Best Social Work Schools

How are the Top Social Work Programs Chosen?

Appily determines “Best Colleges” based on publicly-available information from the US Department of Education. Several factors include, but are not limited to, data about admitted students’ academic calibers, students’ expected career outcomes after graduation, and colleges’ investments toward making their institution accessible to all students.

Explore the Best Social Work Programs with Appily!

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Harvard University
“…

With its liberal arts focus, Harvard provides the type of education that helps you to become a better thinker. You probably won't gain as much concrete knowledge here as you would at a non-liberal arts college, but I think this has more to do with...

” – Cindy
University of Chicago

An Educational Ideal

A liberal arts college amidst a world-renowned research university, the University of Chicago offers a dynamic education, where over 7,000 students from 50 states and 100 countries encounter great thinkers, sharpen critical...

“…

The classes are very educational and require a lot of focus. The best part is the university understands this, and so there are a lot of opportunities to get help from free tutors and TA's almost every day throughout the quarter.

” – Faisal from Los Angeles, CA
University of Pennsylvania

Founded in 1740 by Benjamin Franklin, the University of Pennsylvania is a private Ivy League institution in Philadelphia. UPenn hosts 12 schools conferring undergraduate degrees in over 90 academic fields of study. Additionally, UPenn’s Gothic-style...

“…

I think it's the perfect school for me.

” – Katherine from Murrieta, CA
Northwestern University

Northwestern University is a 4-year private research institution in the Chicagoland area. Northwestern is home to 12 colleges and schools and is renowned for its Medill School of Journalism, Kellogg School of Management, and Bienen School of Music...

“…

If you can to learn, you will. The professors don't spoon-feed information - instead, they give you the tools to learn the subjects yourself. Also, just hanging out with people (students, and sometimes students hang out with professors) helps you...

” – Allison from Port Barrington, IL
Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University was founded in 1873 as a private research university in Nashville, Tennessee. Academically, the university focuses on an interdisciplinary approach,  encouraging students to take courses from any of the 143 areas of study. The...

“…

Vanderbilt is often confused with one of them Ivy League schools up in Connecticut or wherever, but with good reason. If you choose to attend the prestigious Vanderbilt University then you will receive a very fine education from professors who want...

” – K from Atlanta, GA
Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University is a private institution in Baltimore and the first research university in the United States. Hopkins confers degrees and certificates in over 260 academic programs. Additionally, Hopkins is home to the Hopkins Applied...

“…

All of the classes are full of material and even the intro classes go above and beyond what one would have learned in high school, and even in an AP class.

” – Alyssa from Grand Blanc, MI
Washington University in St Louis

At WashU, you will draw strength from a community of achievers who inspire each other with their creativity and tenacity. You’ll acquire the confidence and skills to succeed as a professional and as a person, ready to change the world. You’ll learn...

“…

The classes I have taken have been interesting and challenging. It's a good idea to do some research on the professor, but generally you can expect a good experience. Class size really varies. I've had classes with 12 students, but also classes with...

” – Catlyne from Wheaton, IL
University of Southern California

The University of Southern California is a high-research institution located in Los Angeles, California, where it’s been educating students since 1880. The university is comprised of two campuses, the main University Park and the Health Sciences...

“…

University of Southern California is among the top universities in the country, and keeps getting better. The professors at the university are all at the top of their fields, and the extensive alumni list proves that the connections that you make...

” – Thomas from Houston, TX
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an institution in the UNC system and the first public university to confer degrees. A member of the Association of American Universities, UNC Chapel Hill is considered a Public Ivy and houses a...

“…

Although some of the classes are large, students have the opportunity for some one on one time with professors and teaching assistants through office hours and smaller versions of lectures called recitations. So no matter the class size, you are...

” – Alexia from Apex, NC
University of California-Berkeley

Founded in 1868, the University of California at Berkeley is the flagship of the University of California system of higher education, with a campus overlooking the San Francisco Bay. UC Berkeley is known for its academic excellence, student activism...

“…

Berkeley is a great school chock full of award-winning, book-publishing, enthusiastic professors who really know their stuff. If you take classes you're really interested in, you'll learn more. Don't forget about office hours, tutoring sessions, and...

” – Karina from Los Angeles, CA
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA
Boston College

Boston College is a 4-year Jesuit Catholic University and the first institution of higher learning founded in the city of Boston. BC is home to eight schools and colleges conferring degrees in over 50 fields of study. As a Catholic university, Boston...

