2026 Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Social Work master’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 864 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor reviewed schools to produce 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Our analysis found University Of California Berkeley to be the best Social Work school in the United States. University Of California Berkeley is a public school based in Berkeley, CA. University Of California Berkeley posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. University Of California Berkeley Social Work students take on a median of $13,719 in debt. Get the full University Of California Berkeley report
You'll be in good company at St Catherine University, which ranked #2 this year. Set in Saint Paul, MN, St Catherine University is a private not-for-profit institution. St Catherine University posts a six-year graduation rate of 61%. Students from in state pay about $38,428 in tuition and fees. The median Social Work program debt is $30,912. See the full St Catherine University profile
You'll be in good company at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #3 this year. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical Social Work student debt is $16,097. More on University Of California Los Angeles
A rank of #4 makes University Of Maryland Baltimore one of the top choices in the United States. This public school is set in Baltimore, MD. Students from in state pay about $13,638 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,811. The median Social Work program debt is $21,500. Read more about University Of Maryland Baltimore
A rank of #5 makes San Jose State University one of the top choices in the United States. This public school is set in San Jose, CA. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Read more about San Jose State University
University Of Southern California came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. See the full University Of Southern California profile
University Of Chicago placed #7 among Social Work schools in the United States. Set in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Typical Social Work student debt is $15,854. See the full University Of Chicago profile
University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #8 in this year's ranking. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Paul, MN. About 77% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $54,398. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete their Social Work program here. More on University Of St Thomas Minnesota
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Based in Tacoma, WA, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Students borrow a median of $17,396 to complete their Social Work program here. Get the full University Of Washington Tacoma Campus report
University Of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #10 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. About 96% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
University Of Nevada Reno landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. University Of Nevada Reno is a public school based in Reno, NV. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,578, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. University Of Nevada Reno Social Work students take on a median of $17,905 in debt. Read more about University Of Nevada Reno
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Based in Mankato, MN, Minnesota State University Mankato is a public institution. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates 54% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. The median Social Work program debt is $24,250. See the full Minnesota State University Mankato profile
California State University Stanislaus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Social Work schools. Set in Turlock, CA, California State University Stanislaus is a public institution. California State University Stanislaus posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. California State University Stanislaus Social Work students take on a median of $14,813 in debt. Read more about California State University Stanislaus
California State University Fresno ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Social Work schools. This public school is set in Fresno, CA. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. The median Social Work program debt is $12,000. More on California State University Fresno
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Social Work schools. Located in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. The University Of Texas At Austin Social Work students take on a median of $21,506 in debt. Read more about The University Of Texas At Austin
Columbia University In The City Of New York did well this year, earning the #16 position. Located in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. The median Social Work program debt is $23,258. Read the full report on Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor did well this year, earning the #17 position. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public school based in Ann Arbor, MI. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete their Social Work program here. Read the full report on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
California State University East Bay landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Based in Hayward, CA, California State University East Bay is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete their Social Work program here. Get the full California State University East Bay report
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #19 among Social Work schools in the United States. This public school is set in Seattle, WA. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. The median Social Work program debt is $17,396. Get the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus report
California State University Monterey Bay came in at #20 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Seaside, CA. About 59% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $7,779 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,379 for out-of-state students. Typical Social Work student debt is $14,622. Read the full report on California State University Monterey Bay
Washington University In St Louis placed #21 among Social Work schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in St. Louis, MO. About 94% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. The median Social Work program debt is $17,553. Read the full report on Washington University In St Louis
University Of North Dakota placed #22 among Social Work schools in the United States. Based in Grand Forks, ND, University Of North Dakota is a public institution. University Of North Dakota posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. The median Social Work program debt is $26,000. Get the full University Of North Dakota report
Boston University placed #23 among Social Work schools in the United States. Based in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Typical Social Work student debt is $25,232. Read more about Boston University
New York University landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. Set in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. New York University posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. New York University Social Work students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. Get the full New York University report
California State University Long Beach landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. California State University Long Beach is a public school based in Long Beach, CA. California State University Long Beach posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. The median Social Work program debt is $11,276. Read the full report on California State University Long Beach
