2027 Best Social Work Schools in New York
Social Work is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 33 schools to find the best for social work students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Social Work in New York
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.
Top Schools in Social Work
Columbia University In The City Of New York tops our 2027 ranking of the best social work schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 625 social work students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York 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. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans.
Read more about the social work program at Columbia University In The City Of New York
Students looking for a strong social work program will find one at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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.
More information about a degree in social work from Cuny Hunter College
New York University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in social work, ranking #3. 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. About 379 social work degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from New York University generally make around $68,944. New York University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in social work from New York University
Fordham University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #4 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bronx. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Fordham University awarded about 564 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $56,761 in their early career. Fordham University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Read more about the social work program at Fordham University
Yeshiva University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #5 spot this year. Yeshiva University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 502 social work students who graduated with this degree at Yeshiva University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Yeshiva University generally make around $55,878. Yeshiva University graduates carry a median of $20,625 in student loans.
Read more about the social work program at Yeshiva University
Syracuse University placed #6 among the best social work schools. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Syracuse University graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 178 social work students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $53,346 in their early career. Syracuse University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Read more about the social work program at Syracuse University
Marist College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best social work schools. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 social work degrees were awarded at Marist College in the most recent year. Social Work graduates of Marist College earn a median of $60,521 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,251.
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Stony Brook University landed the #8 spot for social work this year. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. Stony Brook University awarded about 296 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $51,751. Stony Brook University graduates carry a median of $23,981 in student loans.
Read more about the social work program at Stony Brook University
Skidmore College landed the #9 spot for social work this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Skidmore College awarded about 20 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $34,440 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,274.
Read more about the social work program at Skidmore College
Suny At Albany placed #10 among the best social work schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Albany. Suny At Albany graduates 61% of students within six years. About 166 social work degrees were awarded at Suny At Albany in the most recent year. Graduates of the social work program make about $43,129 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000.
See the full social work program report for Suny At Albany
Cuny Lehman College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best social work schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Cuny Lehman College graduates 51% of students within six years. There were roughly 214 social work students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Lehman College in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $52,676 early in their careers. Cuny Lehman College graduates carry a median of $12,690 in student loans.
See the full social work program report for Cuny Lehman College
Adelphi University came in at #12 for social work this year. Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Garden City. Adelphi University graduates 67% of students within six years. About 201 social work degrees were awarded at Adelphi University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Adelphi University generally make around $55,681. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the social work program at Adelphi University
Siena College came in at #13 for social work this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Loudonville. Siena College graduates 75% of students within six years. Siena College awarded about 20 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $44,535 in their early career. Siena College graduates carry a median of $26,899 in student loans.
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University At Buffalo came in at #14 for social work this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University At Buffalo awarded about 232 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $50,711 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete this degree.
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Niagara University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best social work schools. Niagara University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Niagara University. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 social work students who graduated with this degree at Niagara University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $51,918 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,208.
Read more about the social work program at Niagara University
Cuny Graduate School And University Center came in at #16 for social work this year. This large public university is located in the city of New York. There were roughly 54 social work students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Cuny Graduate School And University Center generally make around $72,222. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete this degree.
See the full social work program report for Cuny Graduate School And University Center
Suny At Binghamton landed the #17 spot for social work this year. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 140 social work students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Binghamton in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from Suny At Binghamton earn around $52,793 in the first couple years of their career. Suny At Binghamton graduates carry a median of $20,691 in student loans.
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Suny College At Brockport earned the #18 position for social work this year. Located in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public university. Suny College At Brockport graduates 55% of students within six years. There were roughly 131 social work students who graduated with this degree at Suny College At Brockport in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Suny College At Brockport generally make around $44,947. Suny College At Brockport graduates carry a median of $23,354 in student loans.
More information about a degree in social work from Suny College At Brockport
Mercy College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best social work schools. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. Mercy College awarded about 19 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Mercy College generally make around $39,373. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the social work program at Mercy College
Suny College At Plattsburgh came in at #20 for social work this year. Located in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Suny College At Plattsburgh awarded about 72 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from Suny College At Plattsburgh earn around $24,676 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,990.
See the full social work program report for Suny College At Plattsburgh
Touro College placed #21 among the best social work schools. Touro College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 121 social work students who graduated with this degree at Touro College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Touro College generally make around $58,117. Typical student debt for the program is $20,285.
More information about a degree in social work from Touro College
Cuny Medgar Evers College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best social work schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public university. About 20% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 40 social work students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Medgar Evers College in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $44,311 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,096 to complete this degree.
See the full social work program report for Cuny Medgar Evers College
Iona College earned the #23 position for social work this year. Located in the suburb of New Rochelle, Iona College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 56% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 social work students who graduated with this degree at Iona College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Iona College generally make around $51,530. Students borrow a median of $25,749 to complete this degree.
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Suny College At Buffalo placed #24 among the best social work schools. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. About 33% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 38 social work students who graduated with this degree at Suny College At Buffalo in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $39,695 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,312.
More information about a degree in social work from Suny College At Buffalo
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #25 for social work this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 61 social work students who graduated with this degree at Cuny College Of Staten Island in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $45,172 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete this degree.
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Rest of the Top 33 Social Work Schools
These schools also placed among the best for social work this year:
More Social Work Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 33 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.