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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Social Work Schools in Alabama

9 Colleges in the United States
1,002 Social Work Degrees Awarded
$38,234 Avg Early-Career Salary

Social Work degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 18 schools to find the best for social work students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Social Work in Alabama

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall social work education in Alabama.

Top Schools in Social Work

1
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

No school ranked higher than Auburn University this year for social work. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Auburn University awarded about 42 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $46,371 early in their careers. Auburn University graduates carry a median of $22,069 in student loans. See the full social work program report for Auburn University

2

The University Of Alabama is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in social work, ranking #2. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. About 73% of students finish within six years. The University Of Alabama awarded about 238 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $37,575. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. See the full social work program report for The University Of Alabama

3

University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 50 social work students who graduated with this degree at University Of Alabama At Birmingham in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $35,750 in their early career. University Of Alabama At Birmingham graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Read more about the social work program at University Of Alabama At Birmingham

4

Auburn University At Montgomery came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. Located in the city of Montgomery, Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 33%. About 22 social work degrees were awarded at Auburn University At Montgomery in the most recent year. Students who receive their social work degree from Auburn University At Montgomery earn around $44,249 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,746. Get the full social work details for Auburn University At Montgomery

5
Samford University crest
Samford University
Birmingham, AL

Samford University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in social work, landing the #5 spot this year. Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Birmingham. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 social work degrees were awarded at Samford University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Samford University generally make around $44,603. Samford University graduates carry a median of $21,039 in student loans. See the full social work program report for Samford University

6

University Of North Alabama ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. This large public university is located in the city of Florence. University Of North Alabama graduates 55% of students within six years. About 156 social work degrees were awarded at University Of North Alabama in the most recent year. Graduates of the social work program make about $36,948 in their early career. University Of North Alabama graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. Read more about the social work program at University Of North Alabama

7

Troy University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. Located in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public university. About 49% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 214 social work students who graduated with this degree at Troy University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from Troy University earn around $38,334 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete this degree. See the full social work program report for Troy University

8

Jacksonville State University came in at #8 for social work this year. Set in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 90 social work students who graduated with this degree at Jacksonville State University in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Jacksonville State University earn a median of $37,884 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,342. See the full social work program report for Jacksonville State University

9

University Of Montevallo earned the #9 position for social work this year. University Of Montevallo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Montevallo. University Of Montevallo graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 social work students who graduated with this degree at University Of Montevallo in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of University Of Montevallo earn a median of $32,262 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,500. See the full social work program report for University Of Montevallo

10

University Of South Alabama came in at #10 for social work this year. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. University Of South Alabama awarded about 20 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of South Alabama generally make around $33,771. Typical student debt for the program is $30,500. See the full social work program report for University Of South Alabama

11
Oakwood University crest
Oakwood University
Huntsville, AL

Oakwood University came in at #11 for social work this year. Oakwood University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Huntsville. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. There were roughly 10 social work students who graduated with this degree at Oakwood University in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Oakwood University earn a median of $30,724 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $43,375. Read more about the social work program at Oakwood University

12

Alabama A And M University placed #12 among the best social work schools. Set in the city of Normal, Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public institution. Alabama A And M University graduates 24% of students within six years. There were roughly 78 social work students who graduated with this degree at Alabama A And M University in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Alabama A And M University earn a median of $41,151 early in their careers. Alabama A And M University graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. See the full social work program report for Alabama A And M University

13

Alabama State University landed the #13 spot for social work this year. Set in the city of Montgomery, Alabama State University is a mid-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 30%. About 33 social work degrees were awarded at Alabama State University in the most recent year. Social Work graduates of Alabama State University earn a median of $37,420 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $39,593 to complete this degree. Read more about the social work program at Alabama State University

14
Miles College crest
Miles College
Fairfield, AL

Miles College placed #14 among the best social work schools. Miles College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fairfield. Miles College graduates 16% of students within six years. Miles College awarded about 10 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $35,881. See the full social work program report for Miles College

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 18 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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