Best Value BSW Colleges in Minnesota 2026

Coming in at #20 on our best value list, St Olaf College is a BSW program where your tuition dollars go further than average. It's a practical choice for cost-conscious students.

The net price of $26,756 per year is on the higher side, even after financial aid. You'll want to explore additional scholarship opportunities. With average aid of $45,098, the school clearly prioritizes making education accessible. The borrowing rate of 42.0% is moderate — you may need loans, but you won't be alone in that.

Bethel University ranks #80 on our value list for 2026. While more expensive relative to outcomes, the right student may find what they're looking for here.

At $31,738 net cost, this isn't the most affordable option. Make sure the program's other strengths justify the price. Bethel University provides an average of $26,886 in aid per student — well above what most programs offer. The borrowing rate of 44.0% is moderate — you may need loans, but you won't be alone in that.

At #123 for value, St Catherine University's BSW program isn't the most budget-friendly option. Still, it's worth checking if other factors like fieldwork placements or campus resources tip the scale.

At $20,918 net cost, this isn't the most affordable option. Make sure the program's other strengths justify the price. The school is generous with financial aid, averaging $40,092 per student. About 59.0% of students borrow to fund their education, which is typical for programs in this price range.

The College of Saint Scholastica comes in at #136 on our 2026 best value BSW list. The value proposition is more modest here, but cost isn't everything — location and program fit matter too.

The net price of $26,083 per year is on the higher side, even after financial aid. You'll want to explore additional scholarship opportunities. The school is generous with financial aid, averaging $28,555 per student. Around 53.0% of students take out loans here, putting the borrowing rate in the middle of the pack.

Concordia College at Moorhead ranks #137 on our value list for 2026. While more expensive relative to outcomes, the right student may find what they're looking for here.

The net price of $25,190 per year is on the higher side, even after financial aid. You'll want to explore additional scholarship opportunities. The school is generous with financial aid, averaging $20,764 per student. The borrowing rate of 53.0% is moderate — you may need loans, but you won't be alone in that.

University of St Thomas comes in at #141 on our 2026 best value BSW list. The value proposition is more modest here, but cost isn't everything — location and program fit matter too.

The net price of $31,250 per year is on the higher side, even after financial aid. You'll want to explore additional scholarship opportunities. The school is generous with financial aid, averaging $35,587 per student. The borrowing rate of 44.0% is moderate — you may need loans, but you won't be alone in that.

Southwest Minnesota State University ranks #267 on our value list for 2026. While more expensive relative to outcomes, the right student may find what they're looking for here.

At $15,547 net cost, this isn't the most affordable option. Make sure the program's other strengths justify the price. Southwest Minnesota State University provides an average of $8,674 in aid per student — well above what most programs offer. A loan rate of 15.0% means fewer graduates start their social work careers weighed down by debt.

Augsburg University ranks #275 on our value list for 2026. While more expensive relative to outcomes, the right student may find what they're looking for here.

At $24,561 net cost, this isn't the most affordable option. Make sure the program's other strengths justify the price. The school is generous with financial aid, averaging $37,850 per student. With 77.0% of students taking out loans, debt is a common part of the experience here.

At #408 for value, Saint Cloud State University's BSW program isn't the most budget-friendly option. Still, it's worth checking if other factors like fieldwork placements or campus resources tip the scale.

The net price of $14,735 per year is on the higher side, even after financial aid. You'll want to explore additional scholarship opportunities. The school provides $7,036 in average aid, putting it in a reasonable range for BSW programs. With just 24.0% of students borrowing, the loan burden here is lighter than at most schools.

At #420 for value, Metropolitan State University's BSW program isn't the most budget-friendly option. Still, it's worth checking if other factors like fieldwork placements or campus resources tip the scale.

At $16,615 net cost, this isn't the most affordable option. Make sure the program's other strengths justify the price. Metropolitan State University provides an average of $8,538 in aid per student — well above what most programs offer. About 31.0% of students borrow to fund their education, which is typical for programs in this price range.

Winona State University ranks #424 on our value list for 2026. While more expensive relative to outcomes, the right student may find what they're looking for here.

The net price of $18,289 per year is on the higher side, even after financial aid. You'll want to explore additional scholarship opportunities. Students receive an average of $5,375 in aid — a meaningful contribution toward total costs. Around 49.0% of students take out loans here, putting the borrowing rate in the middle of the pack.

University of Minnesota-Duluth comes in at #429 on our 2026 best value BSW list. The value proposition is more modest here, but cost isn't everything — location and program fit matter too.

The net price of $20,128 per year is on the higher side, even after financial aid. You'll want to explore additional scholarship opportunities. Students receive an average of $7,186 in aid — a meaningful contribution toward total costs. About 44.0% of students borrow to fund their education, which is typical for programs in this price range.

Bemidji State University ranks #450 on our value list for 2026. While more expensive relative to outcomes, the right student may find what they're looking for here.

After aid, students still pay around $14,859 per year — more than many comparable programs. Students receive an average of $7,904 in aid — a meaningful contribution toward total costs. Around 42.0% of students take out loans here, putting the borrowing rate in the middle of the pack.

Minnesota State University-Mankato ranks #498 on our value list for 2026. While more expensive relative to outcomes, the right student may find what they're looking for here.

The net price of $18,861 per year is on the higher side, even after financial aid. You'll want to explore additional scholarship opportunities. Financial aid averages $5,325 per student, which helps offset the sticker price. Around 40.0% of students take out loans here, putting the borrowing rate in the middle of the pack.

Minnesota State University Moorhead comes in at #509 on our 2026 best value BSW list. The value proposition is more modest here, but cost isn't everything — location and program fit matter too.

The net price of $18,221 per year is on the higher side, even after financial aid. You'll want to explore additional scholarship opportunities. Financial aid averages $6,446 per student, which helps offset the sticker price. About 48.0% of students borrow to fund their education, which is typical for programs in this price range.

North Central University comes in at #510 on our 2026 best value BSW list. The value proposition is more modest here, but cost isn't everything — location and program fit matter too.

The net price of $26,363 per year is on the higher side, even after financial aid. You'll want to explore additional scholarship opportunities. With average aid of $18,112, the school clearly prioritizes making education accessible. About 59.0% of students borrow to fund their education, which is typical for programs in this price range.

Walden University ranks #610 on our value list for 2026. While more expensive relative to outcomes, the right student may find what they're looking for here.

After aid, students still pay around $34,282 per year — more than many comparable programs. Financial aid averages $1,076 — less than you'd find at many similar schools. A significant 69.0% of students borrow to attend, which is worth considering as you plan your finances.