Cheapest Social Work Colleges in Maryland

Coppin State University offers Maryland's most affordable Social Work program at just $6,007 net cost, nearly $9,000 less than the second cheapest option. This dramatic price gap reflects Maryland's public university system serving different student populations, while graduates across the state face a challenging earnings reality with salaries ranging from $23,649 to $34,526. The proximity to federal agencies and nonprofit organizations in the D.C. metro area creates steady demand for social workers, though the high regional cost of living impacts career sustainability. Public institutions dominate the affordable options, with eight of the ten cheapest programs offered by state schools.

Programs

$6,007 – $23,707

Net Price Range

$30,008

Avg. Program Earnings

48.4%

Avg. Graduation Rate

10 Social Work Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Coppin State University Baltimore, Maryland	$6,007	$7,001	25.6%	45.0%
2	University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, Maryland	$14,514	$7,992	29.6%
3	Morgan State University Baltimore, Maryland	$15,015	$8,118	41.6%	85.4%
4	Washington Adventist University Takoma Park, Maryland	$15,026	$25,200	40.0%	51.4%
5	Frostburg State University Frostburg, Maryland	$15,323	$9,998	52.1%	87.9%
6	Salisbury University Salisbury, Maryland	$16,456	$10,638	67.4%	91.1%
7	University of Maryland-Baltimore County Baltimore, Maryland	$18,328	$12,952	70.6%	80.6%
8	Bowie State University Bowie, Maryland	$19,335	$8,999	38.1%	86.5%
9	McDaniel College Westminster, Maryland	$20,923	$49,647	63.8%	82.1%
10	Hood College Frederick, Maryland	$23,707	$45,870	55.3%	77.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the massive cost difference between Coppin State and other Maryland programs?

Coppin State's $6,007 net cost sits nearly $9,000 below the next cheapest option at University of Maryland Global Campus. This reflects Coppin's mission as a historically black public university serving students with greater financial need, resulting in more generous aid packages.

How do Social Work earnings compare to program costs across Maryland schools?

Graduates from Hood College earn the highest salaries at $34,526 but pay $23,707 net cost, while Bowie State graduates earn just $23,649 despite paying $19,335. The debt-to-income ratios vary significantly, with some programs offering better financial returns than others.

Does geographic location within Maryland affect Social Work program outcomes?

Baltimore-area programs like Coppin State and Morgan State offer the lowest costs but show graduation rates of 25.60% and 41.60% respectively. Schools in smaller cities like Salisbury University achieve much higher completion rates at 67.40% with moderate costs.

Where do Maryland Social Work graduates find the best job opportunities?

The D.C. metro area provides the strongest job market due to federal agencies, contractors, and nonprofits requiring social services. However, the region's high cost of living often conflicts with typical Social Work salaries ranging from $23,649 to $34,526 across Maryland programs.

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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.