Best Social Work Schools in Tennessee

Tennessee has 14 colleges offering Social Work programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 503 recent graduates. Graduates earn $30,180 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $31,424.

Schools in TN

$30,180

TN Avg. Earnings

$31,424

National Avg.

482

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Social Work in Tennessee

Public Schools (8)

$29,880

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (6)

$30,978

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $1,098 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Social Work Schools in Tennessee, Ranked by Earnings

Lipscomb University

Nashville, TN · Private

$30,409

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 66.6%

Southern Adventist University

Collegedale, TN · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 66.6%

Trevecca Nazarene University

Nashville, TN · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 70.0%

Belmont University

Nashville, TN · Private

$32,569

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 96.4%

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, TN · Public

$30,119

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $28,766

Graduates: 57

Acceptance: 46.0%

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

Chattanooga, TN · Public

$30,988

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,720

Graduates: 35

Acceptance: 77.0%

University of Memphis

Memphis, TN · Public

$31,825

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,735

Graduates: 70

Acceptance: 93.4%

Union University

Jackson, TN · Private

$29,956

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $26,951

Graduates: 31

Acceptance: 47.2%

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, TN · Public

$27,995

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,470

Graduates: 78

Acceptance: 68.0%

#10

Tennessee State University

Nashville, TN · Public

$29,141

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,791

Graduates: 28

Acceptance: 92.6%

#11

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, TN · Public

$30,119

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,455

Graduates: 69

Acceptance: 96.0%

#12

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, TN · Public

$28,302

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,150

Graduates: 60

Acceptance: 87.1%

#13

The University of Tennessee-Martin

Martin, TN · Public

$30,554

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,099

Graduates: 56

Acceptance: 87.3%

#14

Freed-Hardeman University

Henderson, TN · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $23,997

Graduates: 19

Acceptance: 90.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Social Work in Tennessee?

Lipscomb University ranks #1 for Social Work in Tennessee with median graduate earnings of $30,409 within two years of graduation. There are 14 schools offering Social Work programs in the state.

How much do Social Work graduates earn in Tennessee?

Social Work graduates in Tennessee earn an average of $30,180 within two years of graduation. This is 4% below the national average of $31,424 for this major.

What is the hardest Social Work school to get into in Tennessee?

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is the most selective Social Work program in Tennessee with an acceptance rate of 46.0%. The average acceptance rate across Social Work programs in the state is 77.5%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Social Work in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, private Social Work programs produce average earnings of $30,978 vs $29,880 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 8 public and 6 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Tennessee

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $67,457 Chemical Engineering $66,750 Engineering, General $62,877 Computer Science $59,925 Computer Engineering $59,120 Civil Engineering $58,536 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $57,018 Biomedical/Medical Engineering $56,708

All colleges in Tennessee →

Social Work in Other States

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.