Most Affordable MSW Programs in California

Written by Sam Medley

Most Affordable MSW Programs in CaliforniaThere are a lot of pros to earning a Masters in Social Work (MSW) in California. With an MSW, you can become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and provide the expert mental health services so many people need. Or maybe you want to get into administrative leadership and guide entire organizations on their quests to create equity. But no matter your ultimate goal, there’s likely one area that needs attention before anything else — tuition.

Fortunately, the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) reports that California has 27 fully-accredited MSW programs as of 2023. That’s more than any other state in the country. To help you find one that fits your needs and budget, we have outlined the most affordable MSW programs in California and how they prepare students for long, rewarding careers.

How We Calculate Affordability

To decide which MSW programs are the most affordable, we first calculated the total average cost of tuition for full-time in-state students enrolled in traditional two-year MSW programs in California. For the 27 fully-accredited schools in the CSWE directory, we estimated the average to be about $29,000. Tuition for the programs on this list is estimated to be below that, sometimes by over $10,000.

We used tuition rates listed on each program’s website for this estimate. Importantly, tuition is subject to change. Our estimates don’t take other fees (technology, housing, books, transportation, etc.) into account because these costs can vary widely between students. Your total costs will likely be different from our estimates. Still, the tuition rates we include here are effective tools to help you begin considering your next step.

What Makes These Affordable MSW Programs Worth It

Just because something’s affordable doesn’t mean it’s necessarily worth it. This is especially true for education in a diverse field like social work.

However, the affordable MSW programs on our list have a few key traits that make them attractive to prospective social workers of all kinds. They:

These traits add value to what are already some of the most affordable MSW programs in California. If you’re at the beginning of your educational journey, you may want to consider schools that have bachelor’s social work (BSW) programs, as well. Sometimes, students with BSWs can earn their MSWs in as little as a year through Advanced Standing programs.

California State Polytechnic University- Humboldt

Department of Social Work
Arcata, CA
Website

cal poly humboldt

Master of Social Work (On-campus and Online)

Total Estimated Tuition for Full-time, In-state, and On-campus Students: $18,592
Total Estimated Tuition for One-year, Full-time, On-campus Advanced Standing Program: $12,185
Total Estimated Tuition for Three-and-a-half-year, Part-time, Online Program: $38,250
Total Estimated Tuition for Two-year, Part-time, Online Advanced Standing Program: $22,185

Specializations:

  • Advanced Generalist

Formats:

  • Two-year full-time on-campus program
  • Three-and-a-half-year part-time online program
  • One-year full-time on-campus Advanced Standing program
  • Two-year part-time online Advanced Standing program

Even though Cal Poly Humboldt offers an advanced generalist curriculum, the program features an impressive variety of highly-focused classes. In addition to taking clinical courses that prepare students for state licensure, students can also enroll in classes like Community and Organization, Indigenous Peoples, and Wellness and Sustainability. The centerpiece of Cal Poly Humboldt’s MSW program is its stipend initiatives, though. Students preparing for careers in school-based mental health and public or Tribal child welfare social work can apply for programs that provide extra training, special fieldwork placement opportunities, and yearly stipends of up to $18,500. These financial resources and the school’s two flexible and affordable online MSW programs make Cal Poly Humboldt a truly innovative, accessible option.

California State University- Bakersfield

School of Social Sciences and Education
Bakersfield, CA
Website

Master of Social Work (On-campus)

Total Estimated Tuition for In-state Students: $18,268
Total Estimated Tuition for Out-of-state Students: $42,028

Specializations:

  • Advanced Generalist

Formats:

  • Two-year full-time program
  • Three-year part-time program
  • One-year Advanced Standing program

The MSW program at CSU- Bakersfield is a great option for students who want to develop an advanced yet flexible skillset. In their first two semesters, students take classes on the foundations of social work. This introductory curriculum also includes a rather unique class on mental health diagnostics, however, that teaches students how to take socio-economic factors into account, as well. As students move on to more advanced topics, they can also choose to specialize in a field like gerontology, child and family welfare, or mental health. But what sets this program apart from others is that students have the opportunity to complete their fieldwork requirements at multiple agencies. This not only gives students a comprehensive view of the field, but can help them decide what path to take after graduation.

