Looking for the best PhD in Social Work in Pennsylvania? You should consider these top-tier institutions and jobs in the social work field.
Credit: DenisTangneyJr | iStock | Getty Images Plus
TheBestSchools.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
Are you ready to discover your college program?
Credit: DenisTangneyJr | iStock | Getty Images Plus
See below for lists of the best degrees in Pennsylvania for social work. These are the degrees you should consider if you want to gain a high-quality education that will prepare you for a successful career. A doctorate is a great way to prepare for the workforce and pursue diverse careers. With a doctorate, students gain the skills required to move forward in their careers.
Those with a doctorate typically make about $1,909 per week, or $7,636 a month and $99,268 annually. With a doctorate, unemployment is 1.5%, while with a high school diploma it is 6.2%.
Social Work PhD Programs for You
Working and Living in Pennsylvania in the Social Work Profession
Aspiring social workers can explore many career opportunities but need a degree. Social work programs have many courses and specializations, depending on the area in which you want to work after graduation. This includes healthcare and substance abuse treatment as well as working with people with a disability or disability rights law.
The salary in Pennsylvania is $44,900 a year, or $21.59 an hour. The state reports that this data applies to the 5,583,410 employees working here currently. Typically, the lowest 10% of earners bring in $23,120 a year. The highest 10% make $99,330 per year. Here is a comparison of the earnings for social workers in Pennsylvania.
Key
Social Workers in Pennsylvania
Social Workers Nationally
All Occupations in Pennsylvania
All Occupations Nationally
Salaries for Social Workers in Pennsylvania and Nationwide
Chart
Bar chart with 5 bars.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying
salary types.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying annual salaries in USD.
End of interactive chart.
MERIC ranks Pennsylvania as number 15 out of 51 states (including Washington D.C.) on its cost of living index. An index of the cost of living compares the average cost of living in the United States with specific parts of the country. As a whole, the U.S. average is set at 100, and every location in the U.S. has either a cost above (higher) or below (lower) the U.S. average. The cost of living index for Pennsylvania is 97.9, which is -2.1% lower than the national average. The cost of living in Pennsylvania varies depending on the location.
Chart
Bar chart with 5 bars.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying values.
End of interactive chart.
A 5.8% growth rate is projected for social workers over the next decade. Currently, jobs for social workers are projected to change from 71,400 in 2020, to 75,500 by 2030. Professionals qualify for many positions with a doctorate.
#1 Doctoral Degrees in Social Work in Pennsylvania
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA
4 years
Campus
The online Ph.D. in social work program, offered by Bryn Mawr College, ranks as a top program in the field. With its flexible format, the private university helps degree-seekers complete a doctorate. Doctoral students conduct research and participate in academic conferences.
The social work program incorporates doctoral coursework. Doctoral candidates pass comprehensive examinations and conduct research for their dissertation. With a doctorate in social work, graduates pursue academic, research, and industry roles.
Online doctoral students at the accredited institution pay for their degree with scholarships, fellowships, and loans. Contact the social work program for more information about doctoral admissions.
Bryn Mawr College at a Glance:
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 9-to-1
Graduate Tuition Rate: $45,240
Average Tuition
In-state
$53,180
Out-of-state
$53,180
Retention Rate
87%
Admission Rate
38%
Students Enrolled
1,634
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
Not provided
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#2 Doctoral Degrees in Social Work in Pennsylvania
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Kutztown, PA
4 years
Online + Campus
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania offers an online doctor of social work program for graduate students. The public university helps degree-seekers complete a doctorate in a flexible format. Doctoral students engage in advanced research and benefit from support services.
In the social work program, graduate learners take advanced courses. After meeting coursework requirements, doctoral candidates conduct research and defend an original dissertation that contributes to the field. A doctorate in social work trains graduates for roles in research, academia, and leadership.
At the accredited institution, doctoral students qualify for several forms of financial aid. Contact the social work program to learn more about the enrollment process and start dates.
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania at a Glance:
Online Student Enrollment: 1,949
Online Master's Programs: 3
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 18-to-1
Graduate Tuition Rate: $9,288
Average Tuition
In-state
$7,716
Out-of-state
$11,574
Retention Rate
77%
Admission Rate
93%
Students Enrolled
7,890
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
96%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#