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Nebraska Wesleyan University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. NWU is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lincoln.

Social Work majors at NWU take out an average of $29,750 in student loans while working on their egree.

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Minnesota State University - Mankato ranked #9 on this year’s Best Social Work Schools in the Plains States Region list. Minnesota State Mankato is a fairly large public school located in the city of Mankato.

On average, social work graduates from Minnesota State Mankato take out $23,250 in student loans while working on their degree.

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#10

Metropolitan State University

Saint Paul, MN

Metropolitan State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for social work students. It came in at #10 on the list. Metro State is a medium-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul.

On average, social work graduates from Metro State take out $29,113 in student loans while working on their degree.

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Best Social Work Colleges by State

Explore the best social work colleges for a specific state in the Plains States region.

State Degrees Awarded
Missouri 924
Minnesota 2,131
Kansas 623
Iowa 553
Nebraska 262
North Dakota 258
South Dakota 20

Social Work is one of 5 different types of programs to choose from.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Public Administration 16,905
Human Services 13,238
Public Policy 6,430
Community Organization & Advocacy 3,096
Other Public Administration 588

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • 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 the rest 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).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Army Medicine.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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