Looking for the best Associate Degree in Social Work in Georgia? You should consider these top-tier institutions and jobs in the social work field.
Credit: Photography by Steve Kelley aka mudpig | Moment | Getty Images
TheBestSchools.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
Are you ready to discover your college program?
Credit: Photography by Steve Kelley aka mudpig | Moment | Getty Images
You should consider top-tier institutions if you're looking for the best degrees in Georgia for social work. With an associate degree, graduates are well-prepared to pursue diverse career opportunities. Associate degrees earn graduates the skills needed to move forward in their fields.
With an associate degree, the rate of unemployment is 4.6%, versus 6.2% for those with a high school diploma.
College Programs for You
Working and Living in Georgia in the Social Work Profession
Enroll in a social work degree program and work with individuals, couples and families. You'll learn how to assess clients, make appropriate referrals, and develop case plans informed by research-based practices. Some coursework may include common topics such as social welfare policy and ethics, human rights, homeless populations, and substance use disorders.
The state's average annual wage is $38,340, or $18.43 per hour. This holds true for the 4,378,430 workers in the state. Generally speaking, lower-paying earners in the state earn $21,390 annually, while highest-paying incomes earn $99,700. A report on the earnings of social workers in Georgia is shown below.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying annual salaries in USD.
End of interactive chart.
Based on the MERIC cost of living index, Georgia ranks number 5 out of 51 states (including Washington D.C.). It measures the national average cost of living against specific states. According to the U.S. average, all locations are either above (more expensive) or below (less expensive) that average. According to the Cost of Living Index, Georgia's cost of living is 87.8, which is 12.2% lower than the national average. Prospective students relocating to Georgia can use the cost of living comparison to find the right fit for them.
Chart
Bar chart with 5 bars.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying values.
End of interactive chart.
Social workers can expect a 5.8% growth rate in their profession over the coming decade. The BLS projects that the occupation's total employment will change from 71,400 in 2020 to 75,500 in 2030. Entry-level education for these positions generally consists of a Bachelor's degree. There are a number of typical job titles, including:
Georgia Military College, located in Milledgeville, supports 25 online associate programs, including an associate in business administration. Students gain foundational and advanced knowledge relevant to the field. Graduates can apply their course credits toward further study, such as a bachelor's degree.
A leader in student success, the college connects students with career services, academic advising, and other resources. The institution also provides online enrollees with virtual library services and academic tutoring resources, including writing tutoring. Campus facilities and professors' offices are easier to access for those who attend the school on campus.
Online degree-seekers can expect to receive an average of $5,742 in financial aid. The college reports that 92% of learners receive financial aid, with 33% awarded student loans.
Georgia Military College at a Glance:
Type of School: Public, 4-year or above
Location: Milledgeville
Admission Rate: Data not available
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 19-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $6,165
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $6,165
Transfer Credit Accepted: Data not available
Average Tuition
In-state
$6,210
Out-of-state
$6,210
Retention Rate
Not provided
Admission Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
7,501
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
58%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Financing an Associate Degree in Social Work
College students can get financial aid to help them pay for their degree. Financial aid may be in the form of a scholarship, grant, fellowship, or work-study program. Some students qualify for federal student loans, and some students qualify to receive private student loans. The colleges you are interested in may also have their own scholarships available; so it is always a good idea to do your research ahead of time and find out what kinds of financial aid might be offered.
Checklist for Maximizing Your Financial Aid:
Obtain a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
There is a wide variation in the cost of education in Georgia depending on the college or university you attend. However, there are a number of similarities between public and private institutions. You can determine whether or not attending a public institution is the right choice for you by reviewing the information below.
Public 4-Year School Tuition Rates: Georgia vs. National Average
Key
Georgia
National Average
Chart
Bar chart with 5 bars.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying
salary types.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying annual salaries in USD.
End of interactive chart.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of attending a private college as opposed to a public one? Private schools generally have higher tuition costs. Please refer to the following graph to learn more about the private colleges in Georgia:
Private 4-Year School Tuition Rates: Georgia vs. National Average
Key
Georgia
National Average
Chart
Bar chart with 5 bars.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying
salary types.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying annual salaries in USD.
End of interactive chart.
Federal Student Loan Information
In order to pay for your education, have you considered borrowing student loans? You should take certain things into consideration before applying for a student loan.
If you are planning to take out a loan, you must ensure that you will be able to pay all the payments on time.
It is important to consider whether or not a degree from your chosen school will advance your career goals.
If you are considering taking out a loan, make sure you understand the type of repayment schedule that will apply to the loan.
Find out what students typically borrow by taking a look at the following data.
Undergraduate Federal Loans
Demographic
Percent who borrowed
Amount borrowed
Total
66.6%
$27,400
Female
69.6%
$28,100
Male
62.5%
$26,500
White, not Hispanic or Latino
66.1%
$26,700
Black, not Hispanic or Latino
85.7%
$34,800
Hispanic or Latino/a, of any race
67.7%
$25,700
Asian, not Hispanic or Latino
43%
$22,700
Other or Two or more races,
not Hispanic or Latino
A degree completed online and a degree in person differ in cost and class size. In general, online degrees are advantageous because they are flexible, affordable, and convenient. The fees for on-campus degrees tend to be waived for distance students. In spite of this, there are some benefits to attending classes on a regular basis.
Private and public colleges differ in a number of ways. Choosing a public school or a private school will have a different impact on the cost. Students at public schools often use grants and scholarships to lower the cost of their education. For students with high GPAs and SAT scores, private institutions usually offer merit scholarships.
The size of private colleges is generally smaller, which allows for more one-on-one time with professors. Consider the pros and cons of attending a private institution versus a public one.
Pros and Cons
Private
Unique program offerings
Cultural or religious options
Local prestige
Higher costs
Less regulatory oversight
Public
Government-issued tuition costs
Government funding, benefits, and regulation
Oftentimes large classrooms
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for social workers in Georgia?
It has been reported that the mean salary for social workers in Georgia is $75,270.
Are Social Work majors in demand?
The total number of social workers is expected to grow by 5.8% from 2020 to 2030.
Can you get a Social Work degree online?
An associate degree in social work is a great way to prepare for the workforce. Most schools today offer some form of online education.
In order to successfully complete an associate degree, how long does it normally take?
Full-time associate degrees normally take two years to complete. The time it takes for a student to complete a degree varies from student to student.
Popular with our students.
Highly informative resources to keep your education journey on track.
Take the next step toward your future with online learning.
Discover schools with the programs and courses you’re interested in, and start learning today.