50 Most Affordable CSWE Accredited MSW Programs

Social work is a noble profession that involves helping people in many different ways. However, if you’ve thought about pursuing this degree, you may have also taken cost into consideration. This article will review 50 of the most affordable master’s in social work (MSW) programs that have been accredited by the CSWE. As a social worker, you might find yourself providing resources to families or individuals, helping others with their mental health, supporting your community, and more. With a master’s degree in social work, you have even more options for career paths and income. An MSW degree can allow you to become a licensed clinical social worker, a supervisor at a social services agency, and much more. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, social workers have a higher than average job growth outlook of 7% through 2032, with a median annual wage of $55,350. These statistics are for all social workers, though, including those with a bachelor’s. A master’s may open up the opportunity for higher income. 

You can earn a MSW degree whether or not you have a bachelor’s degree in social work. Earning your degree from a Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited school is important because it ensures the education you are receiving is of the highest standard, and will prepare you for any licensing exams, as well as your future career. 

Below is a review of the most affordable CSWE-accredited MSW programs. Some of them are offered online, others offer an accelerated or advanced standing program, and some have full-time and part-time options.

Affordable MSW Programs with Online Option

Attending an online MSW program has many benefits for those who need a flexible option. Students enrolled online can complete work on a more flexible time-table, attend class in their own personalized environment, and do homework on-the-go. Online courses allow full-time social workers or other professionals to gain an education without needing to quit their jobs. The programs reviewed below might be offered only online, or might have an option for online and on-campus attendance.

Western New Mexico University – Silver City, New Mexico

Affordable On-Campus MSW Programs

This section includes programs that were listed above, as well as other MSW programs that offer a campus-only format. Just as some individuals thrive in an online environment, others do well by attending in person. Ultimately, the choice is up to you.

No GRE Required Affordable MSW Programs

Each of the affordable MSW programs that do not require a GRE for entrance have been reviewed in previous sections. Appalachian State University, Virginia Commonwealth University, University of West Florida, and CSU Bakersfield do require GRE scores to be submitted. 

The GRE, or Graduate Record Exam, is a standardized entrance exam used by universities to determine a student’s capabilities in areas such as critical thinking, math, data analysis, vocabulary, and more. This helps the university learn if a student is ready for graduate level studies. However, more and more universities are choosing to not test students in this area, and instead opting to look at the wider picture of what a student has to offer. This might include their work history, references, undergraduate GPA, and more. Some MSW programs will require the GRE for students who have an undergraduate GPA that is less than a 3.0, or students who are coming from outside the US.

Affordable MSW programs with Accelerated Advanced Standing Options

Almost all of the MSW programs reviewed in previous sections are considered affordable compared to other universities, and have an advanced standing option. This may be for a variety of reasons. Some universities are cheaper because some costs are funded through taxes, so students who live in the state benefit from a lower cost if they attend that school. Others may simply have a lower tuition. Regardless, if you qualify for the advanced standing option at the university of your choice, you may be able to save money. This is because this option allows a student to complete the program in half the time of the standard program, for example, one year of schooling instead of two. 

To qualify for advanced standing, MSW programs typically require a student to have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (or higher, depending on the school). The student must have earned a bachelor’s degree in social work. This prepares a student for the master’s program because they will learn foundational information about the field that the first year of graduate school covers. Those who have earned a bachelor’s degree in something other than social work will likely need to enroll in the standard full-time or part-time program.

Financial Aid for MSW Programs

If affordability is important to you, looking into grants and scholarships may be a great way to help fund your education. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an important resource. By filling out this application each year that you are in school, you can potentially receive grants and/or federal loans based on your income, family size, and more. 

For social workers, there are many websites that collect information on available scholarships, including:

• CSWE Scholarships and Fellowships
• Social Work Guide
• Social Work License Map
• SocialWork.org
• Scholarships.com
• CollegeScholarships.org
• College Consensus

Additionally, many universities have their own scholarship opportunities from time to time. To find these, you can explore the website of universities you are interested in, or contact the university directly.

Paying for school may feel overwhelming, but there are options out there for affordability and funding your education.