Best institutions to study Social Work
Any program providing instruction in social work and related services not listed above.
31 U.S. institutions graduated 556 Social Work students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 44.0799, a specialization of Social Work (CIP 44.07), and leads most directly to the Healthcare Social Workers occupation (BLS SOC 21-1022).
About Social Work programs
Any program providing instruction in social work and related services not listed above.
See also: 51.1503 - Clinical/Medical Social Work.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Social Work program focuses on providing instruction in social work and related services, preparing students to support individuals and communities in need. This program is ideal for those interested in making a positive impact on society through advocacy, counseling, and community service.
Students in this program will develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework covers knowledge areas including psychology, sociology, and counseling techniques, equipping graduates to address diverse client needs.
Credentials awarded
What Social Work graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Postbaccalaureate certificate266 graduates / yr · 11 institutions48%
- Post-master's certificate107 graduates / yr · 3 institutions19%
- Master's degree59 graduates / yr · 5 institutions11%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year53 graduates / yr · 8 institutions9.5%
- Associate's degree43 graduates / yr · 5 institutions7.7%
- Bachelor's degree18 graduates / yr · 3 institutions3.2%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years7 graduates / yr · 4 institutions1.3%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.5%
Graduates over time
Social Work completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 278 |
| 2013 | 479 |
| 2014 | 500 |
| 2015 | 539 |
| 2016 | 547 |
| 2017 | 588 |
| 2018 | 421 |
| 2019 | 498 |
| 2020 | 359 |
| 2021 | 424 |
| 2022 | 486 |
| 2023 | 578 |
| 2024 | 597 |
| 2025 | 556 |
Top 31 institutions for Social Work, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TNPublicPost-degree cert. | 145 | 74% | — | $37,730 |
| 2 | Yeshiva University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 103 | 83% | $39,696 | — |
| 3 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicPost-degree cert. | 73 | 75% | — | $39,285 |
| 4 | Athens Technical College Athens, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 24 | 51% | — | — |
| 5 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicMaster's | 21 | 85% | — | $40,969 |
| 6 | Southern Regional Technical College Thomasville, GAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 19 | 31% | — | — |
| 7 | University of Pikeville Pikeville, KYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 18 | 42% | $13,886 | — |
| 8 | Georgia Northwestern Technical College Rome, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 16 | 43% | — | — |
| 9 | Indiana Wesleyan University - Marion Marion, INPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 67% | $21,351 | $36,722 |
| 10 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KYPublicPost-degree cert. | 12 | 56% | — | $34,748 |
| 11 | Cedar Crest College Allentown, PAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 60% | $22,721 | — |
| 12 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Metro San Juan, PRPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 12 | 39% | $10,446 | — |
| 13 | Carlow University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master'sBachelor's | 11 | 60% | $19,953 | — |
| 14 | Marquette University Milwaukee, WIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 83% | $25,376 | $37,494 |
| 15 | Grambling State University Grambling, LAPublicPost-degree cert. | 8 | 36% | — | $26,980 |
| 16 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 68% | — | $39,842 |
| 17 | Gallaudet University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 47% | $14,382 | $31,903 |
| 18 | University of Memphis Memphis, TNPublicPost-degree cert. | 7 | 51% | — | $36,220 |
| 19 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 6 | 89% | $21,956 | — |
| 20 | Butler County Community College Butler, PAPublicAssociate's | 5 | 37% | — | — |
| 21 | Muskegon Community College Muskegon, MIPublicAssociate's | 4 | 28% | — | — |
| 22 | Pima Community College Tucson, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 28% | — | — |
| 23 | California State University - San Bernardino San Bernardino, CAPublicMaster's | 3 | 55% | — | $39,145 |
| 24 | Sacred Heart University Fairfield, CTPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 3 | 73% | $42,705 | — |
| 25 | University of Wyoming Laramie, WYPublicPost-degree cert. | 3 | 59% | — | — |
| 26 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 92% | $26,873 | — |
| 27 | University of St Francis Joliet, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 67% | $15,591 | — |
| 28 | Bristol Community College Fall River, MAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 22% | — | — |
| 29 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MOPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 58% | — | $35,544 |
| 30 | George Fox University Newberg, ORPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 2 | 72% | $26,564 | $27,755 |
| 31 | Millersville University of Pennsylvania Millersville, PAPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 58% | — | $33,119 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Social Work field (CIP 44.07) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 21 states & territories
Where Social Work graduates come from. Each state links to all Social Work programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 21-1022, Healthcare Social Workers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Social Work program can pursue various careers, including healthcare social workers and mental health professionals. With a median wage of $68,090 and an expected growth rate of 7.7%, the field offers approximately 18,400 annual job openings, typically requiring a master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 44.0799
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Healthcare Social Workersprimary SOC 21-1022 | $67,880 | +7.7% Faster than average | ~18,400 | Master's degree |
Child, Family, and School Social Workers SOC 21-1021 | $59,550 | +3.4% About as fast as average | ~35,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Social and Community Service Managers SOC 11-9151 | $80,390 | +6.4% Faster than average | ~18,600 | Bachelor's degree |
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers SOC 21-1023 | $60,280 | +9.7% Much faster than average | ~13,500 | Master's degree |
Social Workers, All Other SOC 21-1029 | $71,900 | +3.9% About as fast as average | ~7,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1113 | $77,570 | +2.3% About as fast as average | ~1,300 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Social Work programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Advocate for clients or patients to resolve crises.
- Educate clients about end-of-life symptoms and options to assist them in making informed decisions.
- Collaborate with other professionals to evaluate patients' medical or physical condition and to assess client needs.
- Refer patient, client, or family to community resources to assist in recovery from mental or physical illness and to provide access to services such as financial assistance, legal aid, housing, job placement or education.
- Utilize consultation data and social work experience to plan and coordinate client or patient care and rehabilitation, following through to ensure service efficacy.
- Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress according to measurable goals described in treatment and care plan.
Tools and technology used
Other Social Work specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Social Work (CIP 44.07).
Common questions
What credentials can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a postbaccalaureate certificate, post-master's certificate, or a master's degree.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, critical thinking, active listening, and writing.
What is the job outlook for social workers?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with about 18,400 annual openings.
What types of jobs can I get with this degree?+
You can work as healthcare social workers, child and family social workers, or community service managers.
What is the CIP code for Social Work?+
Social Work is CIP 44.0799 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Social Work (CIP 44.07). NCES defines it as: Any program providing instruction in social work and related services not listed above.
How many institutions offer Social Work programs?+
31 U.S. institutions reported Social Work graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 21 states & territories, awarding 556 credentials in the year. That is 1.0% of all Social Work graduates.
How much do Social Work graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Healthcare Social Workers occupation, which Social Work most directly leads to, pays a median of $67,880 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Social Work field report median earnings of $36,722 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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