Best Colleges and Universities for Social Work Degrees

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The best social work degree programs are those with rich histories of influence, proven through the work produced by the program’s faculty and alumni. Beyond demonstrating scholarly impact in the field, the best social work degree programs maximize your opportunities to interact with outstanding social work faculty.

A bachelor’s degree in social work is an excellent starting point for a career in counseling, case work, rehabilitation, and numerous other important areas of public health and welfare. As a social work major, you’ll learn about the administration of social services, distribution of resources for social welfare, and public outreach to vulnerable groups. As a social worker, you’ll be working closely with communities, populations, families and individuals who are facing challenge, disadvantage, and crisis. The best schools for social work are those which are regionally accredited, which offer a full array of social work concentrations, and which give you the chance to work with the best and most influential professors and classmates.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Social Work Bachelor’s Degrees

Social work covers a lot of ground. Your degree in social work could lead down any number of professional paths. Whether you see yourself in addiction counseling, community organization, health policy analysis, children’s protective services or beyond, there are countless different ways to channel your social work degree education into a career. And if you continue into a master’s degree program, you could become a licensed social worker in a clinical setting like a hospital or mental health facility.

Social workers have a profound impact on the lives they touch. Through methods like outreach, activism, and policy development, social work majors have the opportunity to change the lives of many for the better. Today, top influencers in social work are making strides in Children’s Care, Disability Rights, Substance Use Disorders, and much more.

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Social work is a popular major because it can provide a pathway into several high-demand fields and career opportunities. With so many vulnerable Americans facing unprecedented challenges today, the need for qualified social workers has never been greater. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of social work jobs is expected to grow at a remarkable rate of 13% by 2029. With 90,700 new jobs expected during that time, opportunities abound for professional social workers. If you’re looking for a well-paying and secure job, a social work degree is a great place to start.

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Once you’ve declared your major in social work, you will likely be required to complete a set of core courses in a number of public health and service-related subject areas. While your concentration will give you a chance to choose from a wide range of highly-specialized social work electives, there are several common courses that most social work majors will be required to take, including:

  • Race and Justice
  • Social Work Research Methods
  • Social Psychology
  • Community Organizing
  • Public Health Outreach
  • Social Services Administration
  • Addiction Counseling
  • Family and Youth Intervention
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The high-growth field of social work offers a wide range of professional opportunities. If you wish to become a licensed social worker in a clinical setting, you will likely need to earn your advanced degree from a graduate school with accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). However, there are a number of rewarding contexts for practicing outreach, case management, counseling and intervention with an undergraduate degree. Depending on your skills, interests and desired workplace setting, you have plenty of options, including these top jobs:

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The Best Colleges and Universities for Social Work Degrees

Best Social Work Major Research Universities

  1. University of Pennsylvania
  2. University of Chicago
  3. University of California, Berkeley
  4. New York University
  5. University of Texas at Austin

Go to The Best Social Work Major Research Universities

Best Social Work Major Liberal Arts Colleges

  1. College of the Ozarks
  2. Southern University at New Orleans
  3. Minot State University
  4. Southwestern Assemblies of God University
  5. Columbia International University

Go to The Best Social Work Major Liberal Arts Colleges

Best Social Work Major Online Colleges

  1. Wayne State University
  2. Portland State University
  3. Simmons University
  4. Aurora University
  5. University of Iowa

Go to The Best Online Bachelor’s in Social Work Degree Programs

Career Outlook for Students with Social Work Degree

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Social Work

Degree Level: Bachelor's

  • Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
  • Avg. Starting Salary*: $33,985
  • Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $43,439
  • * denotes ‘annually’

Career Salaries

CareerJob GrowthAvg. Salary
Social and Community Service Managers9.08%$69,922
Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary3.87%$68,936
Social Workers, All Other6.58%$59,282
Healthcare Social Workers9.61%$57,884
Marriage and Family Therapists14.89%$56,093

Average Career Salaries

Bottom 10%MedianTop 10%
$40,604$60,163$90,112

Promising Job Markets

StateCost of LivingAvg. Salary
#2 Michigan15% higher than average$61,990
#3 North Carolina11% higher than average$61,594
#4 Minnesota4% higher than average$65,555
#5 New York5% higher than average$71,319
#6 Virginia5% higher than average$64,262

Top Industries

IndustryAvg. Salary
Social and Community Service Managers$69,922
Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary$68,936
Social Workers, All Other$59,282

The Best Social Work Schools in Your State

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