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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Social Work Schools in New York

27 Colleges in the United States
5,399 Social Work Degrees Awarded
$49,412 Avg Early-Career Salary

Social Work is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 37 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best social work schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Social Work in New York

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the social work degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Social Work

1

Our analysis ranked Columbia University In The City Of New York the best school in the country for a degree in social work. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 562 social work degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Graduates of the social work program make about $59,891 in their early career. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Get the full social work details for Columbia University In The City Of New York

2
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 501 social work degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Students who receive their social work degree from New York University earn around $68,944 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full social work details for New York University

3
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Students looking for a strong social work program will find one at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #3. 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. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $51,407. Cuny Hunter College graduates carry a median of $9,608 in student loans. Get the full social work details for Cuny Hunter College

4

Fordham University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in social work, ranking #4. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bronx. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 729 social work degrees were awarded at Fordham University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Fordham University generally make around $56,761. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full social work program report for Fordham University

5
Marist College crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Marist College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Marist College graduates 80% of students within six years. About 16 social work degrees were awarded at Marist College in the most recent year. Social Work graduates of Marist College earn a median of $60,521 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,251. Read more about the social work program at Marist College

6
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University earned the #6 position for social work this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 91 social work degrees were awarded at Syracuse University in the most recent year. Graduates of the social work program make about $53,346 in their early career. Syracuse University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the social work program at Syracuse University

7
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 274 social work degrees were awarded at Stony Brook University in the most recent year. Students who receive their social work degree from Stony Brook University earn around $51,751 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,981 to complete this degree. See the full social work program report for Stony Brook University

8
Skidmore College crest
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Skidmore College landed the #8 spot for social work this year. Skidmore College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. About 83% of students finish 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. Typical student debt for the program is $18,274. Get the full social work details for Skidmore College

9
Adelphi University crest
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY

Adelphi University landed the #9 spot for social work this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 258 social work degrees were awarded at Adelphi University in the most recent year. Social Work graduates of Adelphi University earn a median of $55,681 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full social work program report for Adelphi University

10
Yeshiva University crest
Yeshiva University
New York, NY

Yeshiva University placed #10 among the best social work schools. Set in the city of New York, Yeshiva University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 524 social work students who graduated with this degree at Yeshiva University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from Yeshiva University earn around $55,878 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,625. Read more about the social work program at Yeshiva University

11

Cuny Lehman College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. 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. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $52,676. Cuny Lehman College graduates carry a median of $12,690 in student loans. Get the full social work details for Cuny Lehman College

12
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany earned the #12 position for social work this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Albany. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 147 social work degrees were awarded at Suny At Albany in the most recent year. Students who receive their social work degree from Suny At Albany earn around $43,129 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social work from Suny At Albany

13
Niagara University crest
Niagara University
Niagara University, NY

Niagara University came in at #13 for social work this year. Set in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. Niagara University awarded about 17 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Niagara University earn a median of $51,918 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,208 to complete this degree. Read more about the social work program at Niagara University

14
Siena College crest
Siena College
Loudonville, NY

Siena College placed #14 among the best social work schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Loudonville. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 social work degrees were awarded at Siena College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Siena College generally make around $44,535. Students borrow a median of $26,899 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social work from Siena College

15

Suny At Binghamton earned the #15 position for social work this year. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Suny At Binghamton graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 109 social work students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Binghamton in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $52,793 early in their careers. Suny At Binghamton graduates carry a median of $20,691 in student loans. Get the full social work details for Suny At Binghamton

16

Cuny Graduate School And University Center came in at #16 for social work this year. This large public university is located in the city of New York. There were roughly 47 social work students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn around $72,222 in the first couple years of their career. Cuny Graduate School And University Center graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. More information about a degree in social work from Cuny Graduate School And University Center

17
Mercy College crest
Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY

Mercy College came in at #17 for social work this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 social work degrees were awarded at Mercy College in the most recent year. Social Work graduates of Mercy College earn a median of $39,373 early in their careers. Mercy College graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full social work program report for Mercy College

18

University At Buffalo placed #18 among the best social work schools. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 236 social work students who graduated with this degree at University At Buffalo in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $50,711. University At Buffalo graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Get the full social work details for University At Buffalo

19

Suny College At Brockport ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Brockport. Suny College At Brockport graduates 55% of students within six years. Suny College At Brockport awarded about 124 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Suny College At Brockport generally make around $44,947. Suny College At Brockport graduates carry a median of $23,354 in student loans. Read more about the social work program at Suny College At Brockport

20

Suny College At Plattsburgh earned the #20 position for social work this year. Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Plattsburgh. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 52 social work degrees were awarded at Suny College At Plattsburgh in the most recent year. Students who receive their social work degree from Suny College At Plattsburgh earn around $24,676 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,990. More information about a degree in social work from Suny College At Plattsburgh

21
Iona College crest
Iona College
New Rochelle, NY

Iona College earned the #21 position for social work this year. Set in the suburb of New Rochelle, Iona College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. Iona College awarded about 10 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Iona College generally make around $51,530. Students borrow a median of $25,749 to complete this degree. Read more about the social work program at Iona College

22

Cuny Medgar Evers College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public university. Cuny Medgar Evers College graduates 20% of students within six years. Cuny Medgar Evers College awarded about 40 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $44,311 in their early career. Cuny Medgar Evers College graduates carry a median of $15,096 in student loans. Get the full social work details for Cuny Medgar Evers College

23
Nazareth College crest
Nazareth College
Rochester, NY

Nazareth College came in at #23 for social work this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Nazareth College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 85 social work students who graduated with this degree at Nazareth College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Nazareth College generally make around $44,934. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the social work program at Nazareth College

24

Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. There were roughly 57 social work students who graduated with this degree at Cuny College Of Staten Island in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $45,172. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete this degree. See the full social work program report for Cuny College Of Staten Island

25
Touro College crest
Touro College
New York, NY

Touro College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. Set in the city of New York, Touro College is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 86 social work degrees were awarded at Touro College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Touro College generally make around $58,117. Students borrow a median of $20,285 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social work from Touro College

Rest of the Top 33 Social Work Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s social work ranking:

26
27
28
Cuny York College crest
Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY
29
Daemen College crest
Daemen College
Amherst, NY
30
Suny At Fredonia crest
Suny At Fredonia
Fredonia, NY
31
32
33
Keuka College crest
Keuka College
Keuka Park, NY

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 37 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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