Why This Matters
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DEMAND FOR SOCIAL WORKERS IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE BY 9%
Skilled child, family, school, health care, and mental health social workers are needed to assist individuals, families, and educational institutions throughout the United States.
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SOCIAL WORKERS MAKE $50,390 PER YEAR
The median annual wage for social workers is higher than the $45,760 median salary for all occupations.
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64,000 MORE SOCIAL WORKERS ARE NEEDED BY 2031
People from all backgrounds and age groups will rely on social workers who can drive change, provide counseling, and help improve their quality of life. There will be an estimated 772,100 social workers in the U.S. by the end of the next decade.
Our Research
This list features some of the best social work degree programs at top colleges across the country. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. The programs on our list are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), a national organization that assesses social work programs for educational excellence and a commitment to quality education.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for on-campus students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of social work degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
The Top 50 Social Work Degree Programs

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What You Should Know About This Degree
When choosing a career path focused on helping others, you should also consider pursuing an undergraduate degree in psychology. While both programs focus on human behavior and well-being, the field of psychology focuses closely on mental health. Social workers provide counseling and work with individuals and groups to identify and implement solutions that help them deal with problems. Psychologists work most frequently with individuals and use diagnostic testing to uncover and treat specific issues. Both social work and psychology require students to complete a master’s degree and licensure to practice and treat patients legally. Licensing for social workers is provided by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB).
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) offers certifications that provide graduates with specialized training in different social work areas. Certifications also help graduates demonstrate their expertise for potential employers. Students should consider obtaining certifications such as Certified Social Work Case Manager, Certified Advanced Social Work Case Manager, and Certified Clinical Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs Social Worker. Certain credentials such as the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW) and Diplomate in Clinical Social Work (DCSW) certifications require NASW membership.
The job outlook for social workers over the next decade is positive. The demand for mental health and substance abuse social workers is projected to grow by 17%, which is significantly higher than the predicted job growth for all other occupations.
What’s Next?
Ask yourself these questions when researching degree programs in social work:
- Am I eligible for this program? Students from all educational backgrounds can pursue an undergraduate degree in social work. Most programs require students to hold a high school diploma or GED. Some programs may also require a minimum GPA and standardized test scores.
- How long does it take to complete this online degree? Undergraduate programs in social work take four years of full-time study. Many aspiring professionals will also pursue a two-year master’s degree program. The programs on our list require 120 credits to graduate.
Entry requirements and application deadlines vary for each program. Visit the school’s website or contact the admissions department for detailed information about the program to which you’re applying.
Consider how you’ll cover the cost of your education. Funding opportunities include scholarships, grants, and work-study programs. You might also be eligible for federal funds; submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to find out.