# Best Online Social Work Programs

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-09-01 | Schools: 50 | Category: Online
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-online-social-work

## Methodology

Online Social Work programs ranked by outcomes, online quality, and program presence

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

Online social work programs are becoming increasingly popular as students seek flexible options that fit their busy lives. With a growing demand for social workers, these programs offer a path to meaningful careers while accommodating various personal and professional commitments. In fact, the average earnings for graduates from these programs stand at $63,331, making the right choice even more crucial.

What sets the top schools apart in this list is how well they perform in key areas like graduation rates, earning potential, debt levels, and student mobility. For aspiring social workers, a strong graduation rate can often indicate a supportive environment, while higher earnings can signal that the program prepares students effectively for the job market. Take a close look at the details below to see how each program measures up against these important factors.

For example, the University of Florida-Online leads with an impressive earning potential of $71,588 and a graduation rate of 81%. In contrast, Arizona State University Digital Immersion shows a stark difference with earnings of $62,668 and a graduation rate of just 29%. This contrast highlights how outcomes can vary significantly between programs, impacting future career opportunities for graduates.

## Key Findings

- University of Florida-Online graduates earn an average of $71,588, the highest on this list.
- The average graduation rate across these programs is just 37%, indicating challenges in completion.
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide has a net price of $18,725, the highest among the top five schools.
- Arizona State University Digital Immersion graduates carry an average debt of $19,500, which could impact their financial future.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [University of Florida-Online](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-florida-online) | Gainesville, FL | 81% | $71,588 | $4,815 | $15,000 | 0.21x |
| 2 | [Southern New Hampshire University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southern-new-hampshire-university) | Manchester, NH | 44% | $50,318 | $36,708 | $21,082 | 0.42x |
| 3 | [Bellevue University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bellevue-university) | Bellevue, NE | 39% | $61,289 | $17,550 | $20,000 | 0.33x |
| 4 | [University of West Alabama](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-west-alabama) | Livingston, AL | 36% | $44,232 | $12,684 | $24,944 | 0.56x |
| 5 | [Ave Maria University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ave-maria-university) | Ave Maria, FL | 55% | $49,520 | $24,860 | $20,776 | 0.42x |
| 6 | [Franklin University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/franklin-university) | Columbus, OH | 21% | $51,892 | $25,243 | $20,836 | 0.4x |
| 7 | [Pennsylvania State University-World Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pennsylvania-state-university-world-campus) | University Park, PA | 34% | $63,435 | $19,550 | $25,000 | 0.39x |
| 8 | [Grand Canyon University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/grand-canyon-university) | Phoenix, AZ | 43% | $42,186 | $22,472 | $22,114 | 0.52x |
| 9 | [Coastline Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/coastline-community-college) | Fountain Valley, CA | 30% | $44,483 | $16,341 | $8,250 | 0.19x |
| 10 | [Empire State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/empire-state-university) | Saratoga Springs, NY | 34% | $54,080 | $11,676 | $18,730 | 0.35x |
| 11 | [National University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/national-university) | San Diego, CA | 42% | $67,548 | $22,878 | $25,000 | 0.37x |
| 12 | [Liberty University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/liberty-university) | Lynchburg, VA | 64% | $44,813 | $29,357 | $24,500 | 0.55x |
| 13 | [University of Maryland Global Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-maryland-global-campus) | Adelphi, MD | 31% | $65,287 | $22,063 | $21,000 | 0.32x |
| 14 | [Upper Iowa University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/upper-iowa-university) | Fayette, IA | 38% | $52,766 | $20,942 | $25,000 | 0.47x |
| 15 | [Unity Environmental University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/unity-environmental-university) | New Gloucester, ME | 44% | $37,852 | $19,104 | $25,000 | 0.66x |
| 16 | [Belhaven University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/belhaven-university) | Jackson, MS | 50% | $46,440 | $15,676 | $26,333 | 0.57x |
| 17 | [Arizona State University Digital Immersion](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/arizona-state-university-digital-immersion) | Scottsdale, AZ | 29% | $62,668 | N/A | $19,500 | 0.31x |
| 18 | [Prescott College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/prescott-college) | Prescott, AZ | 44% | $42,359 | $22,583 | $16,300 | 0.38x |
| 19 | [Louisiana State University-Shreveport](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/louisiana-state-university-shreveport) | Shreveport, LA | 35% | $47,477 | $7,022 | $22,500 | 0.47x |
