2026 Best Social Work Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

Saint Marys University Of Minnesota
Winona, MN

Saint Marys University Of Minnesota tops our 2026 ranking of the best social work schools. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota awarded about 102 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn around $69,785 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,081. More information about a degree in social work from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota

2

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 107 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn around $56,823 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete this degree. Read more about the social work program at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

3

Washington University In St Louis
St. Louis, MO

Students looking for a strong social work program will find one at Washington University In St Louis, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 147 social work students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $50,855 early in their careers. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Read more about the social work program at Washington University In St Louis

4

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 33 social work degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $44,434. Students borrow a median of $23,119 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social work from University Of Missouri Columbia

5

University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 86 social work students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $65,989 early in their careers. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. More information about a degree in social work from University Of St Thomas Minnesota

6

Maryville University Of Saint Louis
Saint Louis, MO

Maryville University Of Saint Louis earned the #6 position for social work this year. Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Maryville University Of Saint Louis graduates 66% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 social work students who graduated with this degree at Maryville University Of Saint Louis in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Maryville University Of Saint Louis generally make around $67,909. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete this degree. Read more about the social work program at Maryville University Of Saint Louis

7

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas placed #7 among the best social work schools. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 265 social work students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from University Of Kansas earn around $45,600 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000. Get the full social work details for University Of Kansas

8

Minnesota State University Mankato
Mankato, MN

Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #8 spot for social work this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 86 social work students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $50,207. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250. Get the full social work details for Minnesota State University Mankato

9

University Of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND

University Of North Dakota placed #9 among the best social work schools. This large public university is located in the city of Grand Forks. University Of North Dakota graduates 60% of students within six years. University Of North Dakota awarded about 135 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $55,614. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full social work program report for University Of North Dakota

10

Winona State University
Winona, MN

Winona State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Winona State University graduates 56% of students within six years. About 128 social work degrees were awarded at Winona State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $44,546. Winona State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the social work program at Winona State University

11

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa came in at #11 for social work this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Iowa awarded about 190 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $25,180 in student loans. More information about a degree in social work from University Of Iowa

12

Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, MN

Metropolitan State University came in at #12 for social work this year. Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. Metropolitan State University graduates 44% of students within six years. There were roughly 54 social work students who graduated with this degree at Metropolitan State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Metropolitan State University generally make around $47,637. Metropolitan State University graduates carry a median of $29,615 in student loans. Get the full social work details for Metropolitan State University

13

Grand View University
Des Moines, IA

Grand View University earned the #13 position for social work this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 21 social work students who graduated with this degree at Grand View University in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Grand View University earn a median of $40,736 early in their careers. Grand View University graduates carry a median of $25,837 in student loans. Read more about the social work program at Grand View University

14

Bemidji State University
Bemidji, MN

Bemidji State University came in at #14 for social work this year. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. About 38 social work degrees were awarded at Bemidji State University in the most recent year. Social Work graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $47,192 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in social work from Bemidji State University

15

Bethel University Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

Bethel University Minnesota placed #15 among the best social work schools. Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. There were roughly 20 social work students who graduated with this degree at Bethel University Minnesota in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Bethel University Minnesota generally make around $45,259. Bethel University Minnesota graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in social work from Bethel University Minnesota

16

St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College earned the #16 position for social work this year. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. St Olaf College graduates 84% of students within six years. St Olaf College awarded about 14 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of $45,146 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full social work program report for St Olaf College

17

Dordt College
Sioux Center, IA

Dordt College came in at #17 for social work this year. Located in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 34 social work degrees were awarded at Dordt College in the most recent year. Graduates of the social work program make about $54,926 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,812. Read more about the social work program at Dordt College

18

Loras College
Dubuque, IA

Loras College placed #18 among the best social work schools. Located in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 social work degrees were awarded at Loras College in the most recent year. Students who receive their social work degree from Loras College earn around $43,117 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full social work details for Loras College

19

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa landed the #19 spot for social work this year. This large public university is located in the city of Cedar Falls. University Of Northern Iowa graduates 68% of students within six years. About 124 social work degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $44,780. Students borrow a median of $22,847 to complete this degree. Get the full social work details for University Of Northern Iowa

20

Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University earned the #20 position for social work this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Manhattan. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. There were roughly 39 social work students who graduated with this degree at Kansas State University in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $41,833 early in their careers. Kansas State University graduates carry a median of $24,603 in student loans. More information about a degree in social work from Kansas State University

21

Augsburg College
Minneapolis, MN

Augsburg College landed the #21 spot for social work this year. Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Augsburg College awarded about 95 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Augsburg College earn a median of $51,340 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,737 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social work from Augsburg College

22

South Central College
North Mankato, MN

South Central College landed the #22 spot for social work this year. Set in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public institution. About 19 social work degrees were awarded at South Central College in the most recent year. Graduates of the social work program make about $46,447 in their early career. South Central College graduates carry a median of $13,139 in student loans. Read more about the social work program at South Central College

23

University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Omaha, NE

University Of Nebraska At Omaha landed the #23 spot for social work this year. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. University Of Nebraska At Omaha graduates 49% of students within six years. About 148 social work degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska At Omaha in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $45,149. Typical student debt for the program is $19,930. Read more about the social work program at University Of Nebraska At Omaha

24

University Of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN

University Of Minnesota Duluth placed #24 among the best social work schools. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public school located in the city of Duluth. About 65% of students finish within six years. University Of Minnesota Duluth awarded about 70 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $44,276 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,111 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social work from University Of Minnesota Duluth

25

Minot State University
Minot, ND

Minot State University earned the #25 position for social work this year. Set in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public institution. Minot State University graduates 45% of students within six years. There were roughly 46 social work students who graduated with this degree at Minot State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Minot State University generally make around $44,731. Minot State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in social work from Minot State University