Find your online Master of Social Work (MSW) program in minutes!
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Find your online Master of Social Work (MSW) program in minutes!
Cheapest Online MSW Programs of 2024
Cheapest Online MSW Programs of 2024
Find your online Master of Social Work (MSW) program in minutes!
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Earning an online Master of Social Work (MSW) can be an excellent career move. Although it is possible to enter the field with a bachelor’s degree, the MSW can open the door to increased salary and leadership positions. Some kinds of social workers, such as clinical social workers, need to earn a master’s degree, perform supervised clinical experience, and apply for a license from the state in which they are practicing, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Although the median pay for a social worker is $50,390 a year, those on top of their field may earn more than $82,000. Social workers are also very much in demand, with the job outlook expected to increase by 9% — faster than average — over the next decade.
Earning your degree online can be a cost-effective and flexible way to get an MSW. In some cases, the costs are less than they would be if you were taking your courses at a brick-and-mortar college or university. If your undergraduate degree was in social work, you might save significantly in the number of credit hours that are required. You may also save on travel expenses, textbook expenses, and campus-based fees that online students do not need to pay.
How to Find the Most Affordable Online MSW Programs
If you are looking for the cheapest online MSW programs, there are a few factors to consider. Understanding how these factors may impact the costs of your degree may help you choose the most inexpensive option. Let’s take a look at some of the elements that affect the cost of MSW programs.
Cost per credit
The largest cost associated with earning your MSW is likely to be tuition. Most schools charge a fixed amount per credit hour, but this amount can vary greatly from school to school. In general, public, state-supported schools charge less than private schools. At public schools, it’s also possible that you will pay less if you attend a college or university in your home state rather than out of state. Many — but not all — public schools offer a lower rate to in-state students than out-of-state students.
When you are shopping for the most affordable online MSW program, one of the first things to do is to determine how much the institution charges for each credit hour. This information is usually found on the website, but if not, an admissions counselor can outline the tuition costs for you.
Number of credits required
The number of credit hours you’ll need to earn for your degree can also vary from school to school. For many programs, you can expect to earn anywhere from 45 to 60 credit hours to complete your degree. If you have previous classroom or work experience, your institution may credit that in your favor, which means you’ll need fewer class credits.
Students earn credit hours for all courses taken as well as for internships or clinical experiences. An average classroom-based course, for example, may be worth three credit hours. The fewer the number of credit hours required for your program, the less you’ll pay in total for your degree.
Transfer credits
If you’ve taken advanced courses in the past, you may be able to transfer that credit to your current institution, which will also decrease your total tuition cost. When applying to your chosen school, be sure you find out if your past credits are transferable. Each school has its own policies on transfer credit, but it can save you significantly if the college you’ve chosen accepts credits that you’ve earned in the past.
Some programs accept your real-world professional experience in lieu of some credit hours too. If you are already working in the field of social work, ask your admissions counselor if any of that experience can translate into credits earned.
Scholarship opportunities
Every school also has a list of scholarships, grants, loans, and other financial sources that can decrease the cost of your degree. You should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) when you are in the process of applying. Next, meet with a financial aid counselor at your chosen school. Most schools offer financial assistance for students, whether it consists of grants and scholarships or loans. If you were an exceptional student at the undergraduate level, you may be eligible for merit-based scholarships, as schools will want to encourage you to apply.
Finally, note that there are other financial aid sources outside of the government and your school. Private companies and other organizations offer fellowships and aid to students who fit specific criteria. If you are working, for example, your employer may offer funding assistance. It may take some legwork to track down these external funding sources, but it can save you considerably on your college costs.
Distance learning fees
In addition to tuition costs, most schools charge students, both online and in-person, other fees to cover everything from lab supplies to internet infrastructure. These costs may not be immediately apparent when you go to apply. Check the institution’s website, which may feature a list of fees. Although these are unlikely to be as costly as your tuition, they can add up, especially if there is more than one fee you are required to pay.
Online students will likely have to pay a distance learning fee to cover the cost of the technology used to present classes and cover technology costs. These fees vary greatly from school to school, so be sure to check with each institution you’re considering to see how they add to the cost of your MSW program.
This list features some of the cheapest online MSW programs in the country. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for postsecondary institutions.
We evaluated the tuition costs, admission, retention, and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation of each program on this list. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of the cheapest online MSW programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications, such as U.S. News & World Report, to simplify your program search. We’ve pored through these rankings, so you don’t have to.
How to Pay for an Online MSW Degree
Out-of-pocket
Paying out of pocket means using your own money (or that of parents or guardians) to pay for tuition and other expenses. Many students pay at least a portion of their degree costs out-of-pocket, even if they also receive loans, scholarships, and grants. Students using their own money to pay for some or all of their tuition and fees should inquire with their school’s financial aid office about payment plans, which allow students to spread out their payments over the term.
Federal student loans
The U.S. Department of Education operates the federal student loan program, which lends money to students in eligible degree-granting programs. Graduate students are eligible for Direct Unsubsidized Loans, with interest rates and repayment terms set by Congress. Students apply for student loans and other forms of federal student aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine their eligibility for federal student loans. More information about the FAFSA is available in our Ultimate FAFSA Guide.
