2026 Best Social Work Schools in the Far Western Region

1

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

Leading the list is California State University Long Beach, our #1 school for social work. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. California State University Long Beach awarded about 284 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $54,899. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $11,276 in student loans. Get the full social work details for California State University Long Beach

2

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

A rank of #2 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the top schools for social work. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 106 social work degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Graduates of the social work program make about $65,106 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,097. Read more about the social work program at University Of California Los Angeles

3

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

A rank of #3 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the top schools for social work. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. About 152 social work degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Graduates of the social work program make about $58,587 in their early career. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $13,719 in student loans. See the full social work program report for University Of California Berkeley

4

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

A rank of #4 makes University Of Southern California one of the top schools for social work. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 623 social work students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $78,196 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625. Read more about the social work program at University Of Southern California

5

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 116 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $51,333 early in their careers. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $17,396 in student loans. See the full social work program report for University Of Washington Seattle Campus

6

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 252 social work degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Social Work graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $51,629 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,000. Read more about the social work program at California State University Sacramento

7

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University landed the #7 spot for social work this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 243 social work students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. Read more about the social work program at San Jose State University

8

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton came in at #8 for social work this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 105 social work students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $64,167. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Read more about the social work program at California State University Fullerton

9

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University placed #9 among the best social work schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. About 50% of students finish within six years. San Francisco State University awarded about 69 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $70,887. Students borrow a median of $17,259 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social work from San Francisco State University

10

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University earned the #10 position for social work this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Diego State University awarded about 156 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $49,447 early in their careers. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $15,176 in student loans. More information about a degree in social work from San Diego State University

11

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles earned the #11 position for social work this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. About 377 social work degrees were awarded at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent year. Social Work graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $51,173 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000. More information about a degree in social work from California State University Los Angeles

12

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge landed the #12 spot for social work this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. California State University Northridge graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 150 social work students who graduated with this degree at California State University Northridge in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $49,320. California State University Northridge graduates carry a median of $12,449 in student loans. Read more about the social work program at California State University Northridge

13

Seattle University
Seattle, WA

Seattle University landed the #13 spot for social work this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Seattle. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 52 social work students who graduated with this degree at Seattle University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from Seattle University earn around $65,650 in the first couple years of their career. Seattle University graduates carry a median of $22,289 in student loans. More information about a degree in social work from Seattle University

14

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino landed the #14 spot for social work this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Bernardino. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 180 social work students who graduated with this degree at California State University San Bernardino in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $53,312. California State University San Bernardino graduates carry a median of $13,018 in student loans. More information about a degree in social work from California State University San Bernardino

15

University Of Portland
Portland, OR

University Of Portland earned the #15 position for social work this year. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Portland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Portland awarded about 15 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from University Of Portland earn around $54,739 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Portland graduates carry a median of $23,169 in student loans. Get the full social work details for University Of Portland

16

Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA

Point Loma Nazarene University came in at #16 for social work this year. Set in the city of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 77% of students finish within six years. About 12 social work degrees were awarded at Point Loma Nazarene University in the most recent year. Students who receive their social work degree from Point Loma Nazarene University earn around $54,116 in the first couple years of their career. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $22,542 in student loans. Get the full social work details for Point Loma Nazarene University

17

California State University Chico
Chico, CA

California State University Chico landed the #17 spot for social work this year. This large public university is located in the city of Chico. California State University Chico graduates 63% of students within six years. About 174 social work degrees were awarded at California State University Chico in the most recent year. Graduates of the social work program make about $49,751 in their early career. California State University Chico graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in social work from California State University Chico

18

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Hayward. About 48% of students finish within six years. California State University East Bay awarded about 61 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from California State University East Bay earn around $81,059 in the first couple years of their career. California State University East Bay graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Read more about the social work program at California State University East Bay

19

University Of Nevada Reno
Reno, NV

University Of Nevada Reno landed the #19 spot for social work this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Reno. University Of Nevada Reno graduates 61% of students within six years. University Of Nevada Reno awarded about 293 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $49,026. Typical student debt for the program is $17,905. More information about a degree in social work from University Of Nevada Reno

20

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills placed #20 among the best social work schools. This large public university is located in the city of Carson. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 85 social work degrees were awarded at California State University Dominguez Hills in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $66,121. Typical student debt for the program is $15,886. More information about a degree in social work from California State University Dominguez Hills

21

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno placed #21 among the best social work schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 134 social work degrees were awarded at California State University Fresno in the most recent year. Graduates of the social work program make about $48,430 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree. See the full social work program report for California State University Fresno

22

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Turlock. California State University Stanislaus graduates 53% of students within six years. California State University Stanislaus awarded about 88 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $67,567 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,813. Get the full social work details for California State University Stanislaus

23

Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA

Eastern Washington University placed #23 among the best social work schools. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. Eastern Washington University graduates 44% of students within six years. Eastern Washington University awarded about 166 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $48,298 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,109. See the full social work program report for Eastern Washington University

24

California State University Monterey Bay
Seaside, CA

California State University Monterey Bay placed #24 among the best social work schools. Set in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 51 social work students who graduated with this degree at California State University Monterey Bay in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $71,186 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,622 to complete this degree. Get the full social work details for California State University Monterey Bay

25

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Tacoma, WA

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus placed #25 among the best social work schools. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus awarded about 91 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $51,333 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,396. Read more about the social work program at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus