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2024 Best Social Work Bachelor's Degree Schools

367 Colleges in the United States
22,221 Bachelor's Degrees
$31,612 Avg Early-Career Salary
Social Work is of the hottest bachelor's degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #24 most popular major in the country. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.

In 2024, College Factual analyzed 367 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Social Work Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 22,221 bachelor's degrees in social work to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Our Methodology

Choosing a Great Social Work School for Your Bachelor's Degree

Best Social Work Bachelor's Degree Schools Your choice of social work for getting your bachelor's degree school matters. Important measures of a quality social work program can vary widely even among the top schools. When choosing a school we recommend considering some of the following factors:

Quality Overall Is Important

The overall quality of a bachelor's degree school is important to ensure a good education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To account for this we include a college's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a combination of different factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.

Average Earnings

To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving their bachelor's degree from the school. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue their bachelor's degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.

Other Factors We Consider

The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.

Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for social work students working on their bachelor's degree.

More Ways to Rank Social Work Schools

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Social Work Rankings Other Ranking Categories

When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Social Work Bachelor's Degree Schools list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.


 

Best Schools for Bachelor’s Students to Study Social Work in the United States

Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's degree in social work. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools for a Bachelor's in Social Work

1
79 Annual Graduates
$42,882 Median Starting Salary
$13,719 Median Student Debt

University of California - Berkeley is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a bachelor's degree in social work. Located in the medium-sized city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Those social work students who get their bachelor's degree from University of California - Berkeley receive $11,270 more than the typical social work student.

More information about a bachelor’s in social work from University of California - Berkeley

2
42 Annual Graduates
$35,399 Median Starting Salary
$17,396 Median Student Debt

It is difficult to beat University of Washington - Seattle Campus if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in social work. UW Seattle is a fairly large public university located in the city of Seattle.

Those social work students who get their bachelor's degree from University of Washington - Seattle Campus earn $3,787 more than the average social work student.

More information about a bachelor’s in social work from University of Washington - Seattle Campus

3
79 Annual Graduates
$34,010 Median Starting Salary
$21,506 Median Student Debt

Every student pursuing a degree in a bachelor's degree in social work has to look into The University of Texas at Austin. UT Austin is a very large public university located in the city of Austin.

Bachelor's recipients from the social work program at The University of Texas at Austin get $2,398 more than the standard college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in social work from The University of Texas at Austin

4
203 Annual Graduates
$35,004 Median Starting Salary
$20,000 Median Student Debt

Arizona State University - Tempe is one of the best schools in the country for getting a bachelor's degree in social work. Located in the medium-sized city of Tempe, ASU - Tempe is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the social work major at Arizona State University - Tempe get $3,392 above the standard graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in social work from Arizona State University - Tempe

5
68 Annual Graduates
$34,974 Median Starting Salary
$19,344 Median Student Debt

UIUC is a very large public university located in the city of Champaign.

Bachelor's recipients from the social work major at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign make $3,362 above the standard college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in social work from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

6
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
130 Annual Graduates
$35,854 Median Starting Salary
$15,038 Median Student Debt

Located in the midsize city of Salt Lake City, U of U is a public university with a very large student population.

Social Work bachelor's degree recipients from University of Utah receive an earnings boost of around $4,242 above the typical earnings of social work graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in social work from University of Utah

7
NYU crest
New York University
New York, NY
36 Annual Graduates
$25,000 Median Student Debt

NYU is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of New York.More information about a bachelor’s in social work from New York University

8
67 Annual Graduates
$26,239 Median Starting Salary
$21,398 Median Student Debt

UW - Madison is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Madison.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the social work program state that they receive average early career income of $26,239.

More information about a bachelor’s in social work from University of Wisconsin - Madison

9
165 Annual Graduates
$30,962 Median Starting Salary
$26,970 Median Student Debt

Located in the large city of Columbus, Ohio State is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Soon after graduation, social work bachelor's recipients usually make about $30,962 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in social work from Ohio State University - Main Campus

10
82 Annual Graduates
$38,843 Median Starting Salary
$21,686 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Las Vegas, UNLV is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Social Work bachelor's degree recipients from University of Nevada - Las Vegas earn a boost of approximately $7,231 over the average earnings of social work graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in social work from University of Nevada - Las Vegas

11
67 Annual Graduates
$35,836 Median Starting Salary
$25,000 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers New Brunswick is a public university with a very large student population.

Social Work bachelor's degree recipients from Rutgers University - New Brunswick earn a boost of approximately $4,224 over the average earnings of social work majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in social work from Rutgers University - New Brunswick

12
97 Annual Graduates
$34,581 Median Starting Salary
$15,176 Median Student Debt

Located in the large city of San Diego, SDSU is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the social work degree program at San Diego State University earn $2,969 more than the typical graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in social work from San Diego State University

13
98 Annual Graduates
$33,713 Median Starting Salary
$23,387 Median Student Debt

Located in the medium-sized city of Fort Collins, Colorado State is a public university with a very large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the social work degree program at Colorado State University - Fort Collins earn $2,101 more than the typical college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in social work from Colorado State University - Fort Collins

14
56 Annual Graduates
$39,169 Median Starting Salary
$37,059 Median Student Debt

St. Scholastica is a small private not-for-profit college located in the small city of Duluth.

