Best Value Social Work Colleges in Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University delivers Minnesota's most affordable Social Work education at just $14,485 net cost, yet graduates earn $39,286 annually. This creates an unusual pattern across Minnesota's 16 programs where the cheapest option produces middle-range earnings. Private schools like St Catherine University command $21,563 in costs but deliver the state's highest Social Work earnings at $45,149. Minnesota's strong healthcare infrastructure, anchored by Mayo Clinic and UnitedHealth, creates steady demand for social workers across medical settings. The earnings gap between top and bottom programs spans nearly $14,000, while costs vary dramatically from $14,485 to $30,525. Public universities dominate the lower cost brackets, with seven schools under $19,000 annually. However, graduation rates tell a different story, ranging from Southwest Minnesota State's 44.10% to St Olaf College's 83.50%, suggesting that program completion varies significantly across price points in Minnesota's Social Work market.

Programs

$14,485 – $30,525

Net Price Range

$39,178

Avg. Program Earnings

60.4%

Avg. Graduation Rate

16 Social Work Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, Minnesota	$14,485	$39,286	$10,117	46.9%	95.3%
2	Southwest Minnesota State University Marshall, Minnesota	$14,760	$38,829	$10,304	44.1%	91.6%
3	Bemidji State University Bemidji, Minnesota	$17,050	$41,937	$10,164	53.4%	77.5%
4	Winona State University Winona, Minnesota	$18,148	$41,565	$10,498	60.9%	73.8%
5	Minnesota State University-Mankato Mankato, Minnesota	$18,609	$40,140	$9,490	54.1%	70.7%
6	Minnesota State University Moorhead Moorhead, Minnesota	$17,816	$37,964	$10,336	54.6%	56.6%
7	St Catherine University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$21,563	$45,149	$49,758	65.1%	92.5%
8	Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$19,181	$37,748	$9,780	38.4%	81.7%
9	St Olaf College Northfield, Minnesota	$22,752	$39,729	$56,970	83.5%	56.4%
10	Concordia College at Moorhead Moorhead, Minnesota	$25,651	$44,170	$30,020	71.8%	65.5%
11	The College of Saint Scholastica Duluth, Minnesota	$23,949	$40,896	$40,454	63.0%	96.6%
12	North Central University Minneapolis, Minnesota	$23,574	$33,565	$29,460	63.6%	90.8%
13	Bethel University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$28,439	$39,099	$42,930	75.2%	72.5%
14	Augsburg University Minneapolis, Minnesota	$23,875	$31,314	$43,942	52.4%	76.5%
15	University of St Thomas Saint Paul, Minnesota	$30,525	$36,275	$52,284	75.2%	77.0%
16	University of Minnesota-Duluth Duluth, Minnesota	$18,464		$14,318	64.5%	80.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Saint Cloud State University such good value for Social Work?

Saint Cloud State offers the lowest net cost at $14,485 while producing graduates who earn $39,286 annually. The program accepts 95.28% of applicants, making it accessible to most students. Though the graduation rate stands at 46.90%, the combination of low debt and solid earnings creates attractive value for budget-conscious students.

How do private Social Work programs compare to public options in Minnesota?

St Catherine University leads private schools with graduates earning $45,149, justifying its $21,563 net cost. Private programs typically show higher graduation rates, with St Olaf at 83.50% and Bethel at 75.20%. Public programs cost significantly less, with four schools under $18,000, but graduation rates often lag behind their private counterparts.

Does location affect Social Work earnings in Minnesota?

Twin Cities programs show mixed results, with St Catherine graduates earning $45,149 while Augsburg graduates earn just $31,314. Rural programs like Bemidji State produce graduates earning $41,937, nearly matching urban schools. The earnings range of $31,314 to $45,149 suggests program quality matters more than geographic location in Minnesota's Social Work market.

Where do Minnesota Social Work graduates find the best debt-to-earnings ratios?

Metropolitan State University creates the most favorable debt situation with graduates carrying just $17,698 in debt while earning $37,748. Winona State follows closely with $20,225 debt and $41,565 earnings. St Catherine University justifies higher debt of $28,020 through top earnings of $45,149, creating reasonable payback scenarios for most graduates.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.