Rest of the Top 50 Best Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #26 among Social Work schools in the United States. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public school based in Minneapolis, MN. About 85% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Social Work schools. This public school is set in Champaign, IL. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. The median Social Work program debt is $19,344. Get the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign report
Boston College placed #28 among Social Work schools in the United States. Based in Chestnut Hill, MA, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. Boston College posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. In-state tuition and fees average $70,702. Students borrow a median of $18,101 to complete their Social Work program here. See the full Boston College profile
Salisbury University placed #29 among Social Work schools in the United States. This public school is set in Salisbury, MD. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,084, with out-of-state students paying around $22,174. Students borrow a median of $23,552 to complete their Social Work program here. Get the full Salisbury University report
Smith College came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Set in Northampton, MA, Smith College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,178. Typical Social Work student debt is $18,941. See the full Smith College profile
University Of Wisconsin Madison did well this year, earning the #31 position. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school based in Madison, WI. University Of Wisconsin Madison posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. The median Social Work program debt is $21,398. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison
San Francisco State University landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Located in San Francisco, CA, San Francisco State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $17,259 in student loans. Get the full San Francisco State University report
Augsburg College came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Augsburg College is a private not-for-profit school based in Minneapolis, MN. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,452. Typical Social Work student debt is $25,737. Read the full report on Augsburg College
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill did well this year, earning the #34 position. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public school based in Chapel Hill, NC. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill Social Work students take on a median of $15,117 in debt. More on University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Fort Hays State University landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Hays, KS. About 46% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Fort Hays State University Social Work students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Get the full Fort Hays State University report
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Located in Whitewater, WI, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Graduates carry a median of $25,912 in student loans. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Whitewater report
Case Western Reserve University ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Social Work schools. Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cleveland, OH. About 87% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $66,608 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $25,106 in student loans. Get the full Case Western Reserve University report
Bryn Mawr College did well this year, earning the #38 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bryn Mawr, PA. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,920. Students borrow a median of $23,069 to complete their Social Work program here. Read more about Bryn Mawr College
California State University Sacramento ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Social Work schools. Set in Sacramento, CA, California State University Sacramento is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. See the full California State University Sacramento profile
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Set in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. The median Social Work program debt is $25,000. Get the full Rutgers University New Brunswick report
Erikson Institute landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Set in Chicago, IL, Erikson Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Erikson Institute
Yeshiva University came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Based in New York, NY, Yeshiva University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,800. Graduates carry a median of $20,625 in student loans. Read more about Yeshiva University
Texas Christian University landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. Based in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,740. The median Social Work program debt is $24,000. See the full Texas Christian University profile
Auburn University placed #44 among Social Work schools in the United States. This public school is set in Auburn, AL. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. The median Social Work program debt is $22,069. Read the full report on Auburn University
Azusa Pacific University did well this year, earning the #45 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Azusa, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. In-state tuition and fees run about $44,458. The median Social Work program debt is $24,643. Read more about Azusa Pacific University
Saint Cloud State University placed #46 among Social Work schools in the United States. This public school is set in Saint Cloud, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. The median Social Work program debt is $27,996. See the full Saint Cloud State University profile
Alvernia University placed #47 among Social Work schools in the United States. Located in Reading, PA, Alvernia University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. In-state tuition and fees average $45,000. The median Social Work program debt is $41,574. Read the full report on Alvernia University
The College Of Saint Scholastica came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Located in Duluth, MN, The College Of Saint Scholastica is a private not-for-profit institution. The College Of Saint Scholastica graduates 70% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $41,778. Typical Social Work student debt is $37,059. Get the full The College Of Saint Scholastica report
Saginaw Valley State University ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Social Work schools. Based in University Center, MI, Saginaw Valley State University is a public institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,930, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Typical Social Work student debt is $31,000. Read more about Saginaw Valley State University
Widener University Main Campus landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Widener University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit school based in Chester, PA. Widener University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,730. The median Social Work program debt is $30,750. Get the full Widener University Main Campus report
Related Social Work Rankings
See rankings for 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Social Work Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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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