What can I do with a social work major?–

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.

Is social work a good major?–

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.

What courses will I take as a social work major?–

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

What jobs can I do with a social work major?–

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: Social Workers. Social and Human Service Assistants. Health Educators and Community Health Workers. Marriage and Family Therapists. Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists. Rehabilitation Counselors. School and Career Counselors. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors

Is a research university right for me?–

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students. Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines. Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you? If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel. Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well. Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Is an online college right for me?–

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available. Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degrees you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no distinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online. Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whether you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college. Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands. Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain. Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands of balancing work and life, or because the online college affords them the chance to attend a better school without moving. If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are asynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc. The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors. Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions. If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Social Work Degrees

Q: Is a liberal arts college right for me?–

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree. Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students. Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom). Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships and make walks across campus more fun. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers. Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

Badge for BEST FOR SOCIAL WORK LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES

By Dr. James Barham

Published: Nov 9, 2021
Updated: Nov 27, 2023

The best social work liberal arts colleges 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.

Top 10 Liberal Arts Colleges Social Work Programs

San Francisco State University
Hunter College
Savannah State University
Tuskegee University
Southern University at New Orleans
Ashland University
Skidmore College
Niagara University
South Carolina State University
Alliance University

Hunter College
San Francisco State University
Tuskegee University
California State University, Long Beach
Earlham College
University of Portland
Shaw University
Southern University
Hope College
Alabama State University

Alliance University 100%
Alabama State University 97%
San Francisco State University 94%
Southern University at New Orleans 94%
University of Portland 93%
Salem State University 93%
Minot State University 93%
Loras College 90%
Niagara University 90%
Norfolk State University 89%

California State University, Long Beach 22 to 1
Savannah State University 21 to 1
San Francisco State University 19 to 1
Southern University 18 to 1
Norfolk State University 18 to 1
South Carolina State University 17 to 1
Virginia Union University 17 to 1
Alliance University 15 to 1
Hunter College 14 to 1
Alabama State University 14 to 1

Skidmore College $62,398
University of Portland $51,812
Earlham College $50,058
Hood College $44,500
Meredith College $42,540
Abilene Christian University $40,500
Hope College $38,370
Niagara University $37,180
Loras College $36,570
Alliance University $27,500

University of Portland $24,804
Abilene Christian University $24,174
Tuskegee University $20,378
Earlham College $17,863
Alliance University $14,400
Niagara University $14,040
Loras College $13,410
Meredith College $13,357
Virginia Union University $11,275
Hunter College $11,090

California State University, Long Beach
Abilene Christian University
Norfolk State University
University of Portland
Salem State University
Southern University
Loras College
Alabama State University
Minot State University
Shaw University

Alliance University
Southern University at New Orleans
Hood College
Minot State University
Loras College
South Carolina State University
Savannah State University
Salem State University
Norfolk State University
Abilene Christian University

Skidmore College 26%
Tuskegee University 30%
California State University, Long Beach 40%
Hunter College 48%
Southern University 54%
Shaw University 61%
Abilene Christian University 66%
Ashland University 72%
Earlham College 73%
Meredith College 73%

Earlham College 6 to 1
Tuskegee University 7 to 1
Skidmore College 8 to 1
University of Portland 9 to 1
Minot State University 10 to 1
Meredith College 10 to 1
Ashland University 11 to 1
Hood College 11 to 1
Hope College 11 to 1
Niagara University 11 to 1

Salem State University $910
Savannah State University $4,064
Southern University at New Orleans $4,483
Southern University $4,973
California State University, Long Beach $5,742
San Francisco State University $5,742
Norfolk State University $5,752
Hunter College $6,930
Alabama State University $8,328
Minot State University $8,508

Salem State University $2,520
Savannah State University $4,686
Southern University $5,336
Southern University at New Orleans $6,024
California State University, Long Beach $7,176
San Francisco State University $7,176
Alabama State University $7,416
Ashland University $7,656
Norfolk State University $8,820
Hood College $9,000

Key Takeaways

A social work degree program leads you a career that focuses on helping society.
As a general rule, social workers assist people with everyday problems in roles like school administrators, child welfare and human service workers, and addiction treatment professionals.
Due to the projected growth of 9% in the coming decade, earning a social work degree can lead to an excellent career path.

