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2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major

322 Ranked Colleges
32,218 Degrees Awarded
$44,665 Avg Salary
Schools for a Master's Highly Focused on Social Work Major

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Social Work is the 13th most popular major in the country with 58,326 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, social work graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $37,651 and had an average of $26,679 in loans still to pay off.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 32,218 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $58,425 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major” ranking looked at 322 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in social work. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in social work.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Social Work Schools

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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 for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major”.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major”.

Top 25 Most Focused Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Work

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Our Lady of the Lake University. The school came in at #1 for the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major. San Antonio, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 309 students in 2020-2021.

Full OLLU Social Work Report

2
The Erikson Institute crest
Erikson Institute
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Erikson Institute. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major list. Erikson Institute is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 39 masters’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. 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 more about Social Work at The Erikson Institute

3
Simmons crest
Simmons University
Boston, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Simmons University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major list. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 551 students in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 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 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Work at Simmons

4
Aurora crest
Aurora University
Aurora, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Aurora University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major list. Aurora is a private not-for-profit institution located in Aurora, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 478 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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%.

Read more about Social Work at Aurora

5
Brescia University crest
Brescia University
Owensboro, Kentucky

Out of the 322 schools in the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Brescia University landed the #5 spot on the list. Owensboro, Kentucky is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 41 students in 2020-2021.

Full Brescia University Social Work Report

6
Western New Mexico University crest
Western New Mexico University
Silver City, New Mexico

Western New Mexico University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Silver City, New Mexico, this small public school handed out 138 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Social Work at Western New Mexico University

7
Fordham U crest
Fordham University
Bronx, New York

Fordham University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major ranking. This fairly large school is located in Bronx, New York, and it awarded 1,036 masters’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Fordham University Social Work Report

8
SUNO crest
Southern University at New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana

With a ranking of #8, Southern University at New Orleans did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major list. Located in New Orleans, Louisiana, this small public school handed out 64 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2020-2021.

Full Southern University at New Orleans Social Work Report

9
Walla Walla U crest
Walla Walla University
College Place, Washington

Walla Walla University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major ranking. Walla Walla U is a private not-for-profit institution located in College Place, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 82 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at Walla Walla University

10

University of Maryland - Baltimore did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, this medium-sized public school handed out 411 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 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 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UMB Social Work Report

11
Widener crest
Widener University
Chester, Pennsylvania

Widener University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major ranking. Located in Chester, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 263 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Widener University Social Work Report

12
JCSU crest
Johnson C Smith University
Charlotte, North Carolina

Johnson C Smith University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major ranking. Johnson C Smith University is located in Charlotte, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 40 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

Full JCSU Social Work Report

13
Bryn Mawr crest
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania

Bryn Mawr College landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major ranking. Located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 65 degrees to qualified masters’s social work students in 2020-2021.

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%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read full report on Social Work at Bryn Mawr College

14
Edinboro crest
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Edinboro, Pennsylvania

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major ranking. Edinboro is a small school located in Edinboro, Pennsylvania that handed out 166 masters’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Social Work at Edinboro

15
Smith crest
Smith College
Northampton, Massachusetts

Smith College landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major ranking. Smith is located in Northampton, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 121 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% 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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Social Work at Smith College

16
Spring Arbor crest
Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor, Michigan

Spring Arbor University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major ranking. Spring Arbor University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Spring Arbor, Michigan. The school has a small population, and it awarded 126 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 Spring Arbor University Social Work Report

17
Concord University crest
Concord University
Athens, West Virginia

Concord University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major ranking. Located in Athens, West Virginia, this small public school awarded 53 degrees to qualified masters’s social work students in 2020-2021.

Full Concord University Social Work Report

18
Springfield College crest
Springfield College
Springfield, Massachusetts

Springfield College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major ranking. Springfield College is located in Springfield, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 100 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Social Work at Springfield College

19
Yeshiva crest
Yeshiva University
New York, New York

Yeshiva University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major ranking, coming in at #19. Located in New York, New York, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 231 degrees to qualified masters’s social work students in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Full Yeshiva Social Work Report

20
UNE crest
University of New England
Biddeford, Maine

University of New England did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major ranking, coming in at #20. University of New England is located in Biddeford, Maine and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 170 masters’s social work degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 New England

21
Hunter crest
Hunter College
New York, New York

With a ranking of #21, Hunter College did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major list. New York, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 622 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Hunter Social Work Report

22
AAMU crest
Alabama A & M University
Normal, Alabama

Alabama A & M University ranked #22 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major list. Alabama A & M University is a medium-sized school located in Normal, Alabama that handed out 84 masters’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Social Work at Alabama A & M University

23
DU crest
University of Denver
Denver, Colorado

University of Denver landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major ranking. Denver, Colorado is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s social work degrees to 500 students in 2020-2021.

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 University of Denver

24
Marywood crest
Marywood University
Scranton, Pennsylvania

Marywood University ranked #24 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major list. This small school is located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 74 masters’s social work degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Work at Marywood

25
Clarke crest
Clarke University
Dubuque, Iowa

Clarke University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major ranking. Located in Dubuque, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 23 diplomas to qualified masters’s social work students in 2020-2021.

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. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Work at Clarke

Rest of the Best 49 in Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Social Work Major

Not only did these schools make the top 49 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
Augsburg crest
Augsburg University
Minneapolis, Minnesota
28
29
Dominican U crest
Dominican University
River Forest, Illinois
30
Salisbury crest
Salisbury University
Salisbury, Maryland
31
Adelphi crest
Adelphi University
Garden City, New York
32
USJ crest
University of Saint Joseph
West Hartford, Connecticut
33
Union crest
Union University
Jackson, Tennessee
34
CUA crest
Catholic University of America
Washington, District of Columbia
35
Nazareth crest
Nazareth College
Rochester, New York
36
Louisiana College crest
Louisiana College
Pineville, Louisiana
37
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, Minnesota
38
Newman University crest
Newman University
Wichita, Kansas
39
CAU crest
Clark Atlanta University
Atlanta, Georgia
40
Salem State crest
Salem State University
Salem, Massachusetts
41
Monmouth crest
Monmouth University
West Long Branch, New Jersey
42
Westfield crest
Westfield State University
Westfield, Massachusetts
43
Barry University crest
Barry University
Miami, Florida
44
Campbellsville University crest
Campbellsville University
Campbellsville, Kentucky
45
Roberts Wesleyan crest
Roberts Wesleyan College
Rochester, New York
46
Morgan State crest
Morgan State University
Baltimore, Maryland
47
Southern Adventist crest
Southern Adventist University
Collegedale, Tennessee
48
Norfolk State crest
Norfolk State University
Norfolk, Virginia
49
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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