2026 Best Social Work Schools in Virginia
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.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for social work students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Social Work in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall social work education in Virginia.
Top Schools in Social Work
James Madison University tops our 2026 ranking of the best social work schools. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 48 social work students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from James Madison University earn around $31,687 in the first couple years of their career. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $18,989 in student loans.
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George Mason University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 183 social work students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $50,675. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $24,188 in student loans.
Read more about the social work program at George Mason University
A rank of #3 makes Christopher Newport University one of the top schools for social work. Located in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 18 social work students who graduated with this degree at Christopher Newport University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $41,656 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,492 to complete this degree.
Read more about the social work program at Christopher Newport University
Virginia Commonwealth University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in social work, ranking #4. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 454 social work degrees were awarded at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $42,898. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
More information about a degree in social work from Virginia Commonwealth University
Liberty University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 244 social work students who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $38,828 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,000.
More information about a degree in social work from Liberty University
Longwood University placed #6 among the best social work schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Farmville. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. Longwood University awarded about 27 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Longwood University earn a median of $41,160 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,419 to complete this degree.
See the full social work program report for Longwood University
Radford University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Radford. About 49% of students finish within six years. Radford University awarded about 49 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $44,071. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in social work from Radford University
Mary Baldwin College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. Located in the city of Staunton, Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. About 21 social work degrees were awarded at Mary Baldwin College in the most recent year. Graduates of the social work program make about $37,537 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $33,375 to complete this degree.
Get the full social work details for Mary Baldwin College
Norfolk State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Norfolk. Norfolk State University graduates 39% of students within six years. There were roughly 82 social work students who graduated with this degree at Norfolk State University in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Norfolk State University earn a median of $53,070 early in their careers.
Get the full social work details for Norfolk State University
Virginia State University came in at #10 for social work this year. Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Petersburg. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 social work students who graduated with this degree at Virginia State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Virginia State University generally make around $28,527. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000.
More information about a degree in social work from Virginia State University
More Social Work Rankings
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Notes and References
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 · 15 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.
