100 Best colleges for Social Work in the United States

Updated: March 02, 2025

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in the United States ranked based on their research performance in Social Work. A graph of 449K citations received by 26K academic papers made by 168 universities in the United States was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Michigan | Ann Arbor

For Social Work

#1 in North America

#1 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 66%

2. University of California - Berkeley

California | Berkeley

For Social Work

#3 in North America

#3 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $25,951
Enrollment: 45,699

3. Arizona State University - Tempe

Arizona | Tempe

For Social Work

#4 in North America

#4 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $11,992
Enrollment: 79,593

4. CUNY Hunter College

New York State | New York City

For Social Work

#5 in North America

#5 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Average SAT: 1340
Receiving Aid: 89%
Average Aid: $9,624

5. University of Georgia

Georgia | Athens

For Social Work

#6 in North America

#6 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 84%

6. Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia | Richmond

For Social Work

#7 in North America

#7 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1150
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 100%

7. Columbia University

New York State | New York City

For Social Work

#8 in North America

#8 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $20,869

8. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina | Chapel Hill

For Social Work

#9 in North America

#9 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1450
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 58%

9. Florida State University

Florida | Tallahassee

For Social Work

#10 in North America

#10 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Average SAT: 1315
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 95%

10. University of Maryland, Baltimore

Maryland | Baltimore

For Social Work

#11 in North America

#11 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Enrollment: 6,667
Male:Female: 27:73
Founded: 1807

11. University of Southern California

California | Los Angeles

For Social Work

#12 in North America

#12 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1495
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $41,496

12. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For Social Work

#13 in North America

#13 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Receiving Aid: 55%
Average Aid: $14,390
Enrollment: 55,620

13. University of Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Social Work

#15 in North America

#15 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $27,979

14. University of Texas at Austin

For Social Work

#16 in North America

#16 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Average SAT: 1360
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 69%

15. SUNY at Albany

New York State | Albany

For Social Work

#17 in North America

#17 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Receiving Aid: 97%
Average Aid: $9,747
Enrollment: 16,880

16. New York University

New York State | New York City

For Social Work

#18 in North America

#18 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1525
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $30,730

17. University of Kansas

Kansas State | Lawrence

For Social Work

#19 in North America

#19 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1170
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 93%

18. Fordham University

New York State | New York City

For Social Work

#20 in North America

#21 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 56%
Average SAT: 1410
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $45,368

19. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Social Work

#21 in North America

#22 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,017

20. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Jersey | New Brunswick

For Social Work

#22 in North America

#25 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 71%

21. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Illinois | Champaign

For Social Work

#23 in North America

#28 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Average SAT: 1390
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 61%

22. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Tennessee | Knoxville

For Social Work

#24 in North America

#29 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 90%

23. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Social Work

#25 in North America

#31 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1360
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 87%

24. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For Social Work

#26 in North America

#32 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 51%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 75%

25. University of Denver

Colorado | Denver

For Social Work

#28 in North America

#39 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $43,324

26. Adelphi University

New York State | Garden City

For Social Work

#29 in North America

#41 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 27
Net Price: $28,671

27. Western Michigan University

Michigan | Kalamazoo

For Social Work

#30 in North America

#42 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1105
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 95%

28. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For Social Work

#31 in North America

#45 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 81%

29. Yeshiva University

New York State | New York City

For Social Work

#32 in North America

#48 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Average SAT: 1410
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $38,118

30. University of Houston

Texas | Houston

For Social Work

#33 in North America

#51 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 83%

31. University of Illinois at Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Social Work

#34 in North America

#54 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 80%

32. University of California - Los Angeles

California | Los Angeles

For Social Work

#35 in North America

#55 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 60%
Average Aid: $22,441
Enrollment: 46,678

33. Boston College

Massachusetts | Boston

For Social Work

#36 in North America

#56 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1485
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $32,590

34. University of Kentucky

Kentucky | Lexington

For Social Work

#37 in North America

#58 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

35. University of Texas at Arlington

Texas | Arlington

For Social Work

#38 in North America

#59 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1110
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 91%

36. Case Western Reserve University

Ohio | Cleveland

For Social Work

#39 in North America

#60 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Average SAT: 1485
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $41,351

