Best Colleges for Social Work 2026
20 schools ranked by graduate earnings, real data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Top 20 Social Work Programs by Graduate Earnings
| # | School | Earnings | Tuition | Accept Rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York University New York, NY | $64,289 | $60,438 | 9% | 29,430 |
| 2 | University of Nevada-Reno Reno, NV | $63,320 | $25,950 | 85% | 15,723 |
| 3 | La Sierra University Riverside, CA | $60,961 | $35,910 | 93% | 1,155 |
| 4 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA | $60,405 | $45,627 | 12% | 33,073 |
| 5 | California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA | $59,826 | $18,888 | 47% | 34,131 |
| 6 | CUNY York College Jamaica, NY | $58,778 | $15,308 | 59% | 4,439 |
| 7 | Simmons University Boston, MA | $58,336 | $45,538 | 66% | 1,750 |
| 8 | Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX | $57,255 | $57,220 | 43% | 10,919 |
| 9 | College of Staten Island CUNY Staten Island, NY | $56,620 | $15,440 | N/A | 9,387 |
| 10 | San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA | $56,474 | $19,304 | 96% | 20,033 |
| 11 | St Catherine University Saint Paul, MN | $55,686 | $49,758 | 94% | 2,393 |
| 12 | University of Nevada-Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV | $55,652 | $26,098 | 96% | 24,131 |
| 13 | California State University-San Bernardino San Bernardino, CA | $54,364 | $19,555 | 98% | 15,771 |
| 14 | University at Albany Albany, NY | $54,302 | $28,998 | 70% | 12,100 |
| 15 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA | $53,568 | $41,997 | 43% | 31,588 |
| 16 | University of Washington-Tacoma Campus Tacoma, WA | $53,568 | $42,171 | 83% | 3,989 |
| 17 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL | $53,310 | $34,501 | 44% | 34,623 |
| 18 | Ramapo College of New Jersey Mahwah, NJ | $52,763 | $26,388 | 73% | 4,664 |
| 19 | University of Maryland-Baltimore County Baltimore, MD | $52,571 | $30,308 | 74% | 10,434 |
| 20 | Clark Atlanta University Atlanta, GA | $52,521 | $26,446 | 65% | 3,482 |
Social Work is a field of study that develops specialized knowledge and skills applicable across a range of professional settings. Undergraduate programs typically combine foundational coursework with applied projects, laboratory work, or research experiences designed to prepare graduates for entry-level careers or advanced study.
Graduates are well-positioned for careers across multiple industries. Career paths and earning potential vary depending on the specific concentration, graduate degree attainment, and employer. The rankings below are based on actual graduate earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, which tracks median earnings for graduates of each school-major combination.
When evaluating Social Work programs, consider accreditation status, research and internship opportunities, faculty expertise, and the school's alumni network in your target career field. The earnings data on this page provides an objective, evidence-based signal to help you compare programs by real-world financial outcomes.
Earnings shown are median graduate earnings 4 years after graduation (or 1 year if 4-year data is unavailable), sourced from the College Scorecard.See full major data
Explore All Social Work Programs
See earnings data for all 338 schools offering Social Work, including debt figures and graduate counts.
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Compare SchoolsFrequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in a Social Work program?
Look for programs with relevant accreditation, strong research or internship opportunities, experienced faculty with industry connections, and alumni networks in the careers you want to pursue. Hands-on learning experiences and career placement rates are also important indicators of program quality.
What careers can I pursue with a Social Work degree?
A Social Work degree prepares graduates for a range of careers depending on the specific concentration and any graduate study pursued. Review the program's placement data and alumni outcomes to understand where graduates from a specific school tend to land after graduation.
How much do Social Work graduates earn?
Earnings for Social Work graduates vary by school, specialization, and career path. The rankings on this page reflect verified median graduate earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, giving you a school-level view of real financial outcomes for this major.