Table of Contents

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.

Human well-being is a primary goal of social work. 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.

The demand for competent social workers grows along with the population’s growth. Also, external circumstances and universal human struggles impact such demands. The social worker employment landscape is expected to grow 9 percent from 2021 to 2031, driven by the rising need for mental health and addiction services. Similarly, social workers are also in high demand in the healthcare sector.

Featured Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About Social Work Bachelor’s Degrees

Related: How to Major in Social Work

Frequently Asked Questions About Research Universities, Liberal Arts Colleges, Online Colleges

In pursuing a bachelor’s degree, you will need to choose between three kinds of schools: research universities, liberal arts colleges, and online colleges.

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students.

Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines.

Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you? If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel.

Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well.
Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Learn more about research universities by reading about the best research universities in the US.

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree.

Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students.

Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom).

Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships and make walks across campus more fun. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers.

Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

Learn more about liberal arts colleges by reading about the best liberal arts colleges in the US.

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available.

Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degrees you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no distinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online.

Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whether you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college.

Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands.

Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain.

Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands of balancing work and life, or because the online college affords them the chance to attend a better school without moving.

If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are asynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc.

The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors.

Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions.

If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

If you think a research university may be a better fit for you, see our ranking of the best research universities for a bachelor’s in social work.

How do we determine the best social work liberal arts colleges?

Methodology

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great. This is why we rank the best colleges and universities based on what we call “Influence”.

The influence of a college or university is based on the schools’s top academic influencers related to the discipline in this ranking. We track the influence of faculty and alumni affiliate with these school counting not only the publications and citations of the school’s affiliated people, but we also consider the overall web presence of the faculty and alumni. The greater the citations, authority of web links, web searches, and page views, the greater the individuals’s influence. Those combined make up the departments’s influence in the field of study. We believe tracking the academic influence of the people affiliated with a school is the best indicator of academic excellence.

If you are serious about finding the best colleges and universities, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching, and whether their graduates themselves are advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence. Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and misused performance metrics. Influence, as measured by our InfluenceRanking engine, provides a ranking that is more insulated from manipulation, and more reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

Ranking: Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Programs

Career Outlook for Students with Social Work Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

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

Career	Job Growth	Avg. Salary
Social and Community Service Managers	9.08%	$69,922
Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary	3.87%	$68,936
Social Workers, All Other	6.58%	$59,282
Healthcare Social Workers	9.61%	$57,884
Marriage and Family Therapists	14.89%	$56,093
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists	2.45%	$54,920
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers	10.57%	$50,894
Child, Family, and School Social Workers	5.35%	$49,575
Counselors, All Other	17.30%	$47,478

Average Career Salaries

Bottom 10%	Median	Top 10%
$40,604	$60,163	$90,112

Promising Job Markets

State	Cost of Living	Avg. Salary
#2 Michigan	15% higher than average	$61,990
#3 North Carolina	11% higher than average	$61,594
#4 Minnesota	4% higher than average	$65,555
#5 New York	5% higher than average	$71,319
#6 Virginia	5% higher than average	$64,262
#7 New Jersey	13% higher than average	$76,230
#8 Pennsylvania	5% higher than average	$63,796
#9 Kansas	9% higher than average	$60,810
#10 Ohio	14% higher than average	$57,068
#11 Texas	10% higher than average	$59,243
#12 Louisiana	9% higher than average	$59,467
#13 Washington	7% higher than average	$70,055
#14 North Dakota	average	$65,158
#15 Oklahoma	13% higher than average	$56,255
#16 Illinois	7% higher than average	$60,019
#17 Iowa	9% higher than average	$58,035
#18 Georgia	13% higher than average	$55,335
#19 Kentucky	14% higher than average	$54,544
#20 Indiana	11% higher than average	$56,472
#21 Nevada	5% higher than average	$66,108
#22 South Dakota	7% higher than average	$58,174
#23 New Mexico	7% higher than average	$57,772
#24 Wisconsin	7% higher than average	$57,697
#25 Rhode Island	20% higher than average	$73,506
#26 Tennessee	14% higher than average	$52,533
#27 Alabama	13% higher than average	$52,717
#28 South Carolina	8% higher than average	$55,786
#29 West Virginia	11% higher than average	$53,736
#30 Connecticut	18% higher than average	$70,633
#31 Utah	4% higher than average	$56,628
#32 Arizona	5% higher than average	$55,820
#33 Oregon	11% higher than average	$64,868
#34 Colorado	3% higher than average	$60,249
#35 Florida	6% higher than average	$54,581
#36 Idaho	7% higher than average	$53,470
#37 Mississippi	18% higher than average	$47,284
#38 Arkansas	16% higher than average	$48,090
#39 Nebraska	6% higher than average	$53,354
#40 Missouri	16% higher than average	$47,711
#41 Maine	9% higher than average	$61,318
#42 New Hampshire	13% higher than average	$63,019
#43 California	26% higher than average	$70,112
#44 Maryland	18% higher than average	$65,404
#45 Delaware	2% higher than average	$55,552
#46 Wyoming	2% higher than average	$53,048
#47 District of Columbia	49% higher than average	$79,039
#48 Massachusetts	24% higher than average	$65,420
#49 Vermont	13% higher than average	$59,117
#50 Hawaii	40% higher than average	$70,715
#51 Montana	3% higher than average	$48,873
#52 Alaska	23% higher than average	$61,344

Top Industries

Industry	Avg. Salary
Social and Community Service Managers	$69,922
Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary	$68,936
Social Workers, All Other	$59,282
Healthcare Social Workers	$57,884
Marriage and Family Therapists	$56,093
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists	$54,920
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers	$50,894
Child, Family, and School Social Workers	$49,575
Counselors, All Other	$47,478

Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Department of Education College Scorecard, The Department of Education NCES, and The Council for Community and Economic Research.

Go to all Liberal Arts Colleges for Social Work programs

Learn More About Social Work

If you want to know more about social work, then check out our related content:

Learn how to major in social work
Think about your next step and what you can do with a master’s degree in religious studies

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here

Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Social Work Degrees

Top 10 Liberal Arts Colleges Social Work Programs

Key Takeaways

Featured Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About Social Work Bachelor’s Degrees

What can I do with a social work major?

Is social work a good major?

What courses will I take as a social work major?

What jobs can I do with a social work major?

Ranking: Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Programs

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at San Francisco State University

Most Influential Alumni

SFSU Social Work Major:

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at Hunter College

Most Influential Alumni

Hunter College Social Work Major:

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at Savannah State University

Most Influential Alumni

SSU Social Work Major:

Savannah State University’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at Tuskegee University

Most Influential Alumni

TU Social Work Major:

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at Southern University at New Orleans

SUNO Social Work Major:

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at Ashland University

Most Influential Alumni

Ashland University Social Work Major:

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at Skidmore College

Most Influential Alumni

Skidmore College Social Work Major:

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at Niagara University

Most Influential Alumni

Niagara University Social Work Major:

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at South Carolina State University

Most Influential Alumni

SCSU Social Work Major:

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at Alliance University

Most Influential Alumni

Nyack College Social Work Major:

Alliance University ’s Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at Earlham College

Most Influential Alumni

Earlham College Social Work Major:

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at Hope College

Most Influential Alumni

Hope College Social Work Major:

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at Virginia Union University

Most Influential Alumni

VUU Social Work Major:

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at Meredith College

Most Influential Alumni

Meredith College Social Work Major:

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at Hood College

Most Influential Alumni

Hood College Social Work Major:

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at Shaw University

Most Influential Alumni

Shaw University Social Work Major:

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at Minot State University

Most Influential Alumni

MSU Social Work Major:

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at Alabama State University

Most Influential Alumni

ASU Social Work Major:

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at Loras College

Most Influential Alumni

Loras College Social Work Major:

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at Southern University

Most Influential Alumni