Top Colleges for Social Work Degrees

Social work is a profession dedicated to helping individuals, families, and communities overcome challenges and improve their well-being. Social work students come from many walks of life. Some enter the field from a sociology or child psychology background. Others worked in family planning, criminal justice, legal studies, and other areas that specifically brought them to social work. Then there are the thousands of students that want to help and make a difference. It is, however, a field where professionals may face hostility, negative media attention, and stereotyping. It’s also a field that lends itself a witness to child and adult abuse and the sometimes horrific conditions under which some people live. A career in social work can be incredibly rewarding, but choosing the right educational path is crucial for success. Many undergraduates believe going for a master’s degree is the best option to advance educational, personal, and professional goals. With numerous colleges and universities offering social work programs, selecting the best fit can be daunting. The selection process can be complex for many students seeking schools that align with their lifestyle, budget, and goals. This article highlights some of the top colleges for social work, focusing on their program offerings, strengths, and unique features. For this comprehensive ranking of the 50 best traditional social work schools, Social Work Degree Center editors focused on CSWE-accredited colleges and universities known for their educational quality, mentorship, networking opportunities, and more.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Social Work Program

Before diving into specific colleges, it’s essential to understand the factors that make a social work program stand out. The best college programs offer research facilities, education libraries, prominent faculty members, and dual degree programs to help make students more successful in the workforce today. Here are some key aspects to consider:

Accreditation: Ensure the program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). CSWE accreditation ensures that the program meets rigorous standards for curriculum, faculty, and resources.
Program Options: Look for a program that offers the degree level you seek (BSW, MSW, Ph.D.) and specializations that align with your interests, such as child and family welfare, mental health, or community organizing.
Faculty: Research the faculty's expertise and experience. Prominent faculty members can provide valuable mentorship and research opportunities.
Field Placements: Consider the availability and variety of field placement opportunities. Practical experience is crucial in social work education.
Research Opportunities: If you're interested in research, explore the program's research facilities and opportunities.
Location and Cost: Factor in the college's location, tuition fees, and cost of living.

Top Social Work Programs in the United States

1. University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Programs: MSW, Doctor of Social Work (DSW), Ph.D. in Social Welfare
Strengths: The University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy & Practice is highlighted for its diverse offerings, including several Master of Social Work programs and a Doctor of Social Work or Ph.D. Founded by Benjamin Franklin, the University of Pennsylvania is an ivy league school that opened in 1740. More than 22,250 students attend classes online and on-campus, vying for the degrees offers by the university’s twelve undergraduate and graduate schools/colleges.
Unique Features: Penn's School of Social Policy & Practice is known for its interdisciplinary approach and focus on social justice.

2. Columbia University School of Social Work

Location: New York, New York
Programs: MSW, Ph.D.
Strengths: Columbia University’s Social Work School ranks as one of the country’s best schools of social work. In addition, Columbia was the first social work school founded in the nation. As one of the best social work schools, Columbia University’s curriculum for their MSW aligns with the CSWE standards, with degree candidates required to complete 60 graduate semester credits, which is offered in an accelerated format. MSW candidates can select from an advanced clinical social practice, generalist, policy practice, and also social enterprise administration. The Doctor of Philosophy degree program (Ph.D.) offered by one of New York’s country’s best schools for social work offers two academic tracks - social policy analysis and advanced practice. Columbia University is a private higher learning institution that serves more than 33,350 students.
Unique Features: Located in New York City, Columbia offers access to diverse field placement opportunities and a strong emphasis on policy and research.

3. University of Washington School of Social Work

Location: Seattle, Washington
Programs: Bachelor of Social Welfare, MSW, Ph.D. in Social Welfare
Strengths: The University of Washington’s social work programs are ranked as one of the west coast’s best schools of social work, offering program options at the baccalaureate (in social welfare), master’s, and also doctoral level. In fact Center for World Rankings has previously ranked UDub as the globe’s best school for social work in 2017. The University of Washington’s best social work schools bachelor’s and master’s degree programs offer students more than 600 field placement sites. The school’s Ph.D. program in Social Welfare is available only on a full-time basis. The University of Washington (UW) is a space and sea-grant school that is among the oldest of all universities on the west coast. Founded in 1861, the University of Washington now serves nearly 47,700 students online and its multiple campuses.
Unique Features: UW is known for its research focus and strong community partnerships.

4. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work

Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Programs: MSW, dual degree programs, doctoral programs
Strengths: The Social Work School at the UNC at Chapel Hill is among North Carolina’s best social work schools. In addition, the University of North Carolina’s social work school recently celebrated its 100-year anniversary. As one of the southern United States’ best schools for social work, UNC offers a variety of MSW programs, dual degree programs, and doctoral programs in a variety of social work specialties. Field placement options are available in more than 50 counties in the state of North Carolina. The University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) is the flagship campus of the University of North Carolina system and opened in 1789. As a recognized public ivy school, UNC-Chapel Hill serves more than 29,950 students each year.
Unique Features: UNC offers a variety of MSW programs, dual degree programs, and doctoral programs in a variety of social work specialties.

5. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Luskin School of Public Affairs

Location: Los Angeles, California
Programs: BA in Public Affairs, MSW, Ph.D. in Social Welfare
Strengths: The Luskin Public Affairs School within the University of California, Los Angeles is considered among Golden State’s best schools for social work. Among the west coast’s CSWE-accredited, best schools of social work, UCLA offers social work degree programs at the bachelor’s level (BA in Public Affairs), a full and part-time MSW program, plus a Ph.D. program in Social Welfare that is recognized among the leading programs from one of the nation’s Carolina’s best social work schools. UCLA’s BA in Public Affairs also offers a minor in gerontology. The University of California (UCLA)was established as a branch of the University of California in 1919 but is now a land grant and space-grant school that serves more than 45,650 undergraduate and graduate students.
Unique Features: UCLA offers a BA in Public Affairs with a minor in gerontology, as well as a full and part-time MSW program.

6. University of California, Berkeley School of Social Welfare

Location: Berkeley, California
Programs: BA in Social Welfare, MSW, Ph.D. in Social Welfare, dual degree options (MPP, MPH, JD)
Strengths: The University of California, Berkeley is one of California’s best schools for social work, having been developed in the early 1940s. Berkley’s School of Social Welfare is among Northern California’s best schools of social work. The school offers both a Bachelor of Arts degree (BA) in Social Welfare, a two-year CSWE-accredited MSW program (with three academic concentrations), and also dual degree options that include MPP, MPH, or JD degrees. In addition, Berkeley, as one of the best social work schools, offers a Ph.D. program in Social Welfare that can be combined with Berkeley’s MSW degree as well. The University of California (Cal) was established as the first land-grant school in 1868. Berkeley is home to more than 43,150 students vying for degrees offered by its fourteen schools/colleges.
Unique Features: UC Berkeley offers a Ph.D. program in Social Welfare that can be combined with their MSW degree.

7. University of Illinois School of Social Work

Location: Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
Programs: BSW, MSW (online, hybrid, on-campus), Ph.D.
Strengths: The University of Illinois’s Social Work School is recognized to be one of the Midwest’s best schools of social work. World University Rankings has ranked UI’s social work program as one of the six best schools for social work, with a job placement rate of MSW grads of 90%. The BSW program is campus-based, while the Master of Social Work programs is available online, as hybrid programs, or on the school’s campus. The doctoral social work programs from one of Illinois’s best social work schools are typically completed in 3 - 5 years, depending on the student’s time commitment. The University of Illinois (U of I) was established in 1867 under the Morrill Act of 1862. In addition, U of I is a sea and space-grant school and the flagship campus of the state.
Unique Features: UI offers flexible MSW program options (online, hybrid, on-campus) and boasts a high job placement rate for MSW graduates.

8. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor School of Social Work

Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Programs: Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, MSW, Joint Doctor of Philosophy degree in Social Work
Strengths: The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is one of the state’s oldest and best schools for social work, offering social work academic degrees at the baccalaureate, graduate, and doctorate levels. The programs offered by one of the Midwest’s best social work schools include a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, a Master of Social Work, and a Joint Doctor of Philosophy degree in Social Work. As one of Michigan’s best schools of social work, degree candidates can select from eight concentrations in the Master of Social Work degree program. The University of Michigan opened in 1917, two decades prior to Michigan reaching statehood. With several campuses that serve more than 45,000 undergraduate and graduate students, Michigan is one of the largest school in the state.
Unique Features: UM offers eight concentrations in its MSW program.

9. University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work

Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: BSW, Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW), Ph.D. in Social Work, post-doctoral training options
Strengths: The Hicks Social Work School, at the University of Texas at Austin, has been ranked as one of the nation’s ten best schools of social work. The programs offered by one of Texas’s best schools for social work include a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), A Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW), and a Ph.D. in Social Work, plus post-doctoral training options. The McCombs Business School, along with one of Austin’s best social work schools, offers a dual degree program option with the MSSW program. The University of Texas (UT) is the state’s flagship campus, with more than 51,050 students attending classes online and on-campus. UT is also a space-grant school that was founded in 1881.
Unique Features: UT Austin offers a dual degree program option with the MSSW program in conjunction with the McCombs Business School.

10. University of Wisconsin-Madison Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work

Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Programs: BSW, MSW (full and part-time), Ph.D. in Social Welfare, post-MSW options
Strengths: The University of Wisconsin’s Rosenbaum Social Work School is recognized to be among the best schools of social work in Wisconsin. The programs available from one of the Midwest’s best schools for social work include an undergraduate BSW degree, a full and part-time Master of Social Work, as well as a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Social Welfare, plus post-MSW options. The University of Wisconsin (UW) is Wisconsin’s flagship campus that is situated on Lake Mendota. More than 45,500 students vying for the more than 400 academic degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.
Unique Features: UW-Madison offers both full and part-time MSW options.

11. University of Maryland Baltimore School of Social Work

Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Programs: BSW, MSW (Baltimore and Shady Grove campuses), Ph.D. in Social Work, post-doctoral fellowships
Strengths: The School of Social Work at the University of Maryland Baltimore is recognized to be one of the best social work schools in the mid-Atlantic region. Among Maryland’s best schools of social work, The University of Maryland offers a Bachelor of Social Work, a Master of Social Work (at the Baltimore or Shady Grove campus), and a Ph.D. in Social Work program, plus opportunities for post-doctoral fellows. Additionally, UM’s best schools for social work offer an array of international learning opportunities to its social work students. The University of Maryland (UM) is a research higher learning institution that was established in 1966. This space-grant school serves more than 13,450 students each year - the fourth largest student enrollment in the UM system.
Unique Features: UM offers international learning opportunities and MSW programs at both the Baltimore and Shady Grove campuses.

12. Boston College School of Social Work

Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Programs: MSW, Ph.D. in Social Work
Strengths: As one of New England’s best social work schools, Boston College’s Social Work School offers a Master of Social Work degree program and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Social Work. The MSW program offered by one of Massachusetts’ best schools of social work can be completed as full or part-time students and with available dual degree options. Boston College, as one of Boston’s best schools for social work, includes six practice specialties in health, Latinx communities, older adults, children/youth, health, mental health, and global practice. Boston College is a Jesuit institution of higher education that was founded in the early 1860s.
Unique Features: Boston College offers six practice specialties in its MSW program, including health, Latinx communities, and global practice.

13. University of Georgia School of Social Work

Location: Athens, Georgia
Programs: BSW, MSW, Ph.D. in Social Work, MA in Nonprofit Management & Leadership
Strengths: The University of Georgia’s Social Work School is ranked among the best schools of social work in the southern United States. In addition, the University of Georgia’s best schools for social work offers a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree program, a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree program, and a Ph.D. in Social Work, plus a Master of Arts Degree (MA) in Nonprofit Management & Leadership. AS one of Georgia’s best social work schools, UGA also offers several dual degree options with the MSW degree - a Juris Doctor and a Master of Public Health degree, simultaneously. The University of Georgia is recognized to be a public ivy and the flagship campus of Georgia’s university system with a student enrollment that nears 39,000 students.
Unique Features: UGA offers dual degree options with the MSW degree, including a Juris Doctor and a Master of Public Health degree.

