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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Social Work in Tennessee

19 Ranked Colleges
$26,200 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Tennessee

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Tennessee” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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 Tennessee, there were 1,272 social work graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,462 and $28,859 respectively.

For this year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Tennessee” ranking, we looked at 19 colleges that offer a degree in social work. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their social work program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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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 Tennessee”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Tennessee

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

Top 19 Most Focused Colleges for Social Work in Tennessee

1
Union crest
Union University
Jackson, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Union University. The school came in at #1 for the Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Tennessee. Union University is located in Jackson, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 102 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 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. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Union Social Work Report

2
Southern Adventist crest
Southern Adventist University
Collegedale, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Southern Adventist University. The school came in at #2 for the Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Tennessee. Southern Adventist University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Collegedale, Tennessee. It awarded 40 ’s social work degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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 full report on Social Work at Southern Adventist University

3
Le Moyne - Owen College crest
Le Moyne - Owen College
Memphis, Tennessee

Out of the 19 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, Le Moyne - Owen College landed the #3 spot on the list. This small school is located in Memphis, Tennessee, and it awarded 8 ’s social work degrees in 2021-2022.

Read more about Social Work at Le Moyne - Owen College

4
King crest
King University
Bristol, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend King University. The school came in at #4 for the Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Tennessee. King University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bristol, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 43 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at King University

5

Out of the 19 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Tennessee - Knoxville landed the #5 spot on the list. UT Knoxville is located in Knoxville, Tennessee and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 424 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

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 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%.

Read full report on Social Work at UT Knoxville

6

The University of Tennessee - Martin did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Tennessee ranking, coming in at #6. UT Martin is located in Martin, Tennessee and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 32 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Work at UT Martin

7
ETSU crest
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, Tennessee

East Tennessee State University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Tennessee ranking. East Tennessee State University is a fairly large school located in Johnson City, Tennessee that handed out 134 ’s social work degrees 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%.

Full ETSU Social Work Report

8
FHU crest
Freed-Hardeman University
Henderson, Tennessee

Freed-Hardeman University ranked #8 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Tennessee list. FHU is located in Henderson, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 13 ’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%. 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%.

Read more about Social Work at FHU

9
UofM crest
University of Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee

University of Memphis came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Tennessee ranking. This large school is located in Memphis, Tennessee, and it awarded 136 ’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%.

Full UofM Social Work Report

10
Austin Peay State University crest
Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, Tennessee

Austin Peay State University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Tennessee ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Clarksville, Tennessee, and it awarded 73 ’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%.

Read more about Social Work at Austin Peay State University

11
Tennessee State University crest
Tennessee State University
Nashville, Tennessee

Tennessee State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Tennessee ranking. Tennessee State University is located in Nashville, Tennessee and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 38 ’s social work degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Work at Tennessee State University

12

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga ranked #12 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Tennessee list. The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga is a fairly large school located in Chattanooga, Tennessee that handed out 62 ’s social work degrees in 2021-2022.

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 more about Social Work at UT Chattanooga

13
Milligan crest
Milligan University
Milligan, Tennessee

Milligan University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Tennessee ranking. This small school is located in Milligan, Tennessee, and it awarded 2 ’s social work degrees in 2021-2022.

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 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%.

Read full report on Social Work at Milligan

14
Middle Tennessee State University crest
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Middle Tennessee State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Tennessee ranking. This large school is located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and it awarded 101 ’s social work degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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%.

Full Middle Tennessee State University Social Work Report

15
TNU crest
Trevecca Nazarene University
Nashville, Tennessee

With a ranking of #15, Trevecca Nazarene University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Tennessee list. Trevecca Nazarene University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 14 ’s social work degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Trevecca Nazarene University Social Work Report

16
Lipscomb crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, Tennessee

Lipscomb University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Tennessee ranking, coming in at #16. Lipscomb University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read more about Social Work at Lipscomb

17
Belmont crest
Belmont University
Nashville, Tennessee

Belmont University ranked #17 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Tennessee list. This medium-sized school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 26 ’s social work degrees in 2021-2022.

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 Belmont Social Work Report

18
LMU crest
Lincoln Memorial University
Harrogate, Tennessee

Lincoln Memorial University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Tennessee ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Harrogate, Tennessee, and it awarded 5 ’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%. 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.

Full LMU Social Work Report

19

With a ranking of #19, Tennessee Wesleyan University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Work Major in Tennessee list. Tennessee Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Athens, Tennessee. It awarded 9 ’s social work degrees 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%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Social Work at TWU

Notes and References

References

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