20 of the Most Affordable Online Social Work Degrees in 2023

If you want a career where you can help people of all ages who are facing difficulties in life, you might be thinking about going into social work. Not only is this career personally rewarding, it also offers job stability. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts it will grow by 12% from 2020 to 2030 — which is faster than average for job growth.

But before you can begin a career in social work, you'll need a college degree. If you're worried about how to fit one into your budget, you'll be glad to know that several colleges have affordable online social work degree programs. In addition, most colleges offer financial aid that you can look into for help affording the school you want to attend. Whether you need a bachelor's or master's degree in this field, the following lists can help you find an affordable online social work degree.

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10 of the Most Affordable Online Colleges for Social Work Bachelor’s Degrees

To get a job as a social worker — even in an entry-level role in this field — you typically need a bachelor's degree in social work or a related field. Fortunately, there are several colleges that let you complete this degree fully online, allowing you to work on weekdays and do your coursework on nights and weekends if necessary. 

This makes it easier for you to afford the education you need for social work since you don't have to quit your current job to get started in this field. And many of these schools fit within most budgets, as annual tuition is less than $13,000. Here are some of the most affordable online colleges for social work degrees.

Bemidji State University – Bachelor of Social Work

Annual tuition: $7,240

Prerequisites: 2.0 GPA and at least 30 semester hours of general education classes

Examples of courses:

  • Family dynamics and intervention
  • Social welfare policy
  • Human behavior in social environment

Briar Cliff University – Bachelor of Social Work

Annual tuition: $10,100 

Prerequisites: Associate degree or 62 transferable credits 

Examples of courses:

  • Social issues and policy
  • Human behavior and the social environment
  • Community organization

Eastern Kentucky University – Bachelor of Social Work 

Annual tuition: $12,250 

Prerequisites: High school diploma; 2.5 GPA

Examples of courses:

  • Crisis intervention
  • Race and ethnic relations
  • Addiction

Eastern New Mexico University – Bachelor of Social Work 

Annual tuition: $10,830

Prerequisites: High school diploma; 2.5 GPA; entrance interview; 3 references

Examples of courses:

  • Psychology
  • Developmental psychology
  • Social psychology
  • Introduction to human services and social work

King University – Bachelor of Social Work

Annual tuition: $10,250

Prerequisites: High school diploma or GED; 2.2 GPA; essay and interview

Examples of courses:

  • Social work research
  • Human diversity and ethical issues
  • Family and group practice
  • Social welfare policy

Metropolitan State University of Denver - Bachelor of Science in Social Work 

Annual tuition: $11,100 

Prerequisites: High school diploma; 2.6 GPA

Examples of courses:

  • Philosophy of social work
  • Social work experience
  • Social welfare policy

Northwestern State University of Louisiana – Bachelor of Social Work

Annual tuition: $11,250

Prerequisites: High school diploma or GED; 2.0 GPA

Examples of courses:

  • Sociology
  • Psychology
  • Social work

Touro University Worldwide – Bachelor's Degree in Social Work 

Annual tuition: $12,000

Prerequisites: High school diploma or GED; 2.0 GPA

Examples of courses:

  • Social work research
  • Ethics and social policy
  • Victim advocacy
  • Domestic violence
  • Child welfare services

Troy University – Bachelor of Science in Social Work

Annual tuition: $11,640 

Prerequisites: High school diploma; 2.0 GPA

Examples of courses:

  • Ethics
  • Social work research
  • Social policy and planning
  • Social work with groups

University of Utah – Bachelor of Social Work

Annual tuition: $7,800

Prerequisites: Completion of general education classes; 2.35 GPA; 2 letters of recommendation

Examples of courses:

  • Social welfare policy
  • Human behavior and social environment
  • Social work research
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    How to Choose an Affordable Online Master's in Social Work Program 

    If you've already completed an undergraduate degree, you might start realizing the value of earning a master's in social work next. After all, this degree can help you advance in your career. And you likely already know you want the flexibility of online classes, especially if you have to work during typical school hours. As you can see, lots of colleges offer an affordable online master's in social work. So how can you narrow down your choices?

