The University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s online Master of Social Work program has been ranked among the best in the country.

Higher education information and resource provider AffordableColleges.com ranked UA Little Rock as ninth on its list of the best online master’s degrees in social work, citing the program’s “quality and affordability.”

The rankings factored in criteria such as loan default rates, graduation rates, and financial aid data to draw a distinction between the programs that appear cheap up-front and those that pay off in the long run.

UA Little Rock debuted its online Master of Social Work in 2016 to groom students for leadership roles within the Arkansas social welfare system. Candidates can complete the program, with the exception of internships, entirely online.

Emphasizing clinical social work practice, the degree features two concentrations: advanced direct practice working with individuals or groups at clinics, hospitals, prisons, or schools; and management and community practice, where practitioners may work as policy analysts, grant writers, lobbyists, or program directors.

The U.S. Department of Labor projects that employment of social workers will grow 12 percent between 2014 and 2024, due to an increased need for healthcare and social services.

To see the rankings, visit http://www.affordablecolleges.com/rankings/affordable-online-msw-programs/.