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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Social Work Schools in Pennsylvania

14 Colleges in the United States
2,269 Social Work Degrees Awarded
$45,498 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.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 50 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 Pennsylvania

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
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

Leading the list is University Of Pennsylvania, our #1 school for social work. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. 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. Students who receive their social work degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $74,896 in the first couple years of their 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

Students looking for a strong social work program will find one at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. About 70% of students finish 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. Get the full social work details for West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus one of the top schools for social work. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 358 social work degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the social work program make about $47,518 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000. Read more about the social work program at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

4

Students looking for a strong social work program will find one at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 79 social work degrees in the most recent data year. See the full social work program report for Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania

5
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Students looking for a strong social work program will find one at Temple University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 243 social work degrees were awarded at Temple University in the most recent year. Students who receive their social work degree from Temple University earn around $45,338 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in social work from Temple University

6

Pennsylvania Western University came in at #6 for social work this year. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. About 52% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 265 social work students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania Western University in the most recent data year. See the full social work program report for Pennsylvania Western University

7
Bryn Mawr College crest
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA

Bryn Mawr College came in at #7 for social work this year. Located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Bryn Mawr College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 79 social work students who graduated with this degree at Bryn Mawr College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $49,002 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,069 to complete this degree. Read more about the social work program at Bryn Mawr College

8

Widener University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for social work this year. Set in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Widener University Main Campus awarded about 207 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Widener University Main Campus earn a median of $55,609 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete this degree. Get the full social work details for Widener University Main Campus

9

Bucks County Community College earned the #9 position for social work this year. This large public university is located in the rural area of Newtown. About 10 social work degrees were awarded at Bucks County Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $37,711. Students borrow a median of $13,068 to complete this degree. Read more about the social work program at Bucks County Community College

10
Marywood University crest
Marywood University
Scranton, PA

Marywood University earned the #10 position for social work this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Scranton. About 72% of students finish within six years. Marywood University awarded about 61 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Marywood University generally make around $49,452. Typical student debt for the program is $27,744. More information about a degree in social work from Marywood University

11

Lancaster Bible College landed the #11 spot for social work this year. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Lancaster Bible College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 22 social work students who graduated with this degree at Lancaster Bible College in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Lancaster Bible College earn a median of $35,235 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in social work from Lancaster Bible College

12

Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania landed the #12 spot for social work this year. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. About 54% of students finish within six years. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 81 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $43,122 early in their careers. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $26,624 in student loans. Read more about the social work program at Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania

13

Northampton County Area Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. Located in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public university. Northampton County Area Community College awarded about 24 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from Northampton County Area Community College earn around $35,960 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,500. Get the full social work details for Northampton County Area Community College

14

Reading Area Community College landed the #14 spot for social work this year. Located in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 15 social work students who graduated with this degree at Reading Area Community College in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Reading Area Community College earn a median of $49,248 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,725. More information about a degree in social work from Reading Area Community College

15
La Salle University crest
La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA

La Salle University came in at #15 for social work this year. La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 43 social work students who graduated with this degree at La Salle University in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of La Salle University earn a median of $37,453 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $33,206. Get the full social work details for La Salle University

16
Carlow University crest
Carlow University
Pittsburgh, PA

Carlow University earned the #16 position for social work this year. Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Carlow University awarded about 31 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Carlow University generally make around $66,938. Carlow University graduates carry a median of $30,222 in student loans. Get the full social work details for Carlow University

17

Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #17 for social work this year. Set in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 62 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earn around $43,037 in the first couple years of their career. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $26,982 in student loans. Read more about the social work program at Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania

18

East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #18 for social work this year. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of East Stroudsburg. About 43% of students finish within six years. About 36 social work degrees were awarded at East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $32,208. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full social work program report for East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania

19

Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public university. About 28 social work degrees were awarded at Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg in the most recent year. Students who receive their social work degree from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn around $41,382 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,867 to complete this degree. Get the full social work details for Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg

20

Millersville University Of Pennsylvania placed #20 among the best social work schools. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 140 social work students who graduated with this degree at Millersville University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $41,348. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $27,937 in student loans. Get the full social work details for Millersville University Of Pennsylvania

21

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania placed #21 among the best social work schools. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 53 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $32,316 early in their careers. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in social work from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania

22
Eastern University crest
Eastern University
Saint Davids, PA

Eastern University placed #22 among the best social work schools. Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Davids. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Eastern University awarded about 26 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from Eastern University earn around $36,308 in the first couple years of their career. Eastern University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in social work from Eastern University

23

Alvernia University earned the #23 position for social work this year. Located in the city of Reading, Alvernia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 social work students who graduated with this degree at Alvernia University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $53,960 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $41,574. Get the full social work details for Alvernia University

24

Community College Of Allegheny County placed #24 among the best social work schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. Community College Of Allegheny County awarded about 18 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $47,420 in their early career. Community College Of Allegheny County graduates carry a median of $15,263 in student loans. Get the full social work details for Community College Of Allegheny County

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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 · 50 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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