2026 Best Social Work Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Social Work graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 864 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Social Work Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Leading the list is University Of California Berkeley, our #1 Social Work school in the United States. Set in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical Social Work student debt is $13,719. Read more about University Of California Berkeley
A rank of #2 makes University Of Chicago one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete their Social Work program here. Read the full report on University Of Chicago
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #3 on this year's Social Work ranking in the United States. Located in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Graduates carry a median of $23,387 in student loans. Read more about Colorado State University Fort Collins
You'll be in good company at Montclair State University, which ranked #4 this year. Based in Montclair, NJ, Montclair State University is a public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More on Montclair State University
Out of the 864 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #5 spot. Based in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. More on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #6 among Social Work schools in the United States. This public school is set in Columbia, MO. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Typical Social Work student debt is $23,119. Read the full report on University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Social Work schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Read the full report on Columbia University In The City Of New York
Yeshiva University did well this year, earning the #8 position. Yeshiva University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,800. Yeshiva University Social Work students take on a median of $20,625 in debt. Get the full Yeshiva University report
University Of Iowa did well this year, earning the #9 position. Located in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Students borrow a median of $25,180 to complete their Social Work program here. Get the full University Of Iowa report
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #10 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Indianapolis, IN. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Graduates carry a median of $16,473 in student loans. See the full Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis profile
Aurora University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Social Work schools. Set in Aurora, IL, Aurora University is a private not-for-profit institution. Aurora University posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,170. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Aurora University
Florida Atlantic University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Boca Raton, FL, Florida Atlantic University is a public institution. Florida Atlantic University graduates 63% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $19,695 to complete their Social Work program here. See the full Florida Atlantic University profile
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #13 among Social Work schools in the United States. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public school based in Pittsburgh, PA. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. The median Social Work program debt is $24,000. See the full University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus profile
University Of Denver ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Social Work schools. Based in Denver, CO, University Of Denver is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,398. Graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Denver
University Of Utah did well this year, earning the #15 position. Set in Salt Lake City, UT, University Of Utah is a public institution. University Of Utah graduates 65% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,038 to complete their Social Work program here. Read the full report on University Of Utah
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #16 among Social Work schools in the United States. Based in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates 53% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Graduates carry a median of $29,610 in student loans. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee report
University Of Nebraska At Omaha placed #17 among Social Work schools in the United States. Located in Omaha, NE, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Graduates carry a median of $19,930 in student loans. Get the full University Of Nebraska At Omaha report
University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Social Work schools. This public school is set in Columbia, SC. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates 79% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,688, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete their Social Work program here. See the full University Of South Carolina Columbia profile
University Of Wyoming placed #19 among Social Work schools in the United States. Set in Laramie, WY, University Of Wyoming is a public institution. About 59% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Graduates carry a median of $22,033 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Wyoming
Western New Mexico University did well this year, earning the #20 position. This public school is set in Silver City, NM. Western New Mexico University graduates 26% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $7,855 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,341. Typical Social Work student debt is $35,448. Read more about Western New Mexico University
University Of Kentucky did well this year, earning the #21 position. Based in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. University Of Kentucky posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. The median Social Work program debt is $26,875. Read more about University Of Kentucky
The University Of Tennessee did well this year, earning the #22 position. Based in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. The median Social Work program debt is $25,683. See the full The University Of Tennessee profile
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus did well this year, earning the #23 position. This public school is set in Norman, OK. About 75% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Social Work program here. Read more about University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
University Of North Alabama placed #24 among Social Work schools in the United States. Based in Florence, AL, University Of North Alabama is a public institution. University Of North Alabama graduates 55% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. See the full University Of North Alabama profile
Loyola University Chicago came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. About 75% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. The median Social Work program debt is $21,133. Read the full report on Loyola University Chicago
Rest of the Top 50 Best Social Work Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
University Of Alaska Anchorage came in at #26 in this year's ranking. University Of Alaska Anchorage is a public school based in Anchorage, AK. University Of Alaska Anchorage posts a six-year graduation rate of 28%. Students from in state pay about $7,738 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,322. Students borrow a median of $31,750 to complete their Social Work program here. More on University Of Alaska Anchorage
Adelphi University came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Set in Garden City, NY, Adelphi University is a private not-for-profit institution. Adelphi University posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,775. Typical Social Work student debt is $25,000. Read the full report on Adelphi University
Suny College At Brockport ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Social Work schools. Located in Brockport, NY, Suny College At Brockport is a public institution. Suny College At Brockport graduates 55% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,752, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Graduates carry a median of $23,354 in student loans. Read more about Suny College At Brockport
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #29 position. Located in Millersville, PA, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. Graduates carry a median of $27,937 in student loans. Get the full Millersville University Of Pennsylvania report
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock placed #30 among Social Work schools in the United States. This public school is set in Little Rock, AR. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock posts a six-year graduation rate of 37%. Students from in state pay about $9,911 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,721. Graduates carry a median of $26,980 in student loans. Get the full University Of Arkansas At Little Rock report
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Social Work schools. This public school is set in Durham, NH. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. In-state tuition and fees run about $19,202, while out-of-state students pay about $39,852. Typical Social Work student debt is $27,000. See the full University Of New Hampshire Main Campus profile
The University Of Texas At Arlington did well this year, earning the #32 position. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a public school based in Arlington, TX. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates 54% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. The University Of Texas At Arlington Social Work students take on a median of $21,546 in debt. Get the full The University Of Texas At Arlington report
University Of Central Florida landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Set in Orlando, FL, University Of Central Florida is a public institution. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical Social Work student debt is $22,375. See the full University Of Central Florida profile
Long Island University C W Post Campus did well this year, earning the #34 position. Long Island University C W Post Campus is a private not-for-profit school based in Brookville, NY. About 55% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,432. Students borrow a median of $25,211 to complete their Social Work program here. Read the full report on Long Island University C W Post Campus
Madonna University ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Social Work schools. Based in Livonia, MI, Madonna University is a private not-for-profit institution. Madonna University graduates 60% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $28,440. The median Social Work program debt is $25,597. Read the full report on Madonna University
Wayne State University landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Set in Detroit, MI, Wayne State University is a public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Students borrow a median of $28,012 to complete their Social Work program here. More on Wayne State University
Fayetteville State University came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Based in Fayetteville, NC, Fayetteville State University is a public institution. Fayetteville State University graduates 38% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $4,353 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. Fayetteville State University Social Work students take on a median of $32,500 in debt. See the full Fayetteville State University profile
Carlow University did well this year, earning the #38 position. More on Carlow University
Central Piedmont Community College did well this year, earning the #39 position. Read more about Central Piedmont Community College
Portland State University landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Portland State University report
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. More on University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Atlanta Christian College placed #42 among Social Work schools in the United States. Read the full report on Atlanta Christian College
Suny At Fredonia
Suny At Fredonia came in at #43 in this year's ranking. More on Suny At Fredonia
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Social Work schools. See the full The University Of Texas Pan American profile
Cedar Crest College ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Social Work schools. Read more about Cedar Crest College
Chadron State College placed #46 among Social Work schools in the United States. Read the full report on Chadron State College
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University did well this year, earning the #47 position. Read the full report on Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University
Mercy College
Mercy College placed #48 among Social Work schools in the United States. More on Mercy College
Methodist College landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Methodist College
Northwestern College Iowa landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. More on Northwestern College Iowa
Related Social Work Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Social Work Schools (All Levels)
- Best Social Work Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Social Work Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Social Work Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Social Work Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 864 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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