“…

BC lives up to its Jesuit ideal in offering a well rounded, liberal arts experience. Small class sizes and engaging professors are essential parts of all classes. BC accepts a great deal of AP and SAT II credits, exempt students from less interesting...

” – Andrea from Lake Forest, CA
University of California-Los Angeles

The University of California in Los Angeles, better known as UCLA, is one of 10 campuses in the UC system. With 109 academic departments and more than 125 majors offered, as well as an average of one billion dollars funded for research every year and...

“…

The amount of knowledge you will gain during your first year at UCLA will be more valuable than any previous experiences. First, there is the academic aspect. Essentially, the material being taught in college is the same for any school, so self...

” – Joanna from Carson City, NV
Colgate University

Established in 1819, Colgate University is a selective 4-year private liberal arts institution in central New York State and one of the oldest universities in the northeast. Colgate confers bachelor’s degrees in 56 academic majors and the campus is...

“…

I came to Colgate with a pretty narrow idea of what I wanted to study and what I wanted out of my collegiate career. Colgate has, however, reshaped my ideas about the potential of a college education. I thought that both the core program and the...

” – Peter from Hamilton, NY
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Founded in 1817, University of Michigan in Ann Arbor is the state’s oldest university. U of M has very high research activity and is a often referred to as a Public Ivy. The university at Ann Arbor offers upwards of 260 degrees for undergraduates...

“…

The classes here are pretty intense. I'm a student in the college of Engineering, where group work is an important part of most classes. Most of the core classes like calculus, physics, and chemistry are very large classes, but they all have smaller...

” – Elizabeth from Rochester Hills, MI
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NY
Skidmore College

On 1,000 acres of Saratoga Springs, New York, is Skidmore College, a liberal arts institution that offers students 43 majors and more than 120 study abroad programs. Considered a "Hidden Ivy," Skidmore routinely makes national lists, including as one...

“…

One can learn a great deal at Skidmore College because the classes are designed to enhance critical thinking and social awareness. Students are encouraged to ask many questions in class discussions and in lectures. Most professors assign research...

” – Rasheed from Brooklyn, NY
Smith College

Smith College is an all-female liberal arts institution in western Massachusetts and the largest all-women’s college in the country. The biggest school among the Seven Sisters Colleges, Smith offers degrees and certificates in over 50 areas of study...

“…

The academics at Smith are amazing. There are no core classes and the professors are excellent. If there's something Smith doesn't have, you can easily enroll in a class at one of the other colleges of the Five College Consortium.

” – Veronica from Plymouth, MA
Tulane University of Louisiana

Tulane University is private nstitution located in New Orleans, Louisiana. As one of only 62 members in the Association of American Universities, TU is considered a top research university. The campus features five undergraduate schools that provide...

“…

In my first year at Tulane, I learned so much; not only in the classroom, but outside of it as well. At a school where almost 70% of the students are from outside of Louisiana, I had no problem meeting many diverse people, (culturally and...

” – Scott from Stillwater, MN
Boston University

Boston University is a private, non-profit university with a heavy emphasis on research. BU’s main location is right in its name—Boston, MA—but the university has flagship locations around the world, including in London, Sydney, and Washington, DC...

“…

The faculty is usually attentive and pretty entertaining. Most professors know exactly what they're talking about and provide insight into difficult fields with ease. I took the Core Curriculum and am learning much about history and philosophy. I...

” – Alex from Waco, TX
Columbia University in the City of New York

Founded in 1754, Columbia University is a private research university located in the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The urban Ivy League campus houses 17 libraries and 20 schools, which offer upwards of 350 majors, as well as the Cathedral of St. John...

“…

The amount of learning that takes place in one semester at Columbia is truly amazing. I have learned more in such a short period of time than I would have ever thought possible. As much as we may all complain about how extensive the Core Curriculum...

” – Nina from Baldwin, NY
Case Western Reserve University

Founded by the merger of Western Reserve University and Case School of Applied Science, Case Western Reserve University is a 4-year private research institution in Cleveland. Case Western features nine schools conferring bachelor’s degrees in 95...

“…

The classes are very challenging and you definitely have to earn your grade, but when you look back at all you've learned, its worth it!

” – Meaghan from Harrah, OK