37. Washington University in St Louis

Missouri | St. Louis

For Social Work

#40 in North America

#61 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,440

38. Boston University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Social Work

#41 in North America

#62 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1460
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $27,551

39. Smith College

Massachusetts | Northampton

For Social Work

#42 in North America

#64 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Average SAT: 1474
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $27,823

40. University at Buffalo

New York State | Buffalo

For Social Work

#43 in North America

#72 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Average SAT: 1295
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 86%

41. University of Alabama

Alabama | Tuscaloosa

For Social Work

#44 in North America

#75 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 84%

42. Loyola University Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Social Work

#45 in North America

#76 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $37,592

43. University of Utah

Utah | Salt Lake

For Social Work

#46 in North America

#79 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1289
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 79%

44. University of South Carolina - Columbia

South Carolina | Columbia

For Social Work

#47 in North America

#80 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 95%

45. University of Connecticut

Connecticut | Storrs

For Social Work

#48 in North America

#83 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Average SAT: 1315
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 83%

46. Rhode Island College

Rhode Island | Providence

For Social Work

#49 in North America

#85 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1010
Receiving Aid: 94%
Average Aid: $6,998

47. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For Social Work

#50 in North America

#86 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1435
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 60%

48. University of Iowa

Iowa State | Iowa City

For Social Work

#51 in North America

#87 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 88%

49. Michigan State University

Michigan | East Lansing

For Social Work

#52 in North America

#88 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 97%

50. Portland State University

Oregon | Portland

For Social Work

#53 in North America

#89 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Receiving Aid: 88%
Average Aid: $8,827
Enrollment: 20,519

51. Catholic University of America

District of Columbia | Washington

For Social Work

#54 in North America

#90 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Net Price: $35,008
Receiving Aid: 99%
Average Aid: $38,232

52. University of Missouri - Columbia

Missouri | Columbia

For Social Work

#55 in North America

#91 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 90%

53. San Diego State University

California | San Diego

For Social Work

#57 in North America

#106 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Receiving Aid: 95%
Average Aid: $5,459
Enrollment: 39,241

54. Providence College

Rhode Island | Providence

For Social Work

#58 in North America

#107 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $46,645

55. Saint Louis University

Missouri | St. Louis

For Social Work

#59 in North America

#109 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1320
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $30,911

56. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For Social Work

#60 in North America

#110 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,044

57. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

Indiana | Indianapolis

For Social Work

#62 in North America

#113 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1135
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 91%

58. Bryn Mawr College

Pennsylvania | Bryn Mawr

For Social Work

#63 in North America

#114 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Average SAT: 1385
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $39,383

59. Wayne State University

Michigan | Detroit

For Social Work

#64 in North America

#117 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1150
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

60. University of Louisville

Kentucky | Louisville

For Social Work

#65 in North America

#119 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1135
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 97%

61. Indiana University - Bloomington

Indiana | Bloomington

For Social Work

#66 in North America

#120 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 83%

62. University of Maryland - Baltimore County

Maryland | Baltimore

For Social Work

#67 in North America

#121 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1315
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 94%

63. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Louisiana | Baton Rouge

For Social Work

#68 in North America

#123 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 93%

64. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Wisconsin | Milwaukee

For Social Work

#69 in North America

#124 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average ACT: 21
Receiving Aid: 89%
Average Aid: $5,305

65. Florida International University

Florida | Miami

For Social Work

#70 in North America

#126 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 59%
Average SAT: 1155
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 92%

66. University of Central Florida

Florida | Orlando

For Social Work

#71 in North America

#127 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 91%

67. Howard University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Social Work

#73 in North America

#135 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Average SAT: 1199
Average ACT: 25
Net Price: $30,028

68. Harvard University

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Social Work

#75 in North America

#140 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $17,900

69. University of Oklahoma - Norman

Oklahoma State | Norman

For Social Work

#76 in North America

#142 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

70. University of South Florida

Florida | Tampa

For Social Work

#77 in North America

#143 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 41%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 88%

71. Brigham Young University - Provo

For Social Work

#78 in North America

#147 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $14,643

72. Temple University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Social Work

#79 in North America

#148 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Receiving Aid: 94%
Average Aid: $11,891
Enrollment: 30,205

73. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

New York State | New York City

For Social Work

#80 in North America

#149 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Enrollment: 1,234
Male:Female: 39:61
Founded: 1963

74. Tulane University of Louisiana

Louisiana | New Orleans

For Social Work

#81 in North America

#152 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Average SAT: 1450
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $50,631

75. Binghamton University

New York State | Vestal

For Social Work

#82 in North America

#153 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 78%

76. Syracuse University

New York State | Syracuse

For Social Work

#83 in North America

#156 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1345
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $51,520

77. East Carolina University

North Carolina | Greenville

For Social Work

#85 in North America

#159 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Average SAT: 1125
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 79%

78. Simmons University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Social Work

#86 in North America

#160 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Average SAT: 1310
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $29,575

79. California State University - Long Beach

California | Long Beach

For Social Work

#88 in North America

#165 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Receiving Aid: 82%
Average Aid: $10,512
Enrollment: 40,278

80. University of Hartford

Connecticut | West Hartford

For Social Work

#91 in North America

#170 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Average SAT: 1190
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $30,553

81. Florida Atlantic University

Florida | Boca Raton

For Social Work

#92 in North America

#171 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1125
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 92%

82. Georgia State University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Social Work

#93 in North America

#173 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 62%
Average SAT: 1160
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 94%

83. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania | University Park

For Social Work

#94 in North America

#175 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Average SAT: 1310
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 66%

84. University of North Carolina at Charlotte

North Carolina | Charlotte

For Social Work

#96 in North America

#180 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1215
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 72%

85. Baylor University

For Social Work

#97 in North America

#181 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 51%
Average SAT: 1305
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $49,727

86. University of California - San Francisco

California | San Francisco

For Social Work

#98 in North America

#184 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Enrollment: 3,126
Male:Female: 35:65
Founded: 1864

87. University of Nevada - Las Vegas

Nevada | Las Vegas

For Social Work

#99 in North America

#186 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 96%
Average SAT: 1105
Average ACT: 21
Receiving Aid: 95%

88. Duke University

North Carolina | Durham

For Social Work

#100 in North America

#187 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,422

89. West Virginia University

West Virginia | Morgantown

For Social Work

#101 in North America

#189 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1125
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 97%

90. George Mason University

Virginia | Fairfax

For Social Work

#102 in North America

#190 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 80%

91. Barry University

Florida | Miami

For Social Work

#103 in North America

#192 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 59%
Net Price: $23,930
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $25,115

92. Johns Hopkins University

Maryland | Baltimore

For Social Work

#104 in North America

#195 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1555
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,844

93. University of Maryland - College Park

Maryland | College Park

For Social Work

#105 in North America

#197 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1445
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 65%

94. University of Hawaii at Manoa

Hawaii | Honolulu

For Social Work

#106 in North America

#203 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Average SAT: 1130
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 79%

95. University of Northern Iowa

Iowa State | Cedar Falls

For Social Work

#107 in North America

#205 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 94%
Average SAT: 1035
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 83%

96. Colorado State University - Fort Collins

Colorado | Fort Collins

For Social Work

#108 in North America

#206 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 74%
Average Aid: $10,554
Enrollment: 33,500

97. Texas State University

Texas | San Marcos

For Social Work

#109 in North America

#208 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1085
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 82%

98. Widener University

Pennsylvania | Chester

For Social Work

#110 in North America

#212 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1155
Net Price: $30,720
Receiving Aid: 100%

99. Albany State University

Georgia | Albany

For Social Work

#112 in North America

#215 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $7,513
Enrollment: 6,544

100. Washington State University

Washington | Pullman

For Social Work

#113 in North America

#218 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Receiving Aid: 91%
Average Aid: $10,370
Enrollment: 26,490

The best cities to study Social Work in the United States based on the number of universities and their ranks are Ann Arbor, Berkeley, Tempe, and New York.

Psychology subfields in the United States

Child Psychology939

Clinical Psychology808

Cognitive Science786

Education Majors1082

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution270

Neuroscience1126

Occupational Therapy272

Organizational / Business / IO Psychology259

Social Psychology1221

Special Education354