There’s no way around it: College is expensive. That’s especially true if you plan on pursuing a graduate degree. With inflation running rampant, you may think that you can’t afford an online MSW program, but you can. You may have to work a bit harder to find the program that fits your budget, but it’s definitely possible.
That said, there’s no better place to start your program search than right here with our guide to the most affordable online MSW programs in 2023. Below you’ll find rankings of the most affordable online MSW programs currently available, along with great information and advice to help you choose and pay for the program that’s right for you. Keep reading to see our rankings and more.
Most Affordable Online MSW Programs in 2023
While we’re focusing on affordability in this guide, price isn’t the only factor to consider when choosing your program. After all, a program that has the right price but low graduation rates ultimately might not be a good deal. That’s why we’ve based our rankings on affordability and a range of key quality metrics provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Click on the “About the Ranking” button below to learn more about how rankings are calculated. With that in mind, here are choices for the best of the best affordable online MSW programs for 2023:
Brescia University is a private Catholic institution that plays home to a flexible and affordable online master’s in social work. Brescia offers two online pathways: a 30-credit option designed for students with a bachelor’s in social work, while the other is for students with an unrelated undergraduate degree. Throughout this online master’s, students tackle a synchronous curriculum and complete classes such as ethical decision-making in social work, social work in criminal justice, appreciation of diversity and dynamics of oppression. Prospective students must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applicants can apply online and must include a 3-4 page personal statement.
Program Highlights:
Master of Social Work
- Credits: 60 credits
- Length: 2 years
- Cost: $625/credit
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: CSWE
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
Albany State University is a public HBCU in Georgia that offers an online master’s in social work. This 64-credit online MSW degree is split into two years: the first is dedicated to foundational coursework, while the second prioritizes hands-on learning opportunities. Throughout this program, students tackle core classes such as achieving justice in a diverse world, social welfare policies, and family dynamics through the life cycle. Before graduation, online learners complete a state-sanctioned comprehensive MSW exam. Interested graduate students must hold a bachelor’s degree with a cumulative 3.0 GPA. Applicants must include three letters of recommendation, a professional resume, and complete an admission interview.
Program Highlights:
Master of Social Work
- Credits: 64
- Length: 2 years
- Cost: $191/credit (resident); $762/credit (non-resident)
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: CSWE
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
Western New Mexico University is a public institution that offers a CSWE-accredited master’s in social work that students can complete online or on campus. This 60-credit program emphasizes social justice and the importance of relationships while helping online learners develop the core competencies required for professional advancement. As students tackle this online program, they encounter core classes such as cultural competence in social work practice, human behavior in the social environment, professional writing in social work, and social welfare policy. Before earning their diploma, degree-seekers gain extensive training through practicum experiences. Prospective students must have a minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA and a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Program Highlights:
Master of Social Work
- Credits: 60
- Length: 2 years
- Cost: $213/credit (resident); $485/credit (non-resident)
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: CSWE
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
Angelo State University offers an online master’s in social work that challenges students to hone the skills they need to secure social work licensure. Throughout this 66-credit MSW program, students complete a mix of theoretical coursework and 900 hours of hands-on fieldwork. Graduate students complete classes online and tackle courses such as human behavior in the social environment, social work history and social welfare policy, social work research for practice, and introduction to clinical social work practice. Prospective students can apply online and must hold a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applicants can apply online but are not required to submit GRE scores, letters of reference, or a personal essay.
Program Highlights:
Master of Social Work
- Credits: 66
- Length: 2 years
- Cost: $403/credit (resident); $811/credit (non-resident)
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: CSWE
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
The University of North Carolina-Charlotte (UNCC) is a public research institution that serves more than 30,000 students annually. UNCC’s online master’s in social work program is available to students with or without an undergraduate background in social work. Those without a bachelor’s in social work degree can complete this online degree in about three years. Throughout this distance learning program, online learners complete a 60-credit curriculum, and tackle core classes such as foundations of social work, social justice and diversity, social work research, and mental health assessment. Before graduation, students complete hundreds of hours’ worth of fieldwork at an approved clinical site. Interested MSW students must hold a bachelor’s from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applicants must include three letters of recommendation, a professional resume, and a statement of purpose outlining academic and career goals.
Program Highlights:
Master of Social Work
- Credits: 60
- Length: 3 years
- Cost: $280/credit (resident); $1,027/credit (non-resident)
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: CSWE
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | MSCHE |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | NWCCU |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | NWCCU |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | WSCUC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | WSCUC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | WSCUC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | NECHE |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | MSCHE |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | MSCHE |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | NAST |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | NWCCU |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | MSCHE |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
Funding Your Online Master’s in Social Work: 5 Ways to Save
Affordability starts with program costs, but it doesn’t end there. You’re about to discover lots of potential financial aid resources available to help you bring down the price tag of your budget-friendly online MSW program. Here are five of the most popular. But don’t forget to contact the financial aid office for each program you’re considering to find out exactly what funding opportunities apply to your affordable online MSW program. You’ll never know just what financial help might be available until you ask.
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Apply to scholarships, grants, and fellowships created for MSW students
Scholarships, grants, and fellowships are monetary awards made to college students to help pay for their educations. Grants are typically (but not always) awarded based on financial need of the students. Scholarships and fellowships, on the other hand, are typically (but again, not always) merit-based. What all three have in common, however, is that they are essentially “free money.” That is, they do not have to be paid back. This, of course, makes them especially appealing. To find out more about these funding opportunities for affordable online MSW programs, visit OMD’s scholarships and resources guide.
