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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Social Work Schools in Kentucky

9 Colleges in the United States
2,314 Social Work Degrees Awarded
$41,021 Avg Early-Career Salary

Social Work is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 14 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 Kentucky

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 University Of Kentucky the best school in the country for a degree in social work. This very large public university is located in the city of Lexington. About 71% of students finish within six years. About 1,196 social work degrees were awarded at University Of Kentucky in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $43,383. Typical student debt for the program is $26,875. See the full social work program report for University Of Kentucky

2

Students looking for a strong social work program will find one at University Of Louisville, which ranked #2. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 221 social work students who graduated with this degree at University Of Louisville in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $40,876. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social work from University Of Louisville

3
Asbury University crest
Asbury University
Wilmore, KY

Asbury University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Wilmore. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. Asbury University awarded about 12 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from Asbury University earn around $50,086 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,104. Read more about the social work program at Asbury University

4
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Highland Heights. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 132 social work degrees were awarded at Northern Kentucky University in the most recent year. Graduates of the social work program make about $42,361 in their early career. Northern Kentucky University graduates carry a median of $28,906 in student loans. Get the full social work details for Northern Kentucky University

5
Campbellsville University crest
Campbellsville University
Campbellsville, KY

Students looking for a strong social work program will find one at Campbellsville University, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. There were roughly 267 social work students who graduated with this degree at Campbellsville University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from Campbellsville University earn around $40,399 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,360 to complete this degree. See the full social work program report for Campbellsville University

6

Eastern Kentucky University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Eastern Kentucky University graduates 55% of students within six years. Eastern Kentucky University awarded about 148 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $33,575. Typical student debt for the program is $30,750. See the full social work program report for Eastern Kentucky University

7
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University earned the #7 position for social work this year. This large public university is located in the city of Bowling Green. Western Kentucky University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 144 social work students who graduated with this degree at Western Kentucky University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $39,506. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Get the full social work details for Western Kentucky University

8
Pikeville College crest
Pikeville College
Pikeville, KY

Pikeville College landed the #8 spot for social work this year. Pikeville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Pikeville. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pikeville College awarded about 26 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Pikeville College earn a median of $57,157 early in their careers. Pikeville College graduates carry a median of $22,966 in student loans. Read more about the social work program at Pikeville College

9

Murray State University landed the #9 spot for social work this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Murray State University graduates 64% of students within six years. Murray State University awarded about 27 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $31,692 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social work from Murray State University

10
Spalding University crest
Spalding University
Louisville, KY

Spalding University placed #10 among the best social work schools. Spalding University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. About 51% of students finish within six years. About 38 social work degrees were awarded at Spalding University in the most recent year. Social Work graduates of Spalding University earn a median of $48,073 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $29,862. Read more about the social work program at Spalding University

11

Morehead State University landed the #11 spot for social work this year. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. Morehead State University graduates 52% of students within six years. Morehead State University awarded about 46 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $35,300. Students borrow a median of $32,002 to complete this degree. Read more about the social work program at Morehead State University

12

Kentucky State University came in at #12 for social work this year. Located in the town of Frankfort, Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public university. Roughly 35% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 social work degrees were awarded at Kentucky State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Kentucky State University generally make around $28,497. Typical student debt for the program is $29,774. See the full social work program report for Kentucky State University

13
Brescia University crest
Brescia University
Owensboro, KY

Brescia University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Owensboro. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 40 social work students who graduated with this degree at Brescia University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $42,368 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $49,254. Read more about the social work program at Brescia University

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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 · 14 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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