100 Best colleges for Social Work in the United States

Updated: February 29, 2024

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 324K citations received by 23.4K academic papers made by 163 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: 74%

2. University of California - Berkeley

California | Berkeley

For Social Work

#3 in North America

#3 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Receiving Aid: 60%
Average Aid: $21,669
Enrollment: 45,307

3. University of Georgia

Georgia | Athens

For Social Work

#4 in North America

#4 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1320
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 94%

4. Arizona State University - Tempe

Arizona | Tempe

For Social Work

#5 in North America

#5 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $12,381
Enrollment: 80,065

5. CUNY Hunter College

New York State | New York City

For Social Work

#6 in North America

#6 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 48%
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $9,325
Enrollment: 22,970

6. Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia | Richmond

For Social Work

#7 in North America

#7 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Average SAT: 1160
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 90%

7. Florida State University

Florida | Tallahassee

For Social Work

#8 in North America

#8 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 93%

8. University of Southern California

California | Los Angeles

For Social Work

#9 in North America

#9 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $36,808

9. Columbia University

New York State | New York City

For Social Work

#10 in North America

#10 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,058

10. University of Maryland, Baltimore

Maryland | Baltimore

For Social Work

#11 in North America

#11 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Enrollment: 6,931
Male:Female: 27:73
Founded: 1807

11. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina | Chapel Hill

For Social Work

#12 in North America

#12 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 59%

12. University of Texas at Austin

For Social Work

#13 in North America

#13 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 89%

13. New York University

New York State | New York City

For Social Work

#14 in North America

#14 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $29,499

14. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For Social Work

#15 in North America

#15 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 48%
Receiving Aid: 58%
Average Aid: $14,731
Enrollment: 52,319

15. University of Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Social Work

#16 in North America

#16 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $36,991

16. SUNY at Albany

New York State | Albany

For Social Work

#18 in North America

#19 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1220
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 97%

17. Fordham University

New York State | New York City

For Social Work

#19 in North America

#20 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $43,943

18. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Illinois | Champaign

For Social Work

#20 in North America

#21 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 64%

19. University of Kansas

Kansas State | Lawrence

For Social Work

#21 in North America

#22 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1215
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 91%

20. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Tennessee | Knoxville

For Social Work

#22 in North America

#25 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 91%

21. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Jersey | New Brunswick

For Social Work

#23 in North America

#29 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 70%

22. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Social Work

#24 in North America

#32 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,123

23. University of Denver

Colorado | Denver

For Social Work

#25 in North America

#36 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1310
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $42,423

24. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For Social Work

#26 in North America

#39 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 53%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 83%

25. Yeshiva University

New York State | New York City

For Social Work

#27 in North America

#40 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $35,912

26. University of California - Los Angeles

California | Los Angeles

For Social Work

#28 in North America

#41 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 57%
Average Aid: $21,766
Enrollment: 46,430

27. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Social Work

#29 in North America

#43 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 87%

28. University of Illinois at Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Social Work

#30 in North America

#47 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 81%

29. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For Social Work

#31 in North America

#48 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 82%

30. Boston College

Massachusetts | Boston

For Social Work

#32 in North America

#49 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1488
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $30,559

31. University of Texas at Arlington

Texas | Arlington

For Social Work

#33 in North America

#50 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1120
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 93%

32. University of Houston

Texas | Houston

For Social Work

#34 in North America

#51 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Average SAT: 1245
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 83%

33. Smith College

Massachusetts | Northampton

For Social Work

#36 in North America

#54 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 23%
Average SAT: 1445
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $30,790

34. University of Kentucky

Kentucky | Lexington

For Social Work

#37 in North America

#56 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 96%

35. University of Connecticut

Connecticut | Storrs

For Social Work

#38 in North America

#60 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 89%

36. Boston University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Social Work

#39 in North America

#61 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $27,829

37. Case Western Reserve University

Ohio | Cleveland

For Social Work

#40 in North America

#62 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $38,279

38. University of Iowa

Iowa State | Iowa City

For Social Work

#41 in North America

#66 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 91%

39. Catholic University of America

District of Columbia | Washington

For Social Work

#42 in North America

#67 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Net Price: $36,031
Receiving Aid: 99%
Average Aid: $34,449

