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Best Social Work Schools in Tennessee

2023 Best Social Work Schools in Tennessee

11 Colleges
$34,784 Avg Salary
$26,548 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Social Work School for You

In 2020-2021, social work students earned 1,237 degrees and certificates from a Tennessee school, making the subject the 8th in the state.

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Social Work Schools in Tennessee ranking. This report analyzed 11 schools in Tennessee to see which ones offered the best programs for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Social Work Schools in Tennessee

The following schools top our list of the Best Social Work Colleges.

Top 10 Best Social Work Schools

Our 2023 rankings named Middle Tennessee State University the best school in Tennessee for social work students. Located in the medium-sized city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a public school with a very large student population.

Social Work majors at Middle Tennessee State University take out an average of $24,249 in student loans while working on their egree.

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The excellent programs at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best social work schools in Tennessee. Located in the medium-sized city of Knoxville, UT Knoxville is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Social Work majors at UT Knoxville take out an average of $22,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Social Work at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Report

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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Social Work Schools in Tennessee list. Located in the medium-sized city of Chattanooga, UT Chattanooga is a public college with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, social work graduates from UT Chattanooga carry an average student debtload of $22,375.

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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Tennessee - Martin. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Social Work Schools in Tennessee list. UT Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin.

On average, social work graduates from UT Martin take out $24,410 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Social Work at The University of Tennessee - Martin Report

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#5

Southern Adventist University

Collegedale, TN

The excellent programs at Southern Adventist University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best social work schools in Tennessee. Located in the large suburb of Collegedale, Southern Adventist is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that social work majors at Southern Adventist take out is $27,000.

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#6

Union University

Jackson, TN

Union University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Social Work Schools in Tennessee ranking. Located in the city of Jackson, Union is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

While working on their degree, social work majors at Union accumulate an average of around $29,166 in student debt.

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#7

University of Memphis

Memphis, TN

With a ranking of #7, University of Memphis did quite well on this year’s best schools for social work students. UofM is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis.

The average amount in student loans that social work majors at UofM take out is $34,500. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $110.

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#8

Freed-Hardeman University

Henderson, TN

Freed-Hardeman University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Social Work Schools in Tennessee ranking. Located in the distant town of Henderson, FHU is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

On average, social work graduates from FHU take out $27,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

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#9

Tennessee State University

Nashville, TN

Tennessee State University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best social work programs. Located in the large city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

Social Work majors at Tennessee State University take out an average of $31,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

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#10

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, TN

East Tennessee State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Social Work Schools in Tennessee ranking. ETSU is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City.

Social Work majors at ETSU take out an average of $25,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

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Best Social Work Colleges in the Southeast Region

Explore all the Best Social Work Schools in the Southeast Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Georgia 753
Virginia 1,010
North Carolina 1,757
Florida 1,569
Kentucky 1,510
South Carolina 383
Louisiana 859
Arkansas 405
Alabama 1,173
Mississippi 595
West Virginia 316

One of 5 majors within the area of study, social work has other similar majors worth exploring.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Public Administration 16,905
Human Services 13,238
Public Policy 6,430
Community Organization & Advocacy 3,096
Other Public Administration 588

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 11 schools only.

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Army Medicine.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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