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Investigate work-study jobs or assistantships—even if you never set foot on campus
Two important components of most college graduate programs are work-study and assistantship opportunities for master’s students. Work-study (most commonly Federal Work-Study) provides funding for part-time jobs for students with financial need. These jobs are usually related to the student’s academic studies or community service. Graduate assistantships are normally awarded based on the student’s scholastic accomplishments and/or specific department needs. Compensation typically consists of a combination of tuition/fee waivers and monetary stipends. You may not think that work-study positions and assistantships would be available for students in affordable online MSW programs, but you should definitely reach out to social work departments to see if positions are available.
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Find out if your employer offers a tuition reimbursement program
Employer tuition reimbursement (aka employer tuition assistance) refers to programs in which employers pay a portion of an employee’s education. In most cases, the class or degree must be related to the employee’s job. Some employers require continued employment for a specific amount of time after the reimbursement period. MSW students (like those at Boston University and the University of Montana) currently employed in the social work field may find that their employer offers tuition reimbursement, so be sure to ask about availability.
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Sign up for a payment plan
The common practice at most colleges and universities is to require upfront payment of a term’s tuition. However, many schools offer tuition payment plans (aka tuition installment plans) that allow students to break down the cost of their tuition and fees into monthly payments made throughout the term. Some schools even offer these plans interest free. Examples of affordable online MSW programs with tuition payment plans include Simmons University and the University of Michigan.
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Search out paid internships
Virtually all MSW degree programs include substantial mandatory internships (also referred to as field practicums, field placements, or field experiences). These internships are taken with program-affiliated or approved social services agencies located in the school’s or student’s local area and almost always require in-person participation. Most internships are unpaid. However, some agencies may offer paid positions or stipends to help defray the intern’s education costs or expenses related to the internship, such as the cost of transportation to and from the field placement site
FAQs about Affordable MSW Programs
Q. What impacts the affordability of an online MSW Program?
Affordability is made up of tuition, fees, and related costs for things like books, supplies, transportation, etc. There are a variety of factors that impact program cost. The biggest include:
- Public vs. private school: In most cases, public colleges and universities charge lower (often significantly lower) tuition rates compared with private institutions.
- In-state vs. out-of-state student residency: Many public schools charge higher (often substantially higher) tuition rates to students who legally reside outside the school’s state borders. However, there is a growing trend to charge the same tuition rates to all online students, regardless of state residency.
- Availability of funding opportunities: These include scholarships, grants, work-study, assistantships, and so forth.
- Credit transferability: Some programs allow students to transfer a generous number of previously earned credits, resulting in fewer credits to be paid for in the MSW program.
Q. What is the ROI on an online MSW program?
Depending on your goals, the ROI can vary with your MSW degree. For example, if you plan to become a licensed clinical social worker, work in a school or healthcare facility, or take on higher management roles in an organization, then an MSW is a must-have. Taking on higher-level roles also means a jump in salary, and the ROI will be higher. Wages vary quite a bit by state, so compare salaries to see what your personal ROI could be. A quick search on Salary.com shows that the average salary of a LCSW, which requires an MSW, is around $74,000 per year. The average salary for a social worker with a BSW is around $60,000 per year. That’s a huge jump in annual salary for a master’s degree, meaning your affordable online MSW program will pay for itself quickly.
Q. How can I ensure that an affordable MSW program is high-quality
The foundational element of any degree program’s quality is accreditation. There are two types of accreditations to look for: institutional and programmatic. Institutional accreditation of U.S. colleges and universities is administered by a number of independent accrediting agencies recognized by the Department of Education. Programmatic accreditation of MSW programs in the U.S. is provided by the CSWE. You definitely want to confirm both types of accreditation for any affordable online MSW program you consider.
Another criteria that speaks volumes about program quality is the percentage of graduates employed in their chosen field within a year of graduation. If graduates are getting snapped up, you’ll know that they have the skills to be successful in the social work field.
Q. Is an online MSW more affordable than an in-person MSW?
That depends on a number of factors specific to both you and the program you’re considering. Some programs, for example, charge an extra per-credit or per-class fee for online courses. Others offer a discounted tuition rate for their online degrees. And, as mentioned earlier, some public schools charge higher tuition rates to students residing outside their state’s borders. You’ll also want to factor in savings on such things as the cost of transportation to and from campus and the time you’ll save with no commute.
Q. Can job experience count toward an MSW and help cut costs?
The short answer is “no,” but an explanation is required. Internships or field experiences play a major part in MSW programs, including all of the affordable online MSW programs mentioned in this guide. Their purpose is to provide students with an environment in which they develop new skills and grow professionally. This won’t happen in a job you already know how to do. That’s why prior or continuing experience in a current job is not counted toward your MSW degree. The one possible exception is if you are allowed to take on new and expanded duties in your current job. Overall though, it’s highly unlikely that your MSW program will allow prior work experience to be counted toward your degree requirements.
Q. How can I know if an affordable MSW program is right for me?
The truth is that only you can decide if an MSW degree is right for you or, beyond that, if a particular MSW program is the right program for you. Start by answering these two questions:
- What do I want from my career, both professionally and personally?
- Will earning an MSW degree help me reach my career goals?
If the answer to the second question is “yes,” then make a list of the program features you want. These might include:
- A total program cost of $20,000 or less
- Fully online coursework
- A program length of two years or less
You get the idea. Then apply your features list to the affordable online MSW programs to find the one that comes closest to meeting your needs and preferences.