    First, look at the prerequisites of the program to make sure you meet them. Most schools that offer an affordable online master's in social work require you to have a bachelor's degree first. Many also require a grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher, as well as good scores on standardized tests, like the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). So make sure you meet these requirements before you spend time applying.

    Next, look at the tuition, as well as the financial aid that's available. There are plenty of schools that offer an affordable online social work degree, so you shouldn't have to break your budget to get the education you need for this field. You should also look at the course lists so you know what kind of information you can expect to learn from the degree program you're considering. 

    Finally, consider other factors, like how popular the program is — which you can see by checking how many students are involved in the online program. Thinking about these details should help you find an affordable online master's in social work program that's right for you. This will get you started on the social work career you're interested in — or help you advance faster in your current social work role. Fortunately, you'll find many affordable online social work degrees at the graduate level on the list below. 

10 Affordable Social Work Master’s Programs Online

If you’re looking for a way to take your social work career to the next level, you’ll likely need a master’s degree in this subject. Fortunately, there are several affordable social work master’s programs online that don’t require you to go over your budget for tuition. Take a look at 10 affordable online social work degree programs that let you earn your master’s degree for under $15,000 per year. And then don’t forget to look into financial aid — such as scholarships and grants — that will help you further cut down on your costs of education as you work on learning more about social work. 

Aurora University – Master of Social Work

Annual tuition: $12,100 

Prerequisites: Bachelor’s degree; 3.0 GPA; personal statement; 2 letters of recommendation

Examples of courses:

  • Social work with children and families
  • Medical social work
  • Social work research
  • Social welfare

California State University San Bernardino – Master of Social Work

Annual tuition: $12,200

Prerequisites: Bachelor’s degree; 3.0 GPA

Examples of courses:

  • Human behavior and the social environment
  • Supervision in social work
  • Social work research
  • Social work intervention with the elderly

Delaware State University – Master of Social Work

Annual tuition: $13,500

Prerequisites: Bachelor’s degree; 3.0 GPA 

Examples of courses:

  • Social work with families
  • Social work in communities
  • Social work and psychopathology

Florida State University – Online Master of Social Work

Annual tuition: $12, 300

Prerequisites: Bachelor’s degree; 3.0 GPA; personal statement; GRE unless you meet waiver qualifications

Examples of courses:

  • Ethics in social work
  • Leadership in social work
  • Social work research practices 

Northcentral University – Master of Social Work

Annual tuition: $11,100

Prerequisites: Bachelor’s degree

Examples of courses:

  • Leadership in social work
  • Mental health, ethics, and diversity in social work
  • Social work with families

Texas State University – Online Master of Social Work

Annual tuition: $13,775

Prerequisites: Bachelor’s degree; 2.5 GPA

Examples of courses:

  • Social welfare policy
  • Social work intervention in drug addiction and abuse
  • Social work intervention in child abuse and neglect
  • Advanced social work research

University of Arkansas at Little Rock – Master of Social Work

Annual tuition: $11,700

Prerequisites: Bachelor’s degree; 3.0 GPA; narrative statement; 3 letters of recommendation

Examples of courses:

  • Social welfare policies
  • Social work research techniques
  • Statistics in social work 

University of Missouri – Master of Social Work 

Annual tuition: $8,280

Prerequisites: Bachelor’s degree; 3.0 GPA; resident of Missouri or nearby state; resume; 3 letters of recommendation; personal statement

Examples of courses:

  • Research in social work
  • DSM V and Psychopathology
  • Policymaking
  • Human behavior
  • Management of social agencies 

University of Wyoming – Master of Social Work 

Annual tuition: $7,200

Prerequisites: Bachelor’s degree; 3.0 GPA; a grade of C or better on a human biology course and a statistics course

Examples of courses:

  • Social work research
  • Leadership and supervision skills
  • Foundation of social work

West Virginia University – Master of Social Work 

Annual tuition: $9,800

Prerequisites: Bachelor’s degree; 2.75 GPA; 3 letters of recommendation; essay

Examples of courses:

  • Social justice
  • Child mental health
  • Social policy analysis

Sources: 

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Social Workers

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