2026 Best Social Work Schools in the Southeast Region

1

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in social work. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 139 social work degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Graduates of the social work program make about $49,662 in their early career. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Get the full social work details for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

2

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. James Madison University awarded about 48 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from James Madison University earn around $31,687 in the first couple years of their career. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $18,989 in student loans. Read more about the social work program at James Madison University

3

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 183 social work degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $50,675. Students borrow a median of $24,188 to complete this degree. Get the full social work details for George Mason University

4

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in social work, ranking #4. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 68 social work students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $37,177. Typical student debt for the program is $15,193. See the full social work program report for Florida State University

5

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 196 social work degrees were awarded at Florida Atlantic University in the most recent year. Social Work graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $39,912 early in their careers. Florida Atlantic University graduates carry a median of $19,695 in student loans. More information about a degree in social work from Florida Atlantic University

6

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida landed the #6 spot for social work this year. This large public university is located in the city of Jacksonville. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. University Of North Florida awarded about 27 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $49,208 in their early career. University Of North Florida graduates carry a median of $13,029 in student loans. See the full social work program report for University Of North Florida

7

Christopher Newport University
Newport News, VA

Christopher Newport University came in at #7 for social work this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Newport News. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 18 social work students who graduated with this degree at Christopher Newport University in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Christopher Newport University earn a median of $41,656 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,492 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social work from Christopher Newport University

8

North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #8 spot for social work this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 154 social work degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Graduates of the social work program make about $41,233 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,791. Get the full social work details for North Carolina State University At Raleigh

9

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #9 spot for social work this year. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates 63% of students within six years. About 454 social work degrees were awarded at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $42,898. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full social work program report for Virginia Commonwealth University

10

Tulane University Of Louisiana
New Orleans, LA

Tulane University Of Louisiana ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 185 social work degrees were awarded at Tulane University Of Louisiana in the most recent year. Students who receive their social work degree from Tulane University Of Louisiana earn around $46,565 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,077 to complete this degree. Get the full social work details for Tulane University Of Louisiana

11

Appalachian State University
Boone, NC

Appalachian State University earned the #11 position for social work this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Boone. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 163 social work degrees were awarded at Appalachian State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the social work program make about $40,115 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,184 to complete this degree. See the full social work program report for Appalachian State University

12

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida placed #12 among the best social work schools. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. About 78% of students finish within six years. University Of Central Florida awarded about 336 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $41,483 in their early career. University Of Central Florida graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans. More information about a degree in social work from University Of Central Florida

13

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia landed the #13 spot for social work this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 237 social work degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Graduates of the social work program make about $39,078 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,314. More information about a degree in social work from University Of Georgia

14

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #14 spot for social work this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of South Florida Main Campus awarded about 230 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $43,978 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,875. Get the full social work details for University Of South Florida Main Campus

15

The University Of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN

The University Of Tennessee earned the #15 position for social work this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 429 social work students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from The University Of Tennessee earn around $43,853 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Tennessee graduates carry a median of $25,683 in student loans. More information about a degree in social work from The University Of Tennessee

16

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 66 social work students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mississippi Main Campus in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $31,190 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,986 to complete this degree. Read more about the social work program at University Of Mississippi Main Campus

17

Belmont University
Nashville, TN

Belmont University came in at #17 for social work this year. Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 19 social work degrees were awarded at Belmont University in the most recent year. Social Work graduates of Belmont University earn a median of $49,699 early in their careers. Belmont University graduates carry a median of $23,447 in student loans. More information about a degree in social work from Belmont University

18

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Florida International University awarded about 67 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $41,626 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,800 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social work from Florida International University

19

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Greenville. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 135 social work students who graduated with this degree at East Carolina University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from East Carolina University earn around $43,448 in the first couple years of their career. East Carolina University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in social work from East Carolina University

20

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #20 spot for social work this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 223 social work degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent year. Students who receive their social work degree from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn around $37,850 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,750. See the full social work program report for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

21

University Of Kentucky
Lexington, KY

University Of Kentucky came in at #21 for social work this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. University Of Kentucky graduates 71% of students within six years. There were roughly 1,196 social work students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kentucky in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $43,383. University Of Kentucky graduates carry a median of $26,875 in student loans. Get the full social work details for University Of Kentucky

22

University Of South Carolina Columbia
Columbia, SC

University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates 79% of students within six years. University Of South Carolina Columbia awarded about 186 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $35,441 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social work from University Of South Carolina Columbia

23

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
Wilmington, NC

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington came in at #23 for social work this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Wilmington. About 71% of students finish within six years. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington awarded about 151 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $43,289. Typical student debt for the program is $22,361. See the full social work program report for University Of North Carolina At Wilmington

24

The University Of West Florida
Pensacola, FL

The University Of West Florida earned the #24 position for social work this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. About 59% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 47 social work students who graduated with this degree at The University Of West Florida in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from The University Of West Florida earn around $36,573 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,373. Read more about the social work program at The University Of West Florida

25

Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University earned the #25 position for social work this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 244 social work students who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $38,828. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the social work program at Liberty University