Social Work bachelor's degree recipients from The College of Saint Scholastica earn a boost of about $7,557 above the typical earnings of social work majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in social work from The College of Saint Scholastica

15
52 Annual Graduates
$24,000 Median Student Debt

TCU is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Fort Worth.More information about a bachelor’s in social work from Texas Christian University

16
46 Annual Graduates
$21,133 Median Student Debt

Loyola Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Chicago.More information about a bachelor’s in social work from Loyola University Chicago

17
164 Annual Graduates
$33,234 Median Starting Salary
$18,410 Median Student Debt

IUPUI is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Indianapolis.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the social work program state that they receive average early career income of $33,234.

More information about a bachelor’s in social work from Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

18
81 Annual Graduates
$40,999 Median Starting Salary
$27,000 Median Student Debt

Located in the distant town of Winona, Winona State is a public university with a moderately-sized student population.

Those social work students who get their bachelor's degree from Winona State University make $9,387 more than the standard social work student.

More information about a bachelor’s in social work from Winona State University

19
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
54 Annual Graduates
$32,019 Median Starting Salary
$24,000 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Lawrence, KU is a public university with a very large student population.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the social work program state that they receive average early career wages of $32,019.

More information about a bachelor’s in social work from University of Kansas

20
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
54 Annual Graduates
$30,698 Median Starting Salary
$25,180 Median Student Debt

Located in the small city of Iowa City, Iowa is a public university with a very large student population.

After graduating, social work bachelor's recipients usually make about $30,698 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in social work from University of Iowa

21
101 Annual Graduates
$39,764 Median Starting Salary
$17,905 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Reno, UNR is a public university with a very large student population.

Social Work bachelor's degree recipients from University of Nevada - Reno get an earnings boost of around $8,152 above the average income of social work majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in social work from University of Nevada - Reno

22
84 Annual Graduates
$28,314 Median Starting Salary
$26,875 Median Student Debt

Located in the large city of Lexington, UK is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the social work program report average early career wages of $28,314.

More information about a bachelor’s in social work from University of Kentucky

23
83 Annual Graduates
$38,598 Median Starting Salary
$26,000 Median Student Debt

UND is a large public university located in the small city of Grand Forks.

Bachelor's recipients from the social work program at University of North Dakota earn $6,986 more than the typical college grad in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in social work from University of North Dakota

24
176 Annual Graduates
$31,638 Median Starting Salary
$21,101 Median Student Debt

Located in the small city of Boca Raton, FAU is a public university with a very large student population.

After graduation, social work bachelor's recipients usually make an average of $31,638 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in social work from Florida Atlantic University

25
Aurora crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL
167 Annual Graduates
$30,727 Median Starting Salary
$27,000 Median Student Debt

Aurora is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Aurora.

After graduating, social work bachelor's recipients usually earn around $30,727 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in social work from Aurora University

Rest of the Top Best Social Work Bachelor's Degree Schools

26
St. Kate's crest
St Catherine University
Saint Paul, MN
27
28
29
30
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
31
32

33
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

34
35
36
Seattle U crest
Seattle University
Seattle, WA
37
38
39
40
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
41

42

43
44
45
46
Monmouth crest
Monmouth University
West Long Branch, NJ
47
48
49
RIC crest
Rhode Island College
Providence, RI
50

Additional Award Winners

This section represents the rest of the colleges awarded a Best Social Work Bachelor's Degree Schools badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 367 different United States social work schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Eau Claire, WI
52 University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Whitewater, WI
53 University of Georgia Athens, GA
54 Florida International University Miami, FL
55 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Social Work Bachelor's Degree Schools award.

Rank College Location
56 University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Norman, OK
57 San Jose State University San Jose, CA
58 University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI
59 University of Massachusetts - Boston Boston, MA
60 George Mason University Fairfax, VA
61 West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA
62 Montclair State University Montclair, NJ
63 California State University - San Bernardino San Bernardino, CA
64 Bethel University Minnesota Saint Paul, MN
65 Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ
66 California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
67 University of Louisville Louisville, KY
68 University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MO
69 University of South Florida - Main Campus Tampa, FL
70 Stockton University Galloway, NJ
71 Augsburg University Minneapolis, MN
72 Ball State University Muncie, IN
73 Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Kutztown, PA

Social Work by Region

View the Best Social Work Bachelor's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

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Social Work Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Social Work 21,887
Child Advocacy & Policy 292
Other Social Work 42

Notes and References

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