by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2025, College Factual analyzed 70 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Social Work Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 3,916 bachelor's degrees in social work to qualified students.
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The social work bachelor's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. When choosing a school we recommend considering some of the following factors:
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
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.
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Our full 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.
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 in the Great Lakes Region 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.
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 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
Every student who is interested in a bachelor's degree in social work has to take a look at University of Wisconsin - Madison. Located in the large city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in social work from University of Wisconsin - Madison
Ohio State University - Main Campus is a wonderful choice for students interested in a bachelor's degree in social work. Ohio State is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Columbus.
Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the social work program report average early career wages of $38,739.
More information about a bachelor’s in social work from Ohio State University - Main Campus
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a great decision for students interested in a bachelor's degree in social work. Located in the small city of Champaign, UIUC 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 earnings of $36,815.
More information about a bachelor’s in social work from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Any student pursuing a degree in a bachelor's degree in social work needs to take a look at Loyola University Chicago. Located in the large city of Chicago, Loyola Chicago is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in social work from Loyola University Chicago
Located in the city of Indianapolis, IUPUI is a public university with a very large student population.
Bachelor's recipients from the social work degree program at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis make $3,111 more than the typical graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.
More information about a bachelor’s in social work from Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis
Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population.
Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the social work program earn an average of $38,382 for their early career.
More information about a bachelor’s in social work from Aurora University
Located in the city of Milwaukee, UWM 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 earnings of $40,188.
More information about a bachelor’s in social work from University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Located in the small city of East Lansing, Michigan State is a public university with a fairly large student population.
Soon after graduating, social work bachelor's recipients generally earn around $34,089 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a bachelor’s in social work from Michigan State University
Wayne State is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Detroit.
After graduating, social work bachelor's recipients typically make about $39,774 in the first five years of their career.
More information about a bachelor’s in social work from Wayne State University
UW - Whitewater is a large public university located in the distant town of Whitewater.
Soon after graduating, social work bachelor's recipients typically earn about $37,952 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a bachelor’s in social work from University of Wisconsin - Whitewater
Located in the town of Allendale, GVSU 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 $37,233.
More information about a bachelor’s in social work from Grand Valley State University
Located in the rural area of Marion, IWU is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.
Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the social work program report average early career wages of $36,722.
More information about a bachelor’s in social work from Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global
Eastern Michigan is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of Ypsilanti.
After graduating, social work bachelor's recipients usually earn around $38,517 in the first five years of their career.
More information about a bachelor’s in social work from Eastern Michigan University
Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a public university with a moderately-sized student population.
Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the social work program earn around $38,503 for their early career.
More information about a bachelor’s in social work from Saginaw Valley State UniversityThese 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 in the Great Lakes Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus | Cincinnati, OH |
| 16 | University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire | Eau Claire, WI |
| 17 | Oakland University | Rochester Hills, MI |
| 18 | Ball State University | Muncie, IN |
| 19 | Western Michigan University | Kalamazoo, MI |
| 20 | Illinois State University | Normal, IL |
| 21 | Central Michigan University | Mount Pleasant, MI |
| 22 | Marquette University | Milwaukee, WI |
| 23 | Bowling Green State University - Main Campus | Bowling Green, OH |
Explore the best social work colleges for a specific state in the Great Lakes Region .
One of 0 majors within the <nil> area of study, Social Work has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Social Work | 3,754 |
| Child Advocacy & Policy | 140 |
| Other Social Work | 22 |