40. Washington University in St Louis

Missouri | St. Louis

For Social Work

#43 in North America

#68 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $23,432

41. University at Buffalo

New York State | Buffalo

For Social Work

#44 in North America

#71 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 86%

42. Providence College

Rhode Island | Providence

For Social Work

#45 in North America

#73 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 53%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $43,970

43. University of Utah

Utah | Salt Lake

For Social Work

#46 in North America

#75 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

44. Loyola University Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Social Work

#47 in North America

#76 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $37,511

45. University of South Carolina - Columbia

South Carolina | Columbia

For Social Work

#48 in North America

#77 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 98%

46. University of Alabama

Alabama | Tuscaloosa

For Social Work

#49 in North America

#80 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 87%

47. Michigan State University

Michigan | East Lansing

For Social Work

#50 in North America

#81 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 94%

48. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For Social Work

#51 in North America

#82 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 58%

49. Adelphi University

New York State | Garden City

For Social Work

#52 in North America

#83 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1210
Average ACT: 26
Net Price: $26,953

50. Rhode Island College

Rhode Island | Providence

For Social Work

#53 in North America

#85 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 990
Receiving Aid: 88%
Average Aid: $7,537

51. Portland State University

Oregon | Portland

For Social Work

#54 in North America

#88 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Receiving Aid: 89%
Average Aid: $9,750
Enrollment: 21,609

52. Saint Louis University

Missouri | St. Louis

For Social Work

#55 in North America

#89 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1305
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $29,651

53. University of Missouri - Columbia

Missouri | Columbia

For Social Work

#56 in North America

#93 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 91%

54. Wayne State University

Michigan | Detroit

For Social Work

#58 in North America

#95 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1150
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 98%

55. Bryn Mawr College

Pennsylvania | Bryn Mawr

For Social Work

#59 in North America

#99 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Average SAT: 1388
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $39,072

56. San Diego State University

California | San Diego

For Social Work

#60 in North America

#112 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Receiving Aid: 98%
Average Aid: $9,934
Enrollment: 37,402

57. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

Indiana | Indianapolis

For Social Work

#61 in North America

#113 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Average SAT: 1150
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 91%

58. University of Maryland - Baltimore County

Maryland | Baltimore

For Social Work

#62 in North America

#115 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1300
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 94%

59. University of Louisville

Kentucky | Louisville

For Social Work

#63 in North America

#116 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1170
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 98%

60. Indiana University - Bloomington

Indiana | Bloomington

For Social Work

#64 in North America

#117 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 83%

61. University of Hartford

Connecticut | West Hartford

For Social Work

#65 in North America

#118 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 26
Net Price: $31,687

62. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Louisiana | Baton Rouge

For Social Work

#66 in North America

#119 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 98%

63. Florida International University

Florida | Miami

For Social Work

#67 in North America

#120 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Average SAT: 1155
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 91%

64. Harvard University

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Social Work

#68 in North America

#122 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $19,491

65. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For Social Work

#70 in North America

#128 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $18,647

66. Temple University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Social Work

#71 in North America

#130 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $11,575
Enrollment: 33,196

67. University of Oklahoma - Norman

Oklahoma State | Norman

For Social Work

#72 in North America

#133 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

68. Brigham Young University - Provo

For Social Work

#73 in North America

#136 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Average SAT: 1374
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $13,521

69. University of South Florida

Florida | Tampa

For Social Work

#75 in North America

#138 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 90%

70. Syracuse University

New York State | Syracuse

For Social Work

#76 in North America

#144 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 52%
Average SAT: 1345
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $43,651

71. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Wisconsin | Milwaukee

For Social Work

#77 in North America

#145 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average ACT: 21
Receiving Aid: 85%
Average Aid: $5,963