| 20 | [Saint Leo University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/saint-leo-university) | Saint Leo, FL | 47% | $48,364 | $21,293 | $25,278 | 0.52x |
| 21 | [Maryville University of Saint Louis](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/maryville-university-of-saint-louis) | Saint Louis, MO | 69% | $62,105 | $22,066 | $22,000 | 0.35x |
| 22 | [Eastern University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/eastern-university) | Saint Davids, PA | 55% | $51,655 | $26,662 | $25,000 | 0.48x |
| 23 | [Southeastern Oklahoma State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southeastern-oklahoma-state-university) | Durant, OK | 32% | $45,079 | $8,039 | $17,000 | 0.38x |
| 24 | [McMurry University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mcmurry-university) | Abilene, TX | 41% | $48,779 | $19,581 | $27,000 | 0.55x |
| 25 | [Wilkes University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wilkes-university) | Wilkes-Barre, PA | 62% | $63,454 | $27,743 | $26,000 | 0.41x |
| 26 | [Buena Vista University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/buena-vista-university) | Storm Lake, IA | 54% | $49,156 | $18,846 | $25,000 | 0.51x |
| 27 | [Spring Arbor University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/spring-arbor-university) | Spring Arbor, MI | 61% | $51,732 | $19,353 | $26,375 | 0.51x |
| 28 | [Lamar University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lamar-university) | Beaumont, TX | 37% | $49,652 | $9,366 | $21,250 | 0.43x |
| 29 | [Tohono O'odham Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tohono-oodham-community-college) | Sells, AZ | 16% | $39,229 | $4,233 | N/A | N/A |
| 30 | [Crown College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/crown-college) | Saint Bonifacius, MN | 54% | $48,057 | $26,672 | $22,500 | 0.47x |
| 31 | [Wilmington University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wilmington-university) | New Castle, DE | 21% | $53,844 | $15,644 | $20,000 | 0.37x |
| 32 | [University of Maine at Presque Isle](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-maine-at-presque-isle) | Presque Isle, ME | 45% | $40,956 | $7,035 | $16,000 | 0.39x |
| 33 | [Park University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/park-university) | Parkville, MO | 34% | $56,309 | $21,032 | $21,685 | 0.39x |
| 34 | [Ursuline College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ursuline-college) | Pepper Pike, OH | 61% | $56,878 | $16,164 | $26,250 | 0.46x |
| 35 | [Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/eastern-new-mexico-university-main-campus) | Portales, NM | 42% | $38,550 | $4,904 | $16,500 | 0.43x |
| 36 | [SUNY College of Technology at Canton](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/suny-college-of-technology-at-canton) | Canton, NY | 41% | $47,860 | $15,268 | $20,000 | 0.42x |
| 37 | [Mayville State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mayville-state-university) | Mayville, ND | 40% | $47,828 | $11,456 | $18,585 | 0.39x |
| 38 | [University of New England](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-new-england) | Biddeford, ME | 65% | $55,921 | $38,107 | $25,250 | 0.45x |
| 39 | [College of Alameda](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/college-of-alameda) | Alameda, CA | 34% | $42,563 | $8,496 | N/A | N/A |
| 40 | [Virginia Union University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/virginia-union-university) | Richmond, VA | 39% | $38,275 | $13,235 | $29,000 | 0.76x |
| 41 | [Los Angeles Southwest College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/los-angeles-southwest-college) | Los Angeles, CA | 34% | $32,172 | $5,964 | N/A | N/A |
| 42 | [Livingstone College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/livingstone-college) | Salisbury, NC | 26% | $32,600 | $13,479 | $31,125 | 0.95x |
| 43 | [Central State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/central-state-university) | Wilberforce, OH | 24% | $33,267 | $13,096 | $30,739 | 0.92x |
| 44 | [Columbia College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/columbia-college-mo) | Columbia, MO | 44% | $45,378 | $22,715 | $23,879 | 0.53x |
| 45 | [University of Charleston](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-charleston) | Charleston, WV | 46% | $55,774 | $22,107 | $19,500 | 0.35x |
| 46 | [Arkansas State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/arkansas-state-university) | Jonesboro, AR | 55% | $42,617 | $12,366 | $20,500 | 0.48x |
| 47 | [Saddleback College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/saddleback-college) | Mission Viejo, CA | 46% | $50,874 | $4,152 | $9,500 | 0.19x |
| 48 | [Woodbury University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/woodbury-university) | Burbank, CA | 58% | $65,668 | $33,692 | $26,960 | 0.41x |
| 49 | [Wilson College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wilson-college) | Chambersburg, PA | 50% | $43,326 | $21,741 | $26,328 | 0.61x |
| 50 | [The University of Texas Permian Basin](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-texas-permian-basin) | Odessa, TX | 42% | $56,073 | $12,723 | $17,750 | 0.32x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Online Social Work Programs." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-09-01. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-online-social-work

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.