California State University- Chico

School of Social Work
Chico, CA
Website

Master’s Degree in Social Work (On-campus and Hybrid)

Total Estimated Tuition for In-state Students: $19,004
Total Estimated Tuition for Out-of-state Students: $42,764

Specializations:

  • Advanced Generalist

Formats:

  • Two-year full-time on-campus program
  • One-year Advanced Standing on-campus program
  • Three-year Distributed Learning hybrid program
  • One-year Advanced Standing Distributed Learning hybrid program

Despite having almost 14,000 students, Chico State’s 24:1 student to faculty ratio makes for a close-knit community. When it comes to providing student resources, however, the school leverages its size. The School of Social Work partners with organizations in 18 counties to give students the opportunity to complete their fieldwork hours at a diverse range of institutions. While the curriculum focuses on Advanced Generalist practices, students can take concentration courses in areas like substance abuse treatment, grief counseling, and mental wellness. Many of these courses also include a research component that allows students to tackle real-world social service issues with a faculty supervisor.

California State University- Dominguez Hills

Department of Social Work
Carson, CA
Website

Master of Social Work (On-campus)

Total Estimated Tuition for In-state Students: $16,986
Total Estimated Tuition for Out-of-state Students: $40,746

Specializations:

  • Community Mental Health
  • Community Capacity Building
  • Children, Youth, and Families

Formats:

  • Two-year on-campus full-time program
  • Three-year on-campus part-time program

CSUDH prepares students for careers in California’s biggest, most diverse cities. Like the other affordable MSW programs on this list, CSUDH packs its curriculum full of classes about leadership, human behavior, and social welfare policy. However, with courses like Social Justice in Social Work Practice and Grant Research and Proposal Writing, students can enter underserved communities and not only provide services directly, but empower local organizations to get the resources they so desperately need. With a flexible three-year part-time option, the MSW program at CSUDH might be a great option for working students.

California State University- East Bay

Department of Social Work
Hayward, CA
Website

Masters of Social Work (On-campus or Hybrid)

Total Estimated Tuition for In-state Students: $17,078
Total Estimated Tuition for Out-of-state Students: $40,838

Specializations:

  • Children, Youth, and Families
  • Community Mental Health

Formats:

  • Two-year full-time on-campus program
  • Three-year part-time hybrid program

Located in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, Cal State East Bay’s MSW program emphasizes the social justice side of social work. Core classes such as Human Behavior and the Social Environment familiarize students with the field’s foundations while courses like Race, Gender, and Inequality give future professionals the context they need to provide informed, effective services. Electives like Family Violence Across the Lifespan and Legal Issues in Social Work are designed to help students tailor their education to their career goals. The school’s approach to fieldwork placements is equally student-focused. Students list their top five areas of interest and a faculty advisor works with each one to find a suitable agency. At just over $17,000 for in-state residents, this is one of the most affordable MSW programs in the Bay Area.

California State University-Fresno

College of Health and Human Services
Fresno, CA
Website

fresno state

Master of Social Work (On-campus)

Total Estimated Tuition for In-state Students: $14,352
Total Estimated Tuition for Out-of-state Students: $38,112

Specializations:

  • Behavioral Health and Integrated Practice
  • School Social Work
  • Child Welfare

Formats:

  • Two-year full-time on-campus program
  • Four-year part-time on-campus program

While Fresno State offers three highly-focused specialties, their MSW students get an education they can use at just about any kind of agency. In their first year, students learn direct service skills like individual, group, and family counseling and case management. The core curriculum also includes program evaluation and community advocacy courses so students can be prepared to enact systemic change and serve as organizational leaders. Though all students get to practice these skills during fieldwork assignments, child welfare specialists have the opportunity to apply for the Title IV-E stipend program and receive up to $18,500 per year in financial support. At just over $14,000, this is one of the most affordable MSW programs on our list.

