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2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Illinois

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Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Illinois

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Illinois” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2021-2022, 58,923 people earned their degree in social work, making the major the 13th most popular in the United States. In , social work graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $37,585 and had an average of $29,565 in loans still to pay off.

Across Illinois, there were 2,756 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,233 and $32,228 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Illinois” ranking analyzed 42 colleges that offered a degree in social work. That schools that top this list have a program in social work in which the largest percentage of students at the school are enrolled.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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The social work school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Illinois”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Illinois

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Illinois”.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Social Work in Illinois

1
Aurora crest
Aurora University
Aurora, Illinois

Out of the 42 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Aurora University landed the #1 spot on the list. Aurora is located in Aurora, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 766 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at Aurora

2
The Erikson Institute crest
Erikson Institute
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Erikson Institute. The school came in at #2 for the Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Illinois. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social work degrees to 21 students in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at The Erikson Institute

3
St. Augustine College crest
Saint Augustine College
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Saint Augustine College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Illinois list. Saint Augustine College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 20 ’s social work degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Social Work at Saint Augustine College

4

Out of the 42 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Northeastern Illinois University landed the #4 spot on the list. Northeastern Illinois University is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 159 ’s social work degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Northeastern Illinois University Social Work Report

5
Dominican U crest
Dominican University
River Forest, Illinois

Out of the 42 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Dominican University landed the #5 spot on the list. Dominican U is located in River Forest, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 98 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Dominican U Social Work Report

6
GSU crest
Governors State University
University Park, Illinois

Governors State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Illinois ranking. Located in University Park, Illinois, this small public school awarded 56 diplomas to qualified ’s social work students in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at Governors State University

7
Loyola Chicago crest
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #7. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 346 ’s social work degrees in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Loyola University Chicago Social Work Report

8
Trinity Christian crest
Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, Illinois

Trinity Christian College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Illinois ranking. Trinity Christian College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Palos Heights, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Social Work at Trinity Christian College

9
CSU crest
Chicago State University
Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #9, Chicago State University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Illinois list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small public school handed out 16 degrees to qualified ’s social work students in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Work at Chicago State University

10

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Illinois ranking. This fairly large school is located in Carbondale, Illinois, and it awarded 90 ’s social work degrees in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Work at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

11
Wabash Valley College crest
Wabash Valley College
Mount Carmel, Illinois

Wabash Valley College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #11. This small school is located in Mount Carmel, Illinois, and it awarded 4 ’s social work degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Wabash Valley College Social Work Report

12

University of Illinois at Chicago came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Illinois ranking. University of Illinois at Chicago is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 229 ’s social work degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at University of Illinois at Chicago

13
University of Saint Francis crest
University of St Francis
Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Illinois ranking. University of Saint Francis is located in Joliet, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 24 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of St Francis Social Work Report

14
Olivet Nazarene crest
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Illinois ranking. This small school is located in Bourbonnais, Illinois, and it awarded 23 ’s social work degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at Olivet Nazarene University

15
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #15, University of Chicago did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Illinois list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social work degrees to 200 students in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 99%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at University of Chicago

16
Greenville crest
Greenville University
Greenville, Illinois

Greenville University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Illinois ranking. Greenville is located in Greenville, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 10 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Work at Greenville

17
Lewis crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, Illinois

Lewis University ranked #17 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Illinois list. This medium-sized school is located in Romeoville, Illinois, and it awarded 54 ’s social work degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Work at Lewis

18
Methodist College crest
Methodist College
Peoria, Illinois

Methodist College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #18. Methodist College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Peoria, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Social Work at Methodist College

19

With a ranking of #19, Western Illinois University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Illinois list. Located in Macomb, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 22 diplomas to qualified ’s social work students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at Western Illinois University

20

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Illinois ranking. Located in Edwardsville, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 69 degrees to qualified ’s social work students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at SIUE

21

University of Illinois at Springfield landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Illinois ranking. Springfield, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social work degrees to 18 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Illinois at Springfield Social Work Report

22
Bradley crest
Bradley University
Peoria, Illinois

With a ranking of #22, Bradley University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Illinois list. Bradley University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Peoria, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 22 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Social Work at Bradley

23

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Illinois ranking. UIUC is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 251 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UIUC Social Work Report

24

Illinois State University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Illinois ranking. This large school is located in Normal, Illinois, and it awarded 78 ’s social work degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Illinois State Social Work Report

25
Millikin crest
Millikin University
Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #25. Millikin is a private not-for-profit institution located in Decatur, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Social Work at Millikin

Notes and References

References

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