Costs & Paying For Your Education
Costs
The MSW program bases tuition on the current standard graduate rates plus approximately $60.00 per credit for MSW courses. This is done to help maintain smaller size classes, support field education, and provide additional opportunities for graduate students.
Other costs that are not included in the tuition rate but you should factor in are: housing, parking, books and materials, computer, and transportation during field practicum.
The following estimates are based upon the current MSW Graduate Tuition and Fees, which are subject to change annually.
Minnesota Resident Costs
2023-2024 resident tuition and fees for MSW courses is $621.37/credit.
The Traditional MSW Program requires 59 completed credits, so a Minnesota Resident could expect to pay approximately $36,660 in tuition and fees to complete this program.
The Advanced Standing Program requires 34 completed credits, so a Minnesota Resident could expect to pay approximately $21,127 in tuition and fees to complete this program.
Non-Minnesota Resident Costs
2023-2024 non-resident tuition and fees for MSW courses is $876.42/credit.
The Traditional MSW Program requires 59 completed credits, so a Non-Minnesota Resident could expect to pay approximately $51,708 in tuition and fees to complete this program.
The Advanced Standing Program requires 34 completed credits, so a Non-Minnesota Resident could expect to pay approximately $29,798 in tuition and fees to complete this program.
Paying for your education
Financial Aid
Graduate students may be eligible for financial aid, usually in the form of low-interest loans. The financial aid process begins with completing the Federal Student Financial Aid Application (FAFSA). For help with financial aid at Minnesota State Mankato, please contact our Student Financial Services office.
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate Assistantships (GA) are temporary positions for graduate students who would like to work on campus while attending graduate school. GA positions are available each year all over campus and include opportunities to assist with teaching, research, program administration, and student development. You must be admitted to a Minnesota State Mankato graduate program to qualify for any GA position.
GA positions are offered as one-semester or one-year assignments, and require 10-20 hours of work per week. For that work, graduate assistants are paid a stipend and receive a tuition benefit as well. Hours are often flexible to fit with your class schedule. Most GA positions don't require that you qualify for financial aid.
The Department of Social Work hires 5 to 7 graduate assistants (GAs) each academic year. Postings for most GA positions are made by mid-January for the upcoming academic year (fall-spring). You should begin applying for positions mid-January and continue checking for opportunities as position announcements are posted. Please contact the MSW Program Director with questions about GA positions, and indicate your interest in the positions when you apply for admission to the College of Graduate Studies.
Child Welfare Program
Please visit the Child Welfare Program website, and contact Dr. Debra Gohagan if you have interest in this program and would like to learn more.
Southern Minnesota Behavioral Health Initiative
Minnesota State University, Mankato partners was awarded a four-year grant in 2021 by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to expand the behavioral health workforce in southern Minnesota. This initiative is open to students that have been admitted to the MSW Program and are entering their Specialization year.
Each academic year (through 2024-2025), eight stipend recipients are selected from admitted students to participate in this program. Stipend recipients receive:
- $10,000 while completing their practicum in integrated behavioral health, and
- have a budget to engage in professional development opportunities and advanced training.
Application information for the Behavioral Health Initiative is made available to students in May of each year for the following academic year. Please contact Dr. David Beimers if you have interest in this program and would like to learn more.
