2026 Best Colleges for Social Work

We rigorously analyzed a host of variables to determine what colleges and universities offer the best Social Work programs in America. The list includes 566 programs and you can sort by average salary, debt, acceptance rate and more to hone in on the the best programs for you.

If you’re still wondering whether Social Work is the right field of study for you, check out our guide to majoring in Social Work: what you can do with the major, how much you’ll make, and more.

For the purposes of these rankings we prioritized earnings after graduation 6 years and 10 years out for students that majored in Social Work. Please note that earnings are one metric of success that can be used to judge a Social Work program, but are by no means the best or only option. However, because this variable is provided by the vast majority of universities offering Social Work we used it as the primary method or ordering the best universities for Social Work.

By scrolling all the way through the list you’ll find every college or university that offers a Social Work in America.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Universities offering Social Work Majors and Degrees

What is the best university for majoring in Social Work?

San Francisco State University is the best university for majoring in Social Work based on earnings data. On average, graduates from San Francisco State University earned an average of $45,852 2 years after graduating.

What is the cheapest university for majoring in Social Work?

Brigham Young University-Idaho is the cheapest university for majoring in Social Work based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $3,830 to attend Brigham Young University-Idaho.

What is the most expensive university for majoring in Social Work?

University of Chicago is the most expensive university for majoring in Social Work based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $51,351 to attend University of Chicago.