14. Washington University in St. Louis Brown School

Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Programs: MSW, Ph.D. in Social Work (or Public Health Sciences)
Strengths: Washington University in St. Washington University in St. Louis’s Brown School has been ranked as one of Missouri’s best schools for social work. The school offers a Master of Social Work and a Ph.D. degree in Social Work (or public health Sciences) from one of the Midwest’s best social work schools. Alumni from one of St. Louis’s best schools of social work hale from nearly 70 international locations. Additionally, students may opt to explore the many global opportunities offered by the university. WU in St. Louis is a multi-campus institution of higher learning that was established in 1853. This private school serves more than 12,550 students from all states and more than 100 international locations.
Unique Features: Washington University offers global opportunities and boasts alumni from nearly 70 international locations.

15. University of Minnesota School of Social Work

Location: Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota
Programs: MSW, Ph.D. in Social Work
Strengths: The University of Minnesota’s Education and Human Development houses one of Minnesota’s oldest and best schools of social work. Among the programs provided by one of the Twin Cities’ best schools for social work are a Master of Social Work degree (MSW) and a Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work - from the school’s campus. The available MSW concentrations from one of the best social work schools include aging & disability, community practice, health, and children/families. The University of Minnesota (UM Twin Cities) maintains dual campuses in Minneapolis and Saint Paul that serve more than 51,050 undergraduate and graduate students. UM was established in the early 1850s as a college prep school but became a land grant school about fifteen years later.
Unique Features: UM offers MSW concentrations in aging & disability, community practice, health, and children/families.

16. University of Utah College of Social Work

Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Programs: BSW (online and on-campus), MSW, Ph.D.
Strengths: The University of Utah’s Social Work College is ranked among Utah’s best schools for social work. The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from one of Salt Lake City’s best schools of social work is available online and on the school’s campus. Utah’s MSW program offers seven tracks in health, global, substance use, aging, child welfare, mental health, health, and forensic social work. Utah’s best social work schools also offer a Ph.D. The University of Utah (U of U) is a research university that was established in 1850. More than 32,650 students attend cases offered by Utah’s flagship and space-grant institution of higher education, which makes U of U the 2nd largest school in Utah.
Unique Features: The University of Utah offers an online BSW program and MSW tracks in health, global, substance use, and forensic social work.

17. Rutgers University School of Social Work

Location: Camden and Newark, New Jersey
Programs: BSW, MSW, Ph.D.
Strengths: Rutgers University is the Garden State’s best school for social work, offering a number of social work programs on its Camden and Newark campuses. As one of New Jersey’s best schools of social work, Rutgers University offers academic, social work degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Rutgers University’s Social Work School was established in the mid-1950s and is now among the best social work schools in the eastern United States. The doctoral programs include a Ph.D. Rutgers University’s motto is the State University of New Jersey. The school maintains three campuses in central and northern New Jersey that serve about 68,450 students.
Unique Features: Rutgers offers social work programs on its Camden and Newark campuses.

18. University of Southern California (USC) Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work

Location: Los Angeles, California
Programs: MSW (online, program for working adults, advanced standing program, traditional program)
Strengths: The Peck Social Work School within the University of Southern California (USC) is recognized to be among the west coast’s best social work schools. In addition, USC is one of the best schools for social work that has received accreditation by the CSWE, with a commitment to abide by the NASW Code of Ethics. The MSW degree programs from one of California’s best schools of social work include an online version, a program for working adults, an advanced standing program, and a traditional program. The University of Southern California (USC) is a sea & space-grant school that was established in the early 1880s with more than 48,250 students.
Unique Features: USC offers a variety of MSW program formats, including online, programs for working adults, and advanced standing options.

Additional Considerations

Dual Degree Programs: Explore dual degree options, such as MSW/MPH or MSW/JD, to enhance your career prospects.
Networking Opportunities: Consider the program's networking opportunities, such as conferences, workshops, and alumni connections.
School Culture: Visit the campus and talk to current students to get a sense of the school's culture and environment.

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