2025 Best Social Work Schools in California
20
Colleges in California
4,575
Social Work Degrees Awarded
Ranked #9 in popularity,
social work is one of the most sought-after degree programs in the nation. This means there are lots of options to choose from when you decide to get your degree.
In 2025, College Factual analyzed 20 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Social Work Schools in California ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 4,575 degrees in social work annually.
What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings
Choosing a Great Social Work School
The social work program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Social Work rankings. We derive our Best Overall Social Work School rankings by rolling up our degree-level rankings after weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each school.
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.
Pick Your Social Work Degree Level
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Social Work Schools in California ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
If you'd like to restrict your choices to just one part of the country, you can filter this list by location.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat.
Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
If you want to learn more about how we derive our rankings, see College Factual's Methodology.
Best Schools for Social Work in California
If you aren't 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.
10 Top California Schools in Social Work
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In CA
786
Social Work Degrees Awarded
Any student who is interested in social work needs to look into University of Southern California. Located in the city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #13 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means USC is a great university overall.
There were about 786 social work students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in social work from University of Southern California
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
11th
Most Popular In CA
199
Social Work Degrees Awarded
University of California - Berkeley is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in social work. Located in the midsize city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UC Berkeley is a great university overall.
There were roughly 199 social work students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in social work from University of California - Berkeley
Bachelors
Degree Type
BA in Human Services - Child & Family Services
Program Name
Gain the fundamental tools required to improve the lives of children and families in crisis with this specialized online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
More information about a degree in BA in Human Services - Child & Family Services from Southern New Hampshire UniversityRelated Programs
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
8th
Most Popular In CA
214
Social Work Degrees Awarded
San Diego State University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in social work. Located in the city of San Diego, SDSU is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #185 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means SDSU is a great university overall.
There were about 214 social work students who graduated with this degree at SDSU in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in social work from San Diego State University
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
4th
Most Popular In CA
345
Social Work Degrees Awarded
It's difficult to beat California State University - Long Beach if you wish to pursue a degree in social work. Located in the city of Long Beach, CSULB is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #246 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means CSULB is a great university overall.
There were approximately 345 social work students who graduated with this degree at CSULB in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in social work from California State University - Long Beach
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
2nd
Most Popular In CA
290
Social Work Degrees Awarded
Sac State is a fairly large public university located in the city of Sacramento. A Best Colleges rank of #267 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Sac State is a great university overall.
There were roughly 290 social work students who graduated with this degree at Sac State in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in social work from California State University - Sacramento
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
12th
Most Popular In CA
165
Social Work Degrees Awarded
CSUSB is a large public university located in the city of San Bernardino. This university ranks 82nd out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.
There were roughly 165 social work students who graduated with this degree at CSUSB in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in social work from California State University - San Bernardino
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
3rd
Most Popular In CA
367
Social Work Degrees Awarded
Located in the city of Los Angeles, Cal State LA is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 87th out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.
There were approximately 367 social work students who graduated with this degree at Cal State LA in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in social work from California State University - Los Angeles
Bachelors
Degree Type
BA in Human Services
Program Name
Improve the lives of individuals, families and communities with the human service tools gained from this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
More information about a degree in BA in Human Services from Southern New Hampshire UniversityRelated Programs
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
16th
Most Popular In CA
126
Social Work Degrees Awarded
Cal Baptist is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Riverside. This university ranks 66th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.
There were roughly 126 social work students who graduated with this degree at Cal Baptist in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in social work from California Baptist University
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
13th
Most Popular In CA
136
Social Work Degrees Awarded
CSUN is a very large public university located in the large city of Northridge. A Best Colleges rank of #350 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means CSUN is a great university overall.
There were roughly 136 social work students who graduated with this degree at CSUN in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in social work from California State University - Northridge
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
17th
Most Popular In CA
108
Social Work Degrees Awarded
Cal State Fullerton is a very large public university located in the large suburb of Fullerton. A Best Colleges rank of #271 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Cal State Fullerton is a great university overall.
There were about 108 social work students who graduated with this degree at Cal State Fullerton in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in social work from California State University - Fullerton
