Online MSW programs align skills in emotional intelligence, communication, organization and problem-solving with a passion for helping individuals, groups and communities. Students seeking to become clinical social workers must have a master’s degree along with two years of supervised experience in clinical settings, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Students may come into these programs with a variety of academic backgrounds in economics, political science, psychology or sociology. Most online MSW programs offer supervised practicum and internship opportunities. Graduates from online MSW programs are prepared for professional roles in mental health and substance abuse, healthcare, education, and child and family settings.
Professional social workers curated a 2019 median level pay of $50,470, with a job outlook of 11% over the next 8 years. Although those numbers are progressive and promising, it is imperative to align professional and academic goals with a realistic budget. The difference between the most expensive and the cheapest online MSW programs can be upwards of $96,400. If you are ready to enhance clinical and management skills and work towards the credentials to diagnose and treat disorders, take into account every block to build that dream into a reality.
GetEducated has surveyed 88 online MSW programs from 64 regionally accredited schools to create this “Best Buy” list. These rankings represent the most affordable options across the United States. Review and compare fully researched options before taking the next step in an academic career.
Average Cost (In-state): ~$44,200
Least Expensive: Western New Mexico University ~$19,537.20
Most Expensive: University of Southern California ~$115,905
Our data-driven research creates a truly reliable system of scientific rankings. There are no fancy formulas here. We meticulously calculate total full-time tuition—including any fees—for the most accurate total cost. Our rankings cannot be bought, and therefore factually showcase the cheapest online MSW programs. The online social work degrees listed above the gray dividing line are official 2020 “Best Buys” and cost less than the national average.
36 Most Affordable Online MSW Programs
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Western New Mexico University | (NM) | $19,537.20 $23,446.20 | In-State Out-of-State |
2 | University of Nevada - Reno | (NV) | $20,512.50 $29,363.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
3 | New Mexico State University | (NM) | $23,970.00 $15,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
4 | The University of Alabama | (AL) | $25,200.00 | All Students |
5 |  University of West Florida | (FL) | $27,000.00 | All Students |
6 | University of Nebraska at Omaha | (NE) | $27,110.30 $41,915.30 | In-State Out-of-State |
7 | Texas State University | (TX) | $27,114.22 $53,278.22 | In-State Out-of-State |
8 | Delaware State University | (DE) | $27,400.00 | All Students |
9 | University of Missouri-Columbia | (MO) | $27,547.80 | All Students |
10 | University of South Dakota | (SD) | $27,948.00 | All Students |
11 | University of Central Florida | (FL) | $30,221.90 | All Students |
12 | Boise State University | (ID) | $30,425.00 | All Students |
13 | Southern Utah University | (UT) | $30,560.88 $80,780.08 | In-State Out-of-State |
14 | Florida State University | (FL) | $31,084.00 $42,125.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
15 | Metropolitan State University of Denver | (CO) | $31,356.00 $42,836.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
16 | University of Northern Iowa | (IA) | $31,476.00 | All Students |
17 | Concord University | (WV) | $31,490.00 | All Students |
18 | Saint Leo University | (FL) | $32,220.00 | All Students |
19 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College | (LA) | $32,340.00 | All Students |
20 | University of Houston | (TX) | $33,047.00 $65,933.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
21 | Indiana Wesleyan University | (IN) | $33,540.00 $25,155.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
22 |  Campbellsville University | (KY) | $34,290.00 | All Students |
23 | Indiana University Online | (IN) | $35,115.00 $42,960.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
24 | Northern Arizona University | (AZ) | $35,574.00 | All Students |
25 | California State University-San Bernardino | (CA) | $36,000.00 | All Students |
25 | Aurora University | (IL) | $36,000.00 | All Students |
27 | Edinboro University of Pennsylvania (part of Pennsylvania Western University) Master of Social Work CSWE,14 | (PA) | $37,536.00 $43,806.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
28 | West Virginia University | (WV) | $37,860.00 | All Students |
29 | Humboldt State University | (CA) | $38,250.00 | All Students |
30 | Brescia University | (KY) | $39,420.00 | All Students |
31 | Morgan State University | (MD) | $40,000.00 | All Students |
32 | University of North Dakota | (ND) | $40,266.60 | All Students |
33 | Ohio University | (OH) | $40,796.00 $41,974.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
34 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | (TN) | $42,000.00 $46,500.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
35 | Western Kentucky University | (KY) | $42,420.00 $15,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
36 |  University of Kentucky | (KY) | $43,092.00 | All Students |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Virginia Commonwealth University | (VA) | $44,460.00 $72,420.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
California State University-Northridge | (CA) | $45,167.00 | All Students | |
University of Massachusetts Global | (CA) | $45,540.00 $27,600.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
University of Louisville | (KY) | $45,840.00 | All Students | |
Walden University | (MN) | $46,104.00 $39,452.40 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
 National University | (CA) | $46,330.00 $32,800.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Salisbury University | (MD) | $47,430.00 | All Students | |
 Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | (MN) | $48,000.00 $43,200.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
University of New Hampshire | (NH) | $48,457.50 $53,107.50 | In-State Out-of-State | |
George Mason University | (VA) | $48,660.00 | All Students | |
Ohio State University | (OH) | $50,412.50 $50,447.50 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Sacred Heart University | (CT) | $50,535.00 | All Students | |
Dominican University | (IL) | $51,000.00 | All Students | |
 Our Lady of the Lake University | (TX) | $55,509.00 $50,236.50 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Boston University | (MA) | $55,790.00 | All Students | |
 Widener University | (PA) | $57,058.00 | All Students | |
 Winthrop University | (SC) | $58,500.00 | All Students | |
Widener University | (PA) | $59,674.00 | All Students | |
Rutgers University | (NJ) | $60,000.00 | All Students | |
Daemen College | (NY) | $60,320.00 | All Students | |
Temple University | (PA) | $61,170.00 | All Students | |
University of New England | (ME) | $61,980.00 | All Students | |
Catholic University of America | (DC) | $63,425.00 | All Students | |
Fordham University | (NY) | $65,134.00 | All Students | |
Simmons University | (MA) | $70,713.00 | All Students | |
Baylor University | (TX) | $85,600.00 | All Students | |
Case Western Reserve University | (OH) | $91,020.00 | All Students | |
University of Southern California | (CA) | $115,905.00 | All Students |
14 Options for this program have changed since publication.
Accreditation Note: To qualify for a ranking, a program must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table.
CSWE Council on Social Work Education
Rankings Note: These online college rankings are based on a GetEducated Summer 2020 review of regionally accredited online MSW programs. Total cost includes full-time tuition and fees and was valid at the time of collection and specific to the online learning program. School profiles for the Request More Information in our directory may reflect a slightly different cost based on different editorial update schedules. The published cost is an estimated sticker price for the entire online degree including fees. Actual costs may vary by student. Factors such as transfer credits, prerequisite courses, professional licensing and financial aid availability will affect final cost.
Editorial Note: Online schools do NOT pay to be included in any GetEducated online degree ranking. These rankings are editorially independent, open to any regionally accredited or candidate college that offers a master’s degree that is available at least 80 percent through online learning and that is open to enrollment by the public. If your online college is regionally accredited and not currently reviewed by GetEducated, please contact us for inclusion.
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