Academic Index Last updated: June 23, 2026

34 Best Universities in California for Social Work

Focusing specifically on Social Work, our data science engine identified the 34 most influential universities in California. Our methodology evaluated 3.05M subject-specific papers and 150.26M citations to find the strongest faculties. This targeted approach bypasses general university reputation, directly revealing the strongest programs.

Active Filters: Social Work California Clear All

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1

Berkeley

University of California – Berkeley

For Social Work

#2 in United States #3 in North America

11% Acceptance

26,133 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1868 Founded

2

Los Angeles

University of Southern California

For Social Work

#11 in United States #12 in North America

10% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1880 Founded

3

Los Angeles

University of California – Los Angeles

For Social Work

#33 in United States #36 in North America

9% Acceptance

37,297 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1919 Founded

4

San Diego

San Diego State University

For Social Work

#56 in United States #60 in North America

36% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

1897 Founded

5

San Francisco

University of California – San Francisco

For Social Work

#86 in United States #98 in North America

13% Acceptance

2,942 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1864 Founded

6

Stanford

Stanford University

For Social Work

#141 in United States #161 in North America

4% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1545 Avg SAT

1885 Founded

7

Irvine

University of California – Irvine

For Social Work

#166 in United States #190 in North America

29% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1965 Founded

8

Davis

University of California – Davis

For Social Work

#193 in United States #219 in North America

42% Acceptance

25,685 Enrollment

1545 Avg SAT

1905 Founded

9

San Diego

University of California-San Diego

For Social Work

#210 in United States #236 in North America

27% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

10

Santa Barbara

University of California – Santa Barbara

For Social Work

#306 in United States #342 in North America

33% Acceptance

45,882 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1921 Founded

11

Riverside

University of California – Riverside

For Social Work

#316 in United States #353 in North America

76% Acceptance

25,685 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1954 Founded

12

Azusa

Azusa Pacific University

For Social Work

#151 in United States #171 in North America

88% Acceptance

910 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1899 Founded

13

Los Angeles

California State University – Los Angeles

For Social Work

#128 in United States #147 in North America

91% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1947 Founded

14

San Diego

Alliant International University – San Diego

For Social Work

#313 in United States #350 in North America

915 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

2001 Founded

$25,481 Net Price

15

San Diego

University of San Diego

For Social Work

#287 in United States #322 in North America

52% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1949 Founded

16

Seaside

California State University – Monterey Bay

For Social Work

#393 in United States #435 in North America

97% Acceptance

28,467 Enrollment

1045 Avg SAT

1994 Founded

17

San Francisco

University of San Francisco

For Social Work

#262 in United States #293 in North America

62% Acceptance

12,326 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1855 Founded

18

San Marcos, CA

California State University – San Marcos

For Social Work

#258 in United States #288 in North America

95% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1989 Founded

19

Loma Linda

Loma Linda University

For Social Work

#348 in United States #385 in North America

74% Acceptance

3,665 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1905 Founded

20

Hayward, CA

California State University – East Bay

For Social Work

#381 in United States #422 in North America

97% Acceptance

31,943 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1957 Founded

21

Fullerton

California State University – Fullerton

For Social Work

#182 in United States #207 in North America

91% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1957 Founded

22

Carson, CA

California State University – Dominguez Hills

For Social Work

#244 in United States #273 in North America

93% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

23

Long Beach, CA

California State University – Long Beach

For Social Work

#79 in United States #90 in North America

46% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1949 Founded

24

San Bernardino

California State University – San Bernardino

For Social Work

#119 in United States #135 in North America

94% Acceptance

16,237 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

25

Los Angeles

California State University – Northridge

For Social Work

#237 in United States #266 in North America

93% Acceptance

23,163 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1958 Founded

26

Chico

California State University – Chico

For Social Work

#296 in United States #331 in North America

93% Acceptance

31,943 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

27

San Francisco

San Francisco State University

For Social Work

#154 in United States #177 in North America

96% Acceptance

5,891 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1899 Founded

28

Santa Barbara

Fielding Graduate University

For Social Work

#405 in United States #449 in North America

82% Acceptance

518 Enrollment

1255 Avg SAT

1974 Founded

29

Arcata

Humboldt State University

For Social Work

#352 in United States #389 in North America

98% Acceptance

18,258 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1913 Founded

30

San Jose, CA

San Jose State University

For Social Work

#108 in United States #123 in North America

85% Acceptance

22,563 Enrollment

1420 Avg SAT

1857 Founded

31

Turlock

California State University – Stanislaus

For Social Work

#338 in United States #375 in North America

98% Acceptance

15,257 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

32

Fresno

California State University – Fresno

For Social Work

#123 in United States #140 in North America

95% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

1911 Founded

33

Bakersfield

California State University – Bakersfield

For Social Work

#321 in United States #358 in North America

94% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1965 Founded

34

Sacramento

California State University – Sacramento

For Social Work

#136 in United States #156 in North America

94% Acceptance

12,326 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1947 Founded