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Best Social Work Schools in California

California has 16 colleges offering Social Work programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 1,264 recent graduates. Graduates in California earn $34,008 on average within two years — 8% above the national average of $31,426, making the state one of the stronger markets for this field.

School choice matters significantly: San Francisco State University graduates earn $41,007 while California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates earn $28,236 — a $12,771 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

16
Schools in CA
$34,008
CA Avg. Earnings
$31,426
National Avg.
395
Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Social Work in California

Public Schools (14)
$34,152
avg. 2yr earnings
Private Schools (2)
$32,996
avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in California produce comparable or higher early earnings for Social Work graduates, often at lower cost — making them strong value options.

Social Work Schools in California, Ranked by Earnings

#1
S

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public

$41,007
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $32,501
Graduates: 18
Acceptance: 96.2%
#2
C

California State University-San Bernardino

San Bernardino, CA · Public

$40,492
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $37,690
Graduates: 31
Acceptance: 98.3%
#3
U

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public

$39,585
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $42,882
Graduates: 127
Acceptance: 11.7%
#4
S

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA · Public

$38,289
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $38,504
Graduates: 35
Acceptance: 80.2%
#5
U

University of Massachusetts Global

Aliso Viejo, CA · Public

$34,526
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: N/A
#6
C

California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public

$33,993
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $32,587
Graduates: 65
Acceptance: 47.1%
#7
C

California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public

$33,382
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $32,688
Graduates: 112
Acceptance: 93.2%
#8
W

Whittier College

Whittier, CA · Private

$33,281
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 85.4%
#9
C

California State University-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$32,747
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $33,849
Graduates: 170
Acceptance: 91.9%
#10
A

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, CA · Private

$32,711
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $34,310
Graduates: 39
Acceptance: 79.5%
#11
C

California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA · Public

$32,569
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $33,548
Graduates: 260
Acceptance: 93.6%
#12
S

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA · Public

$32,332
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $34,581
Graduates: 114
Acceptance: 34.4%
#13
C

California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, CA · Public

$31,314
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 86.7%
#14
C

California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public

$30,119
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $33,049
Graduates: 101
Acceptance: 93.7%
#15
C

California State University-Fresno

Fresno, CA · Public

$29,540
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $31,549
Graduates: 135
Acceptance: 96.4%
#16
C

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Arcata, CA · Public

$28,236
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $26,892
Graduates: 57
Acceptance: 98.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Social Work in California?
San Francisco State University ranks #1 for Social Work in California with median graduate earnings of $41,007 within two years of graduation. There are 16 schools offering Social Work programs in the state.
How much do Social Work graduates earn in California?
Social Work graduates in California earn an average of $34,008 within two years of graduation. This is 8% above the national average of $31,426 for this major.
What is the hardest Social Work school to get into in California?
University of California-Berkeley is the most selective Social Work program in California with an acceptance rate of 11.7%. The average acceptance rate across Social Work programs in the state is 79.1%.
Should I attend a public or private school for Social Work in California?
In California, private Social Work programs produce average earnings of $32,996 vs $34,152 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 14 public and 2 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in California

Construction Management $81,700 Construction Engineering $81,610 Construction Engineering Technologies $76,343 Engineering, General $76,184 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $75,984 Manufacturing Engineering $73,841 Engineering-Related Fields $73,096 Computer Science $72,889
All colleges in California →

Social Work in Other States

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Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.