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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Social Work Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

65 Colleges in the United States
10,608 Social Work Degrees Awarded
$46,371 Avg Early-Career Salary

Social Work programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their social work programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 129 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for social work students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Social Work in the Middle Atlantic Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall social work education in the Middle Atlantic Region.

Top Schools in Social Work

1
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

No school ranked higher than University Of Pennsylvania this year for social work. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 192 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $74,896 in their early career. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Read more about the social work program at University Of Pennsylvania

2

University Of Maryland Baltimore came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Baltimore. University Of Maryland Baltimore awarded about 326 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $59,340 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social work from University Of Maryland Baltimore

3

Columbia University In The City Of New York is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 562 social work students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $59,891. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. More information about a degree in social work from Columbia University In The City Of New York

4
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

A rank of #4 makes New York University one of the top schools for social work. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. New York University awarded about 501 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from New York University earn around $68,944 in the first couple years of their career. New York University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about the social work program at New York University

5
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Cuny Hunter College graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 630 social work students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $51,407 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,608. Get the full social work details for Cuny Hunter College

6

Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #6 for social work this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Rutgers University New Brunswick awarded about 775 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn around $67,673 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in social work from Rutgers University New Brunswick

7

Fordham University landed the #7 spot for social work this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bronx. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 729 social work students who graduated with this degree at Fordham University in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Fordham University earn a median of $56,761 early in their careers. Fordham University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the social work program at Fordham University

8
Marist College crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Marist College came in at #8 for social work this year. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 social work students who graduated with this degree at Marist College in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Marist College earn a median of $60,521 early in their careers. Marist College graduates carry a median of $24,251 in student loans. See the full social work program report for Marist College

9

Rutgers University Newark earned the #9 position for social work this year. Set in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Rutgers University Newark awarded about 82 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Rutgers University Newark generally make around $47,081. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social work from Rutgers University Newark

10

Brookdale Community College placed #10 among the best social work schools. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. Brookdale Community College awarded about 33 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from Brookdale Community College earn around $37,374 in the first couple years of their career. Brookdale Community College graduates carry a median of $12,458 in student loans. See the full social work program report for Brookdale Community College

11

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #11 spot for social work this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 177 social work students who graduated with this degree at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in social work from West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

12

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #12 spot for social work this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 358 social work students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $47,518 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the social work program at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

13
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University came in at #13 for social work this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Syracuse. Syracuse University graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 91 social work students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse University in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $53,346 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full social work program report for Syracuse University

14
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Stony Brook University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 274 social work degrees were awarded at Stony Brook University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $51,751. Students borrow a median of $23,981 to complete this degree. Get the full social work details for Stony Brook University

15
Skidmore College crest
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Skidmore College came in at #15 for social work this year. Skidmore College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. Skidmore College graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 social work students who graduated with this degree at Skidmore College in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Skidmore College earn a median of $34,440 early in their careers. Skidmore College graduates carry a median of $18,274 in student loans. Read more about the social work program at Skidmore College

16

University Of Maryland Baltimore County placed #16 among the best social work schools. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 83 social work degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland Baltimore County in the most recent year. Graduates of the social work program make about $40,316 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500. Get the full social work details for University Of Maryland Baltimore County

17

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania placed #17 among the best social work schools. This large public university is located in the town of Bloomsburg. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 79 social work degrees were awarded at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. More information about a degree in social work from Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania

18
Adelphi University crest
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY

Adelphi University placed #18 among the best social work schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Garden City. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Adelphi University awarded about 258 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from Adelphi University earn around $55,681 in the first couple years of their career. Adelphi University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in social work from Adelphi University

19
Yeshiva University crest
Yeshiva University
New York, NY

Yeshiva University landed the #19 spot for social work this year. Set in the city of New York, Yeshiva University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Yeshiva University graduates 85% of students within six years. Yeshiva University awarded about 524 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $55,878 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,625. More information about a degree in social work from Yeshiva University

20

Cuny Lehman College earned the #20 position for social work this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. Cuny Lehman College awarded about 211 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from Cuny Lehman College earn around $52,676 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,690 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social work from Cuny Lehman College

21
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany came in at #21 for social work this year. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. Suny At Albany graduates 61% of students within six years. About 147 social work degrees were awarded at Suny At Albany in the most recent year. Graduates of the social work program make about $43,129 in their early career. Suny At Albany graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in social work from Suny At Albany

22
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University landed the #22 spot for social work this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Temple University awarded about 243 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from Temple University earn around $45,338 in the first couple years of their career. Temple University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full social work program report for Temple University

23

Catholic University Of America came in at #23 for social work this year. Located in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 76 social work students who graduated with this degree at Catholic University Of America in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Catholic University Of America earn a median of $59,489 early in their careers. Catholic University Of America graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full social work details for Catholic University Of America

24

Pennsylvania Western University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Pennsylvania Western University awarded about 265 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the social work program at Pennsylvania Western University

25

Rutgers University Camden placed #25 among the best social work schools. Located in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 42 social work degrees were awarded at Rutgers University Camden in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Rutgers University Camden generally make around $47,081. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in social work from Rutgers University Camden

Rest of the Top 50 Social Work Schools

These schools also placed among the best for social work this year:

26
Niagara University crest
Niagara University
Niagara University, NY
27
Siena College crest
Siena College
Loudonville, NY
28
29
Salisbury University crest
Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD
30
Centenary College crest
Centenary College
Hackettstown, NJ
31
32
Mercy College crest
Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY
33
Monmouth University crest
Monmouth University
West Long Branch, NJ
34
35
36
37
Seton Hall University crest
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ
38
Mcdaniel College crest
Mcdaniel College
Westminster, MD
39
Camden County College crest
Camden County College
Blackwood, NJ
40
41
42
Bryn Mawr College crest
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA
43
44
45
46
Iona College crest
Iona College
New Rochelle, NY
47
48
Nazareth College crest
Nazareth College
Rochester, NY
49
50

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for social work:

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 129 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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