California State University- Fullerton

College of Health and Human Development
Fullerton, CA
Website

Master of Social Work (On-campus)

Total Estimated Tuition for In-state Students: $17,024
Total Estimated Tuition for Out-of-state Students: $40,784

Specializations:

  • Child Welfare
  • Community Mental Health
  • Aging and Gerontology

Formats:

  • Two-year full-time on-campus program
  • Three-year full-time on-campus MSW Flex Program

With three stipend programs, multiple scholarship opportunities, and a three-year part-time program that includes evening classes, CSUF has perhaps one of the most accessible MSW programs in the state. In fact, it’s the only public MSW program in Orange County. The school’s advanced generalist curriculum prepares students for direct practice, but what sets this program apart is its unique focus on research. Along with taking an applied research course, students also complete a capstone project that lets them research an issue in their area of interest and develop practical, real-world solutions. This, combined with fieldwork experiences at one of CSUF’s over 130 partners, makes for a program that’s as dynamic as it is affordable.

California State University- Long Beach

College of Health and Human Services
Long Beach, CA
Website

Master of Social Work (On-campus and Online)

Total Estimated Tuition for In-state Students: $16,884
Total Estimated Tuition for Out-of-state Students: $14,256

Specializations:

  • Child and Family Wellbeing
  • Adulthood and Aging
  • Integrated Health

Formats:

  • Two-year full-time on-campus program
  • Three-year part-time on-campus program
  • One-year on-campus Advanced Standing program
  • Three-year online Distance Education program

In many ways, CSULB’s social work curriculum is similar to that of other schools in the CSU network. However, its selection of specialty classes is hard to compete with. For instance, students interested in child welfare can take courses focused on play therapy and social work practices used in educational environments. And with electives like Non-violent Conflict Resolution and Spirituality in Social Work Practice, students in any of the school’s three specialty tracks can graduate with practical, career-ready skills. But perhaps the most outstanding thing about the CSULB program is its faculty who are involved in everything from health equity research to helping the CSU community serve impoverished college students all over the state.

California State University- Los Angeles

School of Social Work
Los Angeles, CA
Website

Cal State LA 2024

Master's in Social Work (On-campus)

Total Estimated Tuition for In-state Students: $16,496
Total Estimated Tuition for Out-of-state Students: $40,256

Specializations:

  • Advanced Generalist Practice

Formats:

  • Two-year full-time on-campus program
  • Three-year part-time on-campus program
  • 11-month full-time on-campus Advanced Standing program

With a streamlined curriculum that covers everything from social service agency administration to serving involuntary clients like inmates, Cal State LA’s MSW program is a great option for students who want a holistic understanding of social work. Outside of the classroom, though, the school offers a number of unique learning opportunities. For example Cal State LA is home to the Applied Gerontology Institute and the Child Abuse and Family Violence Institute. Both of these departments conduct research, host volunteer programs, and work with human service agencies in the LA area. So along with learning from social workers during their fieldwork experience, Cal State LA students have the opportunity to work with interdisciplinary teams of healthcare professionals, mental health service providers, and faculty researchers in the school’s other departments.

California State University-Monterey Bay

College of Health Sciences and Human Services
Seaside, CA
Website

california state university monterey bay

Master of Social Work (On-campus)

Total Estimated Tuition for In-state Students: $14,352
Total Estimated Tuition for Out-of-state Students: $38,112

Specializations:

  • Advanced Generalist Practice

Formats:

  • Two-year full-time on-campus program
  • Three-year part-time on-campus program

CSUMB offers one of the most flexible and affordable MSW programs in California. In their first year, students take foundational classes about social welfare policy, intervention practices, and evaluation techniques. But to round out their advanced studies, students can choose from almost 20 different electives. Some electives (like Gerontology and Veterans and Military Families) prepare students to work with specific populations. Others are more focused on building specific skills like crisis intervention, grant proposal writing, and administration. So while CSUMB is committed to preparing students to work in California’s Central Coast region, their graduates are often ready to work in just about any setting across the state.

California State University- Northridge

Tseng College
Northridge, CA
Website

Master of Social Work (On-campus and Online)

Total Estimated Tuition for In-state Students: $17,048
Total Estimated Tuition for Out-of-state Students: $40,808

Specializations:

  • Advanced Generalist Practice

Formats:

  • Two-year full-time on-campus program
  • Three-year part-time on-campus program
  • Two- and three-year options available for online students
  • One-year full-time Advanced Standing program

Located in San Fernando Valley in northern Los Angeles, CSUN teaches students how to provide social services in urban, multicultural environments. Their advanced generalist curriculum covers topics like psychosocial assessment, trauma and grief counseling, and policy analysis. However, community-based advocacy is a common thread through most of these courses making the program a great choice for future community organizers and direct service providers. And while CSUN already offers one of the most affordable MSW programs in California, its state-funded Advanced Standing program adds extra value for students with BSWs.

California State University- Sacramento

College of Health and Human Services
Sacramento, CA
Website

Master of Social Work (On-campus)

Total Estimated Tuition for In-state Students: $14,352
Total Estimated Tuition for Out-of-state Students: $38,112

Specializations:

  • Behavioral Health
  • Children and Families
  • Health and Aging

Formats:

  • Two-year full-time on-campus program
  • Three-year part-time on-campus program (only offered once every three years)
  • One-year on-campus Advanced Standing program

As one of the largest schools in the CSU community, Sacramento State has one of the most robust MSW programs in the state. In addition to taking classes in one of three specialties, students can also take unique electives like Clinical Intervention in Sexual Abuse, DSM: New Developments in Psychodiagnosis, and other classes that apply advanced theories to working with specific populations. Because of this diverse curriculum and the school’s focus on fieldwork, Sacramento State graduates can be prepared for anything from social policy advocacy to clinical social work licensure.

California State University- San Bernardino

School of Social Work
San Bernardino, CA
Website

california state university san bernardino

Master of Social Work (On-campus)

Total Estimated Tuition for In-state Students: $14,352
Total Estimated Tuition for Out-of-state Students: $38,112

Specializations:

  • Advanced Generalist Practice

Formats:

  • Two-year full-time on-campus program
  • Three-year part-time on-campus program
  • One-year full-time Advanced Standing program
  • Three-year part-time online program

CSUSB doesn’t have an official list of specialties — they allow students to design their own. After completing generalist studies during their first year, students take a number of more advanced classes about micro and macro social work. Students then apply this knowledge to research projects, cases analyses, and other hands-on assignments about topics related to their chosen specialties. And while the school has electives like Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Public Child Welfare, and Social Work Intervention with Older Adults and Their Families, students can take classes in other departments, as well. This uniquely student-driven program puts critical thinking in the spotlight while its estimated costs makes it one of the most affordable MSW programs in southern California.

California State University- San Marcos

College of Education, Health, and Human Services
San Marcos, CA
Website

Master of Social Work (Hybrid and Online)

Total Estimated Tuition for In-state Students: $14,352
Total Estimated Tuition for Out-of-state Students: $38,112

Specializations:

  • Advanced Generalist Practice

Formats:

  • Two-year full-time hybrid program
  • One-year full-time Advanced Standing hybrid program
  • Three-year part-time online program

With flexible hybrid programming, CSUSM’s MSW program might be a great option for students with busy schedules. Full-time students attend online classes two days a week and dedicate two to two and half days to fieldwork. Students in the part-time program attend class two evenings a week and don’t start fieldwork until their second year. But no matter what option students choose, they get the same skills-based education. While the program’s introductory classes teach students about broad topics like individual and group therapy, advanced courses about clinical assessment and program evaluation prepare them to enter the field with a skill set they can use in almost any type of agency.

California State University- Stanislaus

College of Education, Kinesiology, and Social Work
Turlock, CA
Website

stanislaus

Master of Social Work (On-campus and Hybrid)

Total Estimated Tuition for In-state Students: $14,352
Total Estimated Tuition for Out-of-state Students: $38,112

Specializations:

  • Advanced Generalist Practice
  • Integrated Practice

Formats:

  • Two-year full-time on-campus program
  • Three-year part-time on-campus program
  • Two-year full-time hybrid program

Stanislaus State’s MSW program prepares students to take a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach to social work. While all students are required to take courses like Current Trends in Social Work Research and Advanced Integrative Practice (a course that focuses on approaching each client’s needs holistically), they have enough room in their schedules to take a number of electives. For instance, students preparing for LCSW licensure can take Psych-Social Assessment. Other electives cover topics like aging, addiction, and child welfare. With day, night, and hybrid classes available, this program makes an MSW accessible to students of all kinds.