72. University of Central Florida

Florida | Orlando

For Social Work

#78 in North America

#146 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 41%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 96%

73. Howard University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Social Work

#79 in North America

#150 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 53%
Average SAT: 1170
Average ACT: 23
Net Price: $28,279

74. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

New York State | New York City

For Social Work

#80 in North America

#151 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Enrollment: 1,253
Male:Female: 40:60
Founded: 1963

75. Florida Atlantic University

Florida | Boca Raton

For Social Work

#81 in North America

#152 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1110
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 92%

76. Simmons University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Social Work

#82 in North America

#153 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1295
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $24,423

77. Binghamton University

New York State | Vestal

For Social Work

#83 in North America

#154 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 80%

78. Western Michigan University

Michigan | Kalamazoo

For Social Work

#84 in North America

#155 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1105
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 94%

79. East Carolina University

North Carolina | Greenville

For Social Work

#85 in North America

#157 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Receiving Aid: 80%
Average Aid: $9,020
Enrollment: 27,151

80. University of California - San Francisco

California | San Francisco

For Social Work

#86 in North America

#158 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Enrollment: 3,140
Male:Female: 35:65
Founded: 1864

81. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania | University Park

For Social Work

#87 in North America

#159 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1300
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 68%

82. University of Nevada - Las Vegas

Nevada | Las Vegas

For Social Work

#88 in North America

#160 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1110
Average ACT: 21
Receiving Aid: 96%

83. California State University - Long Beach

California | Long Beach

For Social Work

#89 in North America

#163 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Receiving Aid: 80%
Average Aid: $9,478
Enrollment: 38,973

84. University of North Carolina at Charlotte

North Carolina | Charlotte

For Social Work

#91 in North America

#167 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 75%

85. California University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | California

For Social Work

#92 in North America

#169 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Receiving Aid: 95%
Average Aid: $6,250
Enrollment: 6,885

86. Georgia State University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Social Work

#93 in North America

#171 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Average SAT: 1135
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 95%

87. Washington State University

Washington | Pullman

For Social Work

#94 in North America

#172 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Receiving Aid: 88%
Average Aid: $10,689
Enrollment: 27,539

88. Baylor University

For Social Work

#95 in North America

#173 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Average SAT: 1320
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $45,988

89. Tulane University of Louisiana

Louisiana | New Orleans

For Social Work

#96 in North America

#175 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $50,263

90. St Catherine University

Minnesota | Saint Paul

For Social Work

#99 in North America

#180 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1303
Average ACT: 22
Net Price: $19,976

91. George Mason University

Virginia | Fairfax

For Social Work

#100 in North America

#184 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Average SAT: 1245
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 80%

92. Albany State University

Georgia | Albany

For Social Work

#102 in North America

#204 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $11,026
Enrollment: 6,334

93. West Virginia University

West Virginia | Morgantown

For Social Work

#103 in North America

#206 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1110
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 97%

94. Lehman College, CUNY

New York State | New York City

For Social Work

#104 in North America

#207 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $10,412
Enrollment: 13,015

95. Texas State University

Texas | San Marcos

For Social Work

#105 in North America

#208 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1080
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 83%

96. Missouri State University - Springfield

Missouri | Springfield

For Social Work

#106 in North America

#209 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1102
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 100%

97. University of Northern Iowa

Iowa State | Cedar Falls

For Social Work

#107 in North America

#210 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1175
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 89%

98. Barry University

Florida | Miami

For Social Work

#108 in North America

#211 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Net Price: $20,207
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $24,466

99. University of North Carolina at Greensboro

North Carolina | Greensboro

For Social Work

#109 in North America

#212 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Average SAT: 1195
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 91%

100. Stony Brook University

New York State | Stony Brook

For Social Work

#110 in North America

#213 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1410
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 88%

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

Psychology subfields in the United States

Child Psychology910

Clinical Psychology766

Cognitive Science750

Education Majors1036

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution282

Neuroscience1080

Occupational Therapy260

Organizational / Business / IO Psychology281

Social Psychology1186

Special Education362