Private education loans
Because there are limits on how much federal student loan money students can borrow, some may fill the gaps with education loans from private lenders like Sallie Mae, SoFi, and Ascent. The interest rates and repayment terms for private student loans vary based on factors like current market rates and individual credit scores. Students who need to take out private education loans should keep an eye on interest rates throughout the year to lock in the most favorable terms possible.
Scholarships
Scholarships are considered gift aid because, unlike loans, they don’t need to be repaid. Students can receive scholarships based on various factors, including financial need, academic or professional achievements, or being part of a specific demographic. For scholarships based on financial need, students typically have to submit a FAFSA form. Students can receive scholarships from schools, employers, individuals, private companies, nonprofits, community and religious groups, and professional organizations. Although researching and applying for scholarships can be time-consuming, a few scholarships, even in small amounts, can help decrease the amount students must pay out of pocket or with loans.
Grants
Like scholarships, grants are gift aid that doesn’t have to be repaid. Schools typically award grants based on financial need to help fill gaps not covered by scholarships or loans. To determine what types of grants you may be eligible for, speak to your school’s financial aid office.
Work-study
The federal work-study program provides opportunities for students to work part-time on campus or in off-campus community service positions, allowing them to earn income while gaining valuable work experience. Students earn at least the federal minimum wage, although many jobs may pay higher rates. To apply, indicate an interest in work-study opportunities when submitting your FAFSA. Students awarded work-study funding as part of their financial aid package are responsible for finding their own work-study job on campus.
Employer tuition assistance
If you plan on working while earning your online MSW degree, inquire with your employer to find out if they offer tuition assistance benefits, such as reimbursement for successfully completed courses. This type of financial assistance can help students lower or completely cover their educational costs.
One of the key reasons students pursue an MSW is the job opportunities it unlocks. Individuals with an MSW degree can become licensed clinical social workers (LCSW) who provide direct care and interventions to individuals, couples, families, and groups in clinical settings. LCSWs can also operate their own private practices.
For students who prefer to work in non-clinical roles, an MSW can also help develop leadership and administrative skills for advanced management, advocacy, or research positions. MSW graduates who pursue a non-clinical path may work in nonprofit management, community outreach, service navigation, program development and evaluation, project management, and more.
Most social work jobs are defined by their context or environment, including medical and psychiatric hospitals, schools, social services agencies, or addiction treatment facilities. Several specializations within social work, such as child welfare, mental health and addiction, and medical, can influence a social worker’s specific responsibilities.
Career outlook
Social workers — Diagnose and treat mental, behavioral, and emotional problems and help individuals, groups, and families prevent and cope with problems in their everyday lives.
Median annual salary: $58,380
Projected employment growth (through 2032): 7%
New jobs projected: 63,800 per year
Substance abuse, mental health, and behavioral disorder counselors — Advise people on a range of issues, such as those relating to alcoholism, addictions, or depression, and provide support, including for prevention, to help clients recover from addiction, modify problem behaviors, or improve mental health.
Median annual salary: $53,710
Projected employment growth (through 2032): 18%
New jobs projected: 42,000 per year
Social and community service managers — Coordinate and supervise programs and organizations that support public well-being and direct workers who provide these services to the public.
If you haven’t already done so, reflect on where you are in your career and life and your short- and long-term goals to ensure an online MSW is the right step for you personally and professionally. For students who want to explore other fields similar to social work, some related areas of study include human services, counseling, and public policy.
An MSW is an ideal degree for individuals who want to become clinical social workers or work in advanced social work administration positions. A student’s background will influence the type of MSW program they pursue, with options including traditional MSW programs, accelerated programs, and BSW-to-MSW degree programs. Students should also consider if they want to specialize in a particular type of social work, such as social justice and advocacy, child welfare, school social work, or mental health services.
Online learning can make earning an MSW more accessible, but it’s not for every student. Standard instruction methods for online programs include pre-recorded lectures, videos, reading assignments, and independent work. Students should consider their learning style when determining if an online program meets their needs.
Reflect on your self-discipline, motivation, time management, and organizational skills, as these are crucial to success in an online program. If you’re working, raising kids, caring for family, or fulfilling other responsibilities while earning your MSW, decide whether you can handle a full-time program or if you’ll need to complete courses part-time.
Research schools and programs
As you begin exploring programs, an essential thing to look for is accreditation status at the institutional and programmatic levels. State regulatory boards require students to earn degrees from accredited programs to ensure their education meets industry standards for career preparation. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredits social work programs, while multiple regional and national accrediting boards award overall accreditation to schools.
Other important considerations when collecting information about schools include:
Who are the faculty, and what are their social work areas of expertise?
What type of social work specialization options are available in this program?
What are the clinical requirements for this program?
How do online students interact with classmates, faculty, and staff?
What type of technical, academic, career, and mental health support services are available to online students?
Students can learn more about online MSW programs by visiting the school’s website, contacting admissions counselors, participating in virtual information sessions and open houses, and following schools and programs on social media.
Review application and eligibility requirements
Finding programs that you’re eligible for is also an important part of the selection process.
All MSW programs set their own admissions procedures and eligibility criteria. This information is usually available on the school’s website. Students can also contact the admissions offices at schools they’re considering to get more information.