San Diego State University

College of Health and Human Services
San Diego, CA
Website

san diego state university

Master of Social Work (On-campus)

Total Estimated Tuition for In-state Students: $19,448
Total Estimated Tuition for Out-of-state Students: $43,208

Specializations:

  • Administration
  • Community Development
  • Direct Practice/ Clinical Social Work

Formats:

  • Two-year full-time on-campus program
  • Three- and four-year part-time on-campus programs
  • One-year full-time on-campus Advanced Standing program

With degree options focused on both macro and micro social work, SDSU has one of the most dynamic MSW programs in California. On the Administrative specialty track, students learn how to lead diverse teams of social service professionals, design and evaluate programs, and guide their organizations through meaningful data analysis. Students in the Community Development track learn how to not just help marginalized communities but empower them to advocate for their own rights. Those interested in providing frontline services can follow the Direct Practice/Clinical path which emphasizes evidence-based skills like motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy. Through the school’s many research institutes, students have the unique opportunity to collaborate with their peers, instructors, and local organizations on real-world social issues.

San Francisco State University

College of Health and Social Sciences
San Francisco, CA
Website

Master of Social Work (On-campus)

Total Estimated Tuition for In-state Students: $17,444
Total Estimated Tuition for Out-of-state Students: $41,204

Specializations:

  • Advanced Generalist
  • Individuals, Families, and Groups
  • Clinical/Direct Practice
  • School Social Work

Formats:

  • Two-year full-time on-campus program

Anyone interested in a career in social work learns one thing quickly — social service professionals have to be a lot of things. Sometimes, they’re counselors and advocates. At other times, they’re service coordinators, case managers, and researchers. SFSU’s MSW program aims to prepare students to be experts in it all. The core curriculum emphasizes an evidence-based approach to meeting clients’ physical, emotional, and social needs. However, with specialty tracks for child welfare, behavioral health, school, and individual, family, and group service providers, students can dive deeper into topics that prepare them to meet the needs of specific communities.

San Jose State University

School of Social Work
San Jose, CA
Website

san jose state university

Master of Social Work (On-campus, Online, Hybrid)

Total Estimated Tuition for In-state Students: $18,852
Total Estimated Tuition for Out-of-state Students: $42,612

Specializations:

  • Advanced Generalist Practice

Formats:

  • Two-year full-time on-campus program
  • Three-year part-time on-campus program
  • Two-year part-time online program (year-round schedule of two to three classes each semester)
  • One-year full-time Advanced Standing program (online and on-campus options available)

Founded in 1969, the MSW program at SJSU was originally created to train social workers to serve California’s large Latino community. Today, the school remains dedicated to that mission but has expanded their scope to all underserved populations. Like many other social work schools in California, SJSU offers an advanced generalist curriculum but within that framework, students still have the option to tailor their classes to their goals. For instance, instead of having one advanced practice class for all students, the school offers eight domain-specific courses like Social Work Practice with Children and Social Work in Educational Settings. And with three professional certificate options and multiple stipend programs to choose from, the SJSU MSW experience is extremely customizable.

University of California- Berkeley

School of Social Welfare
Berkeley, CA
Website

university of california berkeley

Master of Social Work (On-campus)

Total Estimated Tuition for In-state Students: $24,528

Specializations:

  • Health and Well-being across the Adult Lifespan
  • Children, Youth, and Families
  • Organizations and Communities

Formats:

  • Two-year full-time on-campus program

The Berkeley School of Social Welfare is often lauded as one of the best programs of its kind in the country. Considering the options its students have in and out of the classroom, it’s easy to see why. While students have three specialization options to choose from, they can also enroll in dual degree programs and earn certificates that prepare them for micro, macro, and mezzo roles with agencies across California. However, Berkeley students don’t have to stick to the typical classroom/fieldwork format. Campus leaders organize lobby days, conduct research with government and independent agencies, and help communities all over the San Francisco Bay area. Tuition at UC Berkeley may be on the higher end for affordable MSW programs, but its action-oriented learning environment adds unrivaled value.