Social Work is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 864 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for social work students pursuing a degree.
The school you choose for social work can shape your career. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Social Work rankings. For our Best Overall Social Work School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Social Work Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the social work degrees they offer, see the list below.
University Of Pennsylvania is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in social work. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 192 social work students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $74,896 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,155.
More information about a degree in social work from University Of Pennsylvania
A rank of #2 makes University Of Maryland Baltimore one of the top schools for social work. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Baltimore. About 326 social work degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland Baltimore in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore generally make around $59,340. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong social work program will find one at California State University Long Beach, which ranked #3. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 284 social work students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $54,899 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,276 to complete this degree.
Read more about the social work program at California State University Long Beach
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 106 social work degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Social Work graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $65,106 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,097.
See the full social work program report for University Of California Los Angeles
University Of California Berkeley is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in social work, ranking #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 152 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $58,587. Students borrow a median of $13,719 to complete this degree.
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University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates 83% of students within six years. About 37 social work degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,543. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates carry a median of $25,234 in student loans.
See the full social work program report for University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Boston University placed #7 among the best social work schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. Boston University graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 354 social work students who graduated with this degree at Boston University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from Boston University earn around $57,991 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete this degree.
See the full social work program report for Boston University
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #8 for social work this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 562 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $59,891 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree.
Get the full social work details for Columbia University In The City Of New York
Boston College came in at #9 for social work this year. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Boston College awarded about 278 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $56,920 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,101.
See the full social work program report for Boston College
University Of Southern California landed the #10 spot for social work this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 623 social work degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Social Work graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $78,196 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625.
More information about a degree in social work from University Of Southern California
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 417 social work students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $52,424 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,137.
See the full social work program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #12 spot for social work this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 116 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $51,333. Students borrow a median of $17,396 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in social work from University Of Washington Seattle Campus
California State University Sacramento ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. About 252 social work degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Social Work graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $51,629 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in social work from California State University Sacramento
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earned the #14 position for social work this year. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. About 66% of students finish within six years. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota awarded about 102 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn around $69,785 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,081 to complete this degree.
Get the full social work details for Saint Marys University Of Minnesota
San Jose State University came in at #15 for social work this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 243 social work students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in social work from San Jose State University
California State University Fullerton came in at #16 for social work this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 105 social work degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Social Work graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $64,167 early in their careers. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans.
More information about a degree in social work from California State University Fullerton
New York University came in at #17 for social work this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 501 social work students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from New York University generally make around $68,944. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
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Cuny Hunter College earned the #18 position for social work this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 630 social work degrees were awarded at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent year. Social Work graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,407 early in their careers. Cuny Hunter College graduates carry a median of $9,608 in student loans.
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San Francisco State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 69 social work degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Social Work graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $70,887 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,259.
More information about a degree in social work from San Francisco State University
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #20 for social work this year. This very large public university is located in the city of New Brunswick. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 775 social work students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $67,673. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
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San Diego State University landed the #21 spot for social work this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 156 social work students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $49,447 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,176.
Read more about the social work program at San Diego State University
University Of Wisconsin Stout placed #22 among the best social work schools. Set in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. There were roughly 27 social work students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Stout in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from University Of Wisconsin Stout earn around $54,235 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,821.
More information about a degree in social work from University Of Wisconsin Stout
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #23 among the best social work schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 107 social work students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $56,823. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete this degree.
See the full social work program report for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #24 position for social work this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 258 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $43,709 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,344.
Get the full social work details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Washington University In St Louis ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Washington University In St Louis awarded about 147 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $50,855 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete this degree.
See the full social work program report for Washington University In St Louis
Rest of the Top 50 Social Work Schools
These schools also placed among the best for social work this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 864 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
