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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Social Work Schools in the New England Region

22 Colleges in the United States
3,611 Social Work Degrees Awarded
$48,646 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 49 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 New England Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall social work education in the New England Region.

Top Schools in Social Work

1

Leading the list is University Of Massachusetts Amherst, our #1 school for social work. This very large public university is located in the city of Amherst. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 37 social work students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn around $53,543 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates carry a median of $25,234 in student loans. Read more about the social work program at University Of Massachusetts Amherst

2
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

A rank of #2 makes Boston University one of the top schools for social work. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Boston University awarded about 354 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Boston University earn a median of $57,991 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete this degree. Get the full social work details for Boston University

3
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Students looking for a strong social work program will find one at Boston College, which ranked #3. Boston College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. Boston College graduates 91% of students within six years. About 278 social work degrees were awarded at Boston College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Boston College generally make around $56,920. Students borrow a median of $18,101 to complete this degree. Get the full social work details for Boston College

4

University Of Connecticut is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Connecticut awarded about 161 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $55,081 early in their careers. University Of Connecticut graduates carry a median of $23,637 in student loans. Read more about the social work program at University Of Connecticut

5
Simmons College crest
Simmons College
Boston, MA

A rank of #5 makes Simmons College one of the top schools for social work. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. About 72% of students finish within six years. Simmons College awarded about 632 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from Simmons College earn around $45,268 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the social work program at Simmons College

6

Quinnipiac University came in at #6 for social work this year. Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hamden. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 30 social work students who graduated with this degree at Quinnipiac University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from Quinnipiac University earn around $58,000 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,926 to complete this degree. Read more about the social work program at Quinnipiac University

7

Capital Community College came in at #7 for social work this year. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. About 167 social work degrees were awarded at Capital Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $29,555. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete this degree. Get the full social work details for Capital Community College

8

Sacred Heart University placed #8 among the best social work schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 112 social work students who graduated with this degree at Sacred Heart University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $53,796 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,950. See the full social work program report for Sacred Heart University

9
Smith College crest
Smith College
Northampton, MA

Smith College earned the #9 position for social work this year. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 138 social work students who graduated with this degree at Smith College in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Smith College earn a median of $53,525 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,941. More information about a degree in social work from Smith College

10

Bristol Community College came in at #10 for social work this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Fall River. Bristol Community College awarded about 26 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from Bristol Community College earn around $37,897 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,433. Get the full social work details for Bristol Community College

11

Southern Connecticut State University earned the #11 position for social work this year. Southern Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the city of New Haven. Southern Connecticut State University graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 149 social work students who graduated with this degree at Southern Connecticut State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $44,207 in their early career. Southern Connecticut State University graduates carry a median of $23,935 in student loans. Get the full social work details for Southern Connecticut State University

12
Springfield College crest
Springfield College
Springfield, MA

Springfield College earned the #12 position for social work this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Springfield College graduates 74% of students within six years. Springfield College awarded about 87 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $57,311 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,151. Get the full social work details for Springfield College

13
Rhode Island College crest
Rhode Island College
Providence, RI

Rhode Island College came in at #13 for social work this year. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 183 social work students who graduated with this degree at Rhode Island College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from Rhode Island College earn around $44,249 in the first couple years of their career. Rhode Island College graduates carry a median of $24,100 in student loans. More information about a degree in social work from Rhode Island College

14

Westfield State University placed #14 among the best social work schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Westfield. Westfield State University graduates 54% of students within six years. Westfield State University awarded about 123 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from Westfield State University earn around $47,739 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full social work details for Westfield State University

15

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus landed the #15 spot for social work this year. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 112 social work degrees were awarded at University Of New Hampshire Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus generally make around $45,337. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full social work program report for University Of New Hampshire Main Campus

16

Eastern Connecticut State University came in at #16 for social work this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Willimantic. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 36 social work students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Connecticut State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $29,471 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,325 to complete this degree. Read more about the social work program at Eastern Connecticut State University

17
Regis College crest
Regis College
Weston, MA

Regis College placed #17 among the best social work schools. Located in the suburb of Weston, Regis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 59 social work degrees were awarded at Regis College in the most recent year. Graduates of the social work program make about $69,483 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,441 to complete this degree. Get the full social work details for Regis College

18

Bridgewater State University placed #18 among the best social work schools. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. Bridgewater State University graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 174 social work students who graduated with this degree at Bridgewater State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from Bridgewater State University earn around $51,697 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social work from Bridgewater State University

19

Salem State University came in at #19 for social work this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Salem. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 157 social work degrees were awarded at Salem State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the social work program make about $52,651 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full social work program report for Salem State University

20

Central Connecticut State University came in at #20 for social work this year. Central Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the suburb of New Britain. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. About 37 social work degrees were awarded at Central Connecticut State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Central Connecticut State University generally make around $37,519. Typical student debt for the program is $24,844. More information about a degree in social work from Central Connecticut State University

21

Salve Regina University came in at #21 for social work this year. Set in the suburb of Newport, Salve Regina University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. Salve Regina University awarded about 23 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from Salve Regina University earn around $56,636 in the first couple years of their career. Salve Regina University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full social work details for Salve Regina University

22

Western Connecticut State University placed #22 among the best social work schools. Located in the city of Danbury, Western Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public university. Western Connecticut State University graduates 52% of students within six years. About 29 social work degrees were awarded at Western Connecticut State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Western Connecticut State University generally make around $33,033. Typical student debt for the program is $24,527. More information about a degree in social work from Western Connecticut State University

23
University Of Vermont crest
University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT

University Of Vermont placed #23 among the best social work schools. University Of Vermont is a large public school located in the city of Burlington. About 79% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 56 social work students who graduated with this degree at University Of Vermont in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $43,494 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000. See the full social work program report for University Of Vermont

24
Lesley University crest
Lesley University
Cambridge, MA

Lesley University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 18 social work degrees were awarded at Lesley University in the most recent year. Graduates of the social work program make about $48,287 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,818 to complete this degree. Get the full social work details for Lesley University

25

University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #25 for social work this year. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 social work degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Boston in the most recent year. Students who receive their social work degree from University Of Massachusetts Boston earn around $45,227 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,947 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social work from University Of Massachusetts Boston

Rest of the Top 35 Social Work Schools

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

26
27
Saint Joseph College crest
Saint Joseph College
West Hartford, CT
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
Merrimack College crest
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 49 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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