100 Best colleges for Social Work in the United States

Updated: March 15, 2026

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 472K citations received by 26.5K 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

#2 in North America

#2 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1445
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 69%

2. University of California - Berkeley

California | Berkeley

For Social Work

#3 in North America

#3 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Receiving Aid: 63%
Average Aid: $29,608
Enrollment: 45,882

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: $12,172
Enrollment: 79,818

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: 1260
Receiving Aid: 89%
Average Aid: $9,755

5. University of Georgia

Georgia | Athens

For Social Work

#6 in North America

#6 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 89%

6. Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia | Richmond

For Social Work

#7 in North America

#7 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1140
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 92%

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: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,520

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: 15%
Average SAT: 1460
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 59%

9. Florida State University

Florida | Tallahassee

For Social Work

#10 in North America

#10 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

10. University of Maryland, Baltimore

Maryland | Baltimore

For Social Work

#11 in North America

#11 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Enrollment: 6,636
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: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $43,412

12. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For Social Work

#13 in North America

#13 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Receiving Aid: 56%
Average Aid: $16,156
Enrollment: 56,997

13. New York University

New York State | New York City

For Social Work

#15 in North America

#15 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $30,325

14. University of Texas at Austin

For Social Work

#16 in North America

#16 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Average SAT: 1380
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 65%

15. University of Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Social Work

#17 in North America

#17 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $28,060

16. SUNY at Albany

New York State | Albany

For Social Work

#18 in North America

#18 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Receiving Aid: 98%
Average Aid: $11,210
Enrollment: 17,560

17. University of Kansas

Kansas State | Lawrence

For Social Work

#19 in North America

#20 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 94%

18. Fordham University

New York State | New York City

For Social Work

#20 in North America

#21 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 59%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $48,190

19. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Social Work

#21 in North America

#22 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,570

20. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Jersey | New Brunswick

For Social Work

#22 in North America

#25 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 69%

21. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Tennessee | Knoxville

For Social Work

#23 in North America

#28 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 96%

22. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Illinois | Champaign

For Social Work

#24 in North America

#29 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 64%

23. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Social Work

#25 in North America

#31 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 74%

24. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For Social Work

#26 in North America

#36 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 80%

25. University of Denver

Colorado | Denver

For Social Work

#28 in North America

#40 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $45,451

26. Adelphi University

New York State | Garden City

For Social Work

#29 in North America

#43 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 27
Net Price: $31,303

27. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For Social Work

#30 in North America

#44 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 81%

28. Western Michigan University

Michigan | Kalamazoo

For Social Work

#31 in North America

#45 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Receiving Aid: 96%
Average Aid: $11,048
Enrollment: 16,744

29. Yeshiva University

New York State | New York City

For Social Work

#32 in North America

#50 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 56%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $39,681

30. University of Houston

Texas | Houston

For Social Work

#33 in North America

#52 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1250
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: 77%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 80%

32. University of Kentucky

Kentucky | Lexington

For Social Work

#35 in North America

#56 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

33. University of California - Los Angeles

California | Los Angeles

For Social Work

#36 in North America

#57 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 59%
Average Aid: $25,627
Enrollment: 47,335

34. Boston College

Massachusetts | Boston

For Social Work

#37 in North America

#58 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1490
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $32,519

35. University of Texas at Arlington

Texas | Arlington

For Social Work

#38 in North America

#59 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1125
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 92%

36. Washington University in St Louis

Missouri | St. Louis

For Social Work

#39 in North America

#60 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,408

37. Case Western Reserve University

Ohio | Cleveland

For Social Work

#40 in North America

#61 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Average SAT: 1485
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $44,000

38. Boston University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Social Work

#41 in North America

#62 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $24,420

39. Smith College

Massachusetts | Northampton

For Social Work

#42 in North America

#64 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 21%
Average SAT: 1480
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $27,305

40. University at Buffalo

New York State | Buffalo

For Social Work

#43 in North America

#73 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1295
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 86%

41. Loyola University Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Social Work

#44 in North America

#74 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $39,147

42. University of South Carolina - Columbia

South Carolina | Columbia

For Social Work

#45 in North America

#80 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 94%

43. University of Alabama

Alabama | Tuscaloosa

For Social Work

#46 in North America

#82 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 88%

44. University of Utah

Utah | Salt Lake

For Social Work

#47 in North America

#83 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 79%

45. Rhode Island College

Rhode Island | Providence

For Social Work

#48 in North America

#84 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Average SAT: 995
Receiving Aid: 95%
Average Aid: $6,706

46. University of Iowa

Iowa State | Iowa City

For Social Work

#49 in North America

#85 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 90%

47. University of Connecticut

Connecticut | Storrs

For Social Work

#50 in North America

#86 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 52%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 88%

48. Michigan State University

Michigan | East Lansing

For Social Work

#51 in North America

#89 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 92%

49. Portland State University

Oregon | Portland

For Social Work

#52 in North America

#90 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Receiving Aid: 91%
Average Aid: $10,629
Enrollment: 19,951

50. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For Social Work

#53 in North America

#92 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1450
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 60%

51. Catholic University of America

District of Columbia | Washington

For Social Work

#54 in North America

#94 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Net Price: $32,705
Receiving Aid: 99%
Average Aid: $42,657

52. University of Missouri - Columbia

Missouri | Columbia

For Social Work

#55 in North America

#95 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 97%

53. Providence College

Rhode Island | Providence

For Social Work

#57 in North America

#107 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 51%
Average SAT: 1320
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $48,618

54. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

Indiana | Indianapolis

For Social Work

#58 in North America

#108 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1135
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 91%

55. Saint Louis University

Missouri | St. Louis

For Social Work

#59 in North America

#109 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1305
Average ACT: 28
Net Price: $27,749

