Social Work degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 570 schools to find the best for social work students.
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. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Social Work Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
Leading the list is University Of California Berkeley, our #1 school for social work. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 192 social work students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $58,587 early in their careers. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $13,719 in student loans.
More information about a degree in social work from University Of California Berkeley
University Of Pennsylvania is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 209 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $74,896 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete this degree.
See the full social work program report for University Of Pennsylvania
California State University Long Beach came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best social work schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. About 317 social work degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent 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.
More information about a degree in social work from California State University Long Beach
University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 50 social work degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent year. Social Work graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,666 early in their careers. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates carry a median of $25,195 in student loans.
Get the full social work details for University Of Massachusetts Amherst
University Of California Los Angeles is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 115 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 Maryland Baltimore earned the #6 position for social work this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 282 social work students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland Baltimore in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore generally make around $59,340. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
Read more about the social work program at University Of Maryland Baltimore
Boston University landed the #7 spot for social work this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 352 social work degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $57,991. Boston University graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans.
Read more about the social work program at Boston University
San Diego State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best social work schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 220 social work degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their social work degree from San Diego State University earn around $49,447 in the first couple years of their career. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $15,176 in student loans.
More information about a degree in social work from San Diego State University
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #9 among the best social work schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 625 social work degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $59,891. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree.
Read more about the social work program at Columbia University In The City Of New York
Boston College landed the #10 spot for social work this year. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Boston College graduates 91% of students within six years. Boston College awarded about 251 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Boston College earn a median of $56,920 early in their careers. Boston College graduates carry a median of $18,101 in student loans.
See the full social work program report for Boston College
San Jose State University came in at #11 for social work this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 287 social work students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year.
Get the full social work details for San Jose State University
University Of Southern California earned the #12 position 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. About 92% of students finish within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 490 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $78,196 early in their careers. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans.
More information about a degree in social work from University Of Southern California
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #13 spot for social work this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 507 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $52,424 early in their careers. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans.
See the full social work program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #14 for social work this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 108 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn around $56,823 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,577.
Get the full social work details for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
San Francisco State University came in at #15 for social work this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. San Francisco State University graduates 50% of students within six years. About 91 social work degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their social work degree from San Francisco State University earn around $70,887 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,259 to complete this degree.
Read more about the social work program at San Francisco State University
California State University Sacramento came in at #16 for social work this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. About 233 social work degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Graduates of the social work program make about $51,629 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the social work program at California State University Sacramento
Cuny Hunter College landed the #17 spot for social work this year. This very large public university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 643 social work students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,407 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,608 to complete this degree.
See the full social work program report for Cuny Hunter College
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota landed the #18 spot for social work this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Winona. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 108 social work degrees were awarded at Saint Marys University Of Minnesota in the most recent year. Graduates of the social work program make about $69,785 in their early career. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota graduates carry a median of $27,081 in student loans.
More information about a degree in social work from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #19 spot for social work this year. This very large public university is located in the city of New Brunswick. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 765 social work degrees were awarded at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $67,673. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Read more about the social work program at Rutgers University New Brunswick
California State University Fullerton placed #20 among the best social work schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 126 social work students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $64,167 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in social work from California State University Fullerton
New York University earned the #21 position for social work this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 88% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 379 social work students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $68,944 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the social work program at New York University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best social work schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 86 social work degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Social Work graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $51,333 early in their careers. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $17,396 in student loans.
See the full social work program report for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best social work schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 158 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $49,662 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,117.
Read more about the social work program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
California State University Los Angeles placed #24 among the best social work schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 365 social work students who graduated with this degree at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $51,173 in their early career. California State University Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans.
Read more about the social work program at California State University Los Angeles
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #25 position for social work this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 257 social work students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $43,709 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,344.
Read more about the social work program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Rest of the Top 50 Social Work Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s social work ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 570 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).
