Are you on the fast track to enter the professional field of social work? Compare these advanced standing online MSW programs carefully to insure career development in a suitable and concentrated learning environment. These programs are designed for students who have graduated from Council on Social Work Education-accredited BSW programs within a certain number of years, or those bringing up to ten years of experience in the field to the virtual classroom. Students may find a variety of beneficial qualities within advanced standing online MSW programs including advanced practicum courses, full or part time options, and customizable curriculums.
Social work careers from healthcare, education, substance abuse programs, and other professional, clinical settings are projected to grow 11% over the next 8 years, according to the BLS. While the median annual salary of a professional social worker in 2019 was above $50,000, tuition prices retained a difference between the most expensive and economical programs of up to $61,000. With those numbers in mind, consider taking some time to review programs that both align with professional pursuits and a realistic budget.
GetEducated has surveyed 63 advanced standing online MSW programs from 62 regionally accredited schools to complete this “Best Buy” list for you. These rankings represent the most affordable options available to students throughout the US. Explore fully researched options and become an informed consumer before subscribing to the next chapter of your life.
Average Cost (In-state): ~$25,700
Least Expensive: University of Nevada – Reno ~$10,650
Most Expensive: University of Southern California ~$71,561
Our data-driven research creates a truly reliable system of scientific rankings. There are no fancy formulas here. We meticulously calculate total full-time tuition—including any fees—for the most accurate total cost. Our rankings cannot be bought, and therefore factually showcase the cheapest advanced standing online MSW programs. The advanced standing online social work degrees listed above the gray dividing line are official 2020 “Best Buys” and cost less than the national average.
41 Most Affordable Advanced Standing Online MSW Programs
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | University of Nevada - Reno | (NV) | $10,650.00 $15,218.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
2 | New Mexico State University | (NM) | $11,985.00 $7,500.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
3 | Western New Mexico University | (NM) | $12,699.18 $15,240.03 | In-State Out-of-State |
4 |  University of West Florida | (FL) | $13,500.00 | All Students |
5 | Delaware State University | (DE) | $14,641.00 | All Students |
6 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | (TX) | $14,698.52 | All Students |
7 | University of Central Florida | (FL) | $15,598.40 | All Students |
8 | Texas State University | (TX) | $15,735.16 $30,927.16 | In-State Out-of-State |
9 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College | (LA) | $16,170.00 | All Students |
10 | Saint Leo University | (FL) | $16,695.00 | All Students |
11 | University of Nebraska at Omaha | (NE) | $16,747.85 $25,912.85 | In-State Out-of-State |
12 | University of South Dakota | (SD) | $16,768.80 | All Students |
13 | Indiana Wesleyan University | (IN) | $16,770.00 $12,577.50 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
14 |  Campbellsville University | (KY) | $17,145.00 | All Students |
15 | The University of Alabama | (AL) | $17,640.00 | All Students |
16 | University of Missouri-Columbia | (MO) | $17,906.07 | All Students |
17 |  Aurora University Master of Social Work / Advanced Standing 14 | (IL) | $18,000.00 | All Students |
18 | Boise State University | (ID) | $18,465.00 | All Students |
19 |  University of Kentucky | (KY) | $18,468.00 | All Students |
20 | University of Arkansas | (AR) | $18,500.82 | All Students |
21 | Metropolitan State University of Denver | (CO) | $18,656.00 $25,542.80 | In-State Out-of-State |
22 | Edinboro University of Pennsylvania (part of Pennsylvania Western University) Master of Social Work / Advanced Standing CSWE,14 | (PA) | $18,768.00 $21,903.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
23 | Concord University | (WV) | $18,962.00 | All Students |
24 | University of Northern Iowa | (IA) | $19,427.00 | All Students |
25 | Brescia University | (KY) | $19,740.00 | All Students |
26 | Morgan State University | (MD) | $20,000.00 | All Students |
27 | Florida State University | (FL) | $21,316.00 $28,375.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
28 | Humboldt State University | (CA) | $22,185.00 | All Students |
29 | West Virginia University | (WV) | $22,716.00 | All Students |
30 | University of Louisville | (KY) | $22,920.00 | All Students |
31 | Northern Arizona University | (AZ) | $23,127.00 | All Students |
32 | Western Kentucky University | (KY) | $23,331.00 $8,250.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
33 | Ohio University | (OH) | $23,688.00 $24,372.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
34 | University of Memphis | (TN) | $23,939.00 | All Students |
35 |  Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | (MN) | $24,000.00 $21,600.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
36 | University of North Dakota | (ND) | $24,159.96 | All Students |
37 | Salisbury University | (MD) | $24,480.00 | All Students |
38 | Dominican University | (IL) | $25,500.00 | All Students |
39 | University of Massachusetts Global | (CA) | $25,740.00 $15,600.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
40 |  Sacred Heart University | (CT) | $25,865.00 | All Students |
41 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | (TN) | $25,900.00 $28,675.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
University of New Hampshire | (NH) | $27,360.00 $29,985.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Walden University | (MN) | $27,630.00 $23,653.50 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
National University | (CA) | $27,978.00 $19,680.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Our Lady of the Lake University | (TX) | $29,606.00 $26,831.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Daemen University | (NY) | $30,160.00 | All Students | |
Virginia Commonwealth University | (VA) | $31,122.00 $50,694.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Catholic University of America | (DC) | $32,165.00 | All Students | |
Fordham University | (NY) | $33,017.00 | All Students | |
University of New England | (ME) | $33,910.00 | All Students | |
Boston University | (MA) | $34,360.00 | All Students | |
Ohio State University | (OH) | $34,462.50 $34,487.50 | In-State Out-of-State | |
 Widener University | (PA) | $36,477.00 | All Students | |
 Winthrop University | (SC) | $38,050.00 | All Students | |
Rutgers University | (NJ) | $39,000.00 | All Students | |
Simmons University | (MA) | $40,302.00 | All Students | |
Seton Hall University | (NJ) | $44,750.00 | All Students | |
Baylor University | (TX) | $45,680.00 | All Students | |
Columbia University in the City of New York | (NY) | $53,913.00 | All Students | |
Case Western Reserve University | (OH) | $54,612.00 | All Students | |
University of Southern California | (CA) | $71,561.00 | All Students |
14 Options for this program have changed since publication.
Accreditation Note: To qualify for a ranking, a program must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table.
CSWE Council on Social Work Education
Rankings Note: These online college rankings are based on a GetEducated Summer 2020 review of regionally accredited advanced standing online MSW programs. Total cost includes full-time tuition and fees and was valid at the time of collection and specific to the online learning program. School profiles for the Request More Information in our directory may reflect a slightly different cost based on different editorial update schedules. The published cost is an estimated sticker price for the entire online degree including fees. Actual costs may vary by student. Factors such as transfer credits, prerequisite courses, professional licensing and financial aid availability will affect final cost.
Editorial Note: Online schools do NOT pay to be included in any GetEducated online degree ranking. These rankings are editorially independent, open to any regionally accredited or candidate college that offers a master’s degree that is available at least 80 percent through online learning and that is open to enrollment by the public. If your online college is regionally accredited and not currently reviewed by GetEducated, please contact us for inclusion.
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