The best social work research universities 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.
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.
Back to TopSocial 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.
Back to TopOnce 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:
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:
Related: How to Major in Social Work
If you think a liberal arts college may be a better fit for you, see our ranking of the best liberal arts colleges for a bachelor’s in social work.
Tuition + fees
$62K
Acceptance
6%
Graduation
96%
Student body
28K
Median SAT/ACT
1515/34
University of Pennsylvania’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$14K
Acceptance
14%
Graduation
93%
Student body
43K
Median SAT/ACT
1420/32
University of California, Berkeley’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$57K
Acceptance
13%
Graduation
87%
Student body
49K
Median SAT/ACT
1455/32
New York University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
29%
Graduation
88%
Student body
45K
Median SAT/ACT
1340/29
University of Texas at Austin’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
53%
Graduation
84%
Student body
44K
Median SAT/ACT
1326/30
University of Washington’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
40%
Graduation
88%
Student body
39K
Median SAT/ACT
1355/31
University of Georgia’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
57%
Graduation
88%
Student body
56K
Median SAT/ACT
1320/29
Ohio State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$56K
Acceptance
58%
Graduation
83%
Student body
15K
Median SAT/ACT
1320/29
Fordham University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$60K
Acceptance
50%
Graduation
84%
Student body
20K
Median SAT/ACT
1360/31
George Washington University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
79%
Graduation
72%
Student body
35K
Median SAT/ACT
1200/27
University of Alabama’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$50K
Acceptance
57%
Graduation
82%
Student body
18K
Baylor University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$16K
Acceptance
89%
Graduation
83%
Student body
20K
Median SAT/ACT
1265/27
Miami University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
64%
Graduation
83%
Student body
61K
Median SAT/ACT
1270/29
Texas A&M University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
37%
Graduation
83%
Student body
41K
Median SAT/ACT
1285/29
Florida State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
60%
Graduation
89%
Student body
38K
Median SAT/ACT
1360/29
University of Wisconsin–Madison’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$48K
Acceptance
77%
Graduation
72%
Student body
15K
Median SAT/ACT
1230/28
Loyola University Chicago’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
38%
Graduation
76%
Student body
34K
Median SAT/ACT
1195/25
San Diego State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$52K
Acceptance
54%
Graduation
83%
Student body
11K
Median SAT/ACT
1215/28
Texas Christian University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$6K
Acceptance
35%
Graduation
55%
Student body
8K
Median SAT/ACT
1090/22
Florida A&M University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$6K
Acceptance
36%
Graduation
75%
Student body
63K
Median SAT/ACT
1250/27
University of Central Florida’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$23K
Acceptance
99%
Graduation
62%
Student body
79K
Median SAT/ACT
1145/25
Liberty University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
47%
Graduation
84%
Student body
31K
Median SAT/ACT
1320/29
North Carolina State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
64%
Graduation
67%
Student body
49K
Median SAT/ACT
1185/26
Florida International University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$18K
Acceptance
60%
Graduation
85%
Student body
55K
Median SAT/ACT
1330/30
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$30K
Acceptance
93%
Graduation
67%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1155/24
University of Detroit Mercy’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
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