56. San Diego State University

California | San Diego

For Social Work

#60 in North America

#110 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 36%
Receiving Aid: 62%
Average Aid: $12,053
Enrollment: 41,137

57. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For Social Work

#61 in North America

#111 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,408

58. Bryn Mawr College

Pennsylvania | Bryn Mawr

For Social Work

#63 in North America

#114 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $33,221

59. Wayne State University

Michigan | Detroit

For Social Work

#64 in North America

#118 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1165
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

60. Indiana University - Bloomington

Indiana | Bloomington

For Social Work

#65 in North America

#121 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 82%

61. University of Louisville

Kentucky | Louisville

For Social Work

#66 in North America

#122 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1155
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 98%

62. University of Maryland - Baltimore County

Maryland | Baltimore

For Social Work

#67 in North America

#123 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 72%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 93%

63. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Louisiana | Baton Rouge

For Social Work

#68 in North America

#124 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 93%

64. University of Central Florida

Florida | Orlando

For Social Work

#69 in North America

#125 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 92%

65. Florida International University

Florida | Miami

For Social Work

#70 in North America

#126 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1165
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 91%

66. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Wisconsin | Milwaukee

For Social Work

#71 in North America

#129 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $6,347

67. Howard University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Social Work

#73 in North America

#136 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 41%
Average SAT: 1205
Average ACT: 25
Net Price: $33,368

68. Harvard University

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Social Work

#75 in North America

#140 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $17,525

69. University of Oklahoma - Norman

Oklahoma State | Norman

For Social Work

#76 in North America

#146 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

#149 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 89%

71. Tulane University of Louisiana

Louisiana | New Orleans

For Social Work

#78 in North America

#152 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Average SAT: 1460
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $47,427

72. Brigham Young University - Provo

For Social Work

#79 in North America

#153 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $16,694

73. Binghamton University

New York State | Vestal

For Social Work

#80 in North America

#155 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Average SAT: 1420
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 79%

74. Temple University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Social Work

#81 in North America

#156 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $14,837
Enrollment: 29,640

75. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

New York State | New York City

For Social Work

#82 in North America

#157 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Enrollment: 1,261
Male:Female: 38:62
Founded: 1963

76. Syracuse University

New York State | Syracuse

For Social Work

#87 in North America

#166 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Average SAT: 1355
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $48,215

77. Simmons University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Social Work

#88 in North America

#168 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Average SAT: 1305
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $28,691

78. East Carolina University

North Carolina | Greenville

For Social Work

#89 in North America

#169 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1155
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 77%

79. California State University - Long Beach

California | Long Beach

For Social Work

#90 in North America

#172 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Receiving Aid: 82%
Average Aid: $11,795
Enrollment: 42,003

80. Florida Atlantic University

Florida | Boca Raton

For Social Work

#91 in North America

#174 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Average SAT: 1120
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 91%

81. Georgia State University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Social Work

#92 in North America

#175 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1060
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 94%

82. Baylor University

For Social Work

#93 in North America

#176 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 51%
Average SAT: 1300
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $47,001

83. University of Hartford

Connecticut | West Hartford

For Social Work

#94 in North America

#177 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 96%
Average SAT: 1215
Average ACT: 27
Net Price: $31,261

84. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania | University Park

For Social Work

#95 in North America

#179 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 67%

85. University of North Carolina at Charlotte

North Carolina | Charlotte

For Social Work

#97 in North America

#184 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 75%

86. University of California - San Francisco

California | San Francisco

For Social Work

#98 in North America

#186 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Enrollment: 3,007
Male:Female: 36:64
Founded: 1864

87. Duke University

North Carolina | Durham

For Social Work

#99 in North America

#188 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $21,981

88. University of Nevada - Las Vegas

Nevada | Las Vegas

For Social Work

#100 in North America

#190 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 96%
Average SAT: 1125
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 94%

89. Barry University

Florida | Miami

For Social Work

#101 in North America

#192 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Net Price: $23,883
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $26,872

90. West Virginia University

West Virginia | Morgantown

For Social Work

#102 in North America

#195 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1115
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 97%

91. George Mason University

Virginia | Fairfax

For Social Work

#103 in North America

#198 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 79%

92. Johns Hopkins University

Maryland | Baltimore

For Social Work

#104 in North America

#199 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,017

93. University of Maryland - College Park

Maryland | College Park

For Social Work

#105 in North America

#201 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1465
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 67%

94. University of Hawaii at Manoa

Hawaii | Honolulu

For Social Work

#107 in North America

#208 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1187
Average ACT: 21
Receiving Aid: 76%

95. Colorado State University - Fort Collins

Colorado | Fort Collins

For Social Work

#108 in North America

#210 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Receiving Aid: 79%
Average Aid: $10,160
Enrollment: 34,096

96. University of Northern Iowa

Iowa State | Cedar Falls

For Social Work

#109 in North America

#211 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1150
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 84%

97. Texas State University

Texas | San Marcos

For Social Work

#110 in North America

#213 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1090
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 87%

98. Widener University

Pennsylvania | Chester

For Social Work

#111 in North America

#214 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Average SAT: 1185
Net Price: $26,778
Receiving Aid: 100%

99. Washington State University

Washington | Pullman

For Social Work

#112 in North America

#218 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Receiving Aid: 89%
Average Aid: $10,886
Enrollment: 25,685

100. Lehman College, CUNY

New York State | New York City

For Social Work

#113 in North America

#221 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1000
Receiving Aid: 94%
Average Aid: $10,151

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 Psychology945

Clinical Psychology815

Cognitive Science797

Education Majors1087

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution273

Neuroscience1137

Occupational Therapy276

Organizational / Business / IO Psychology252

Social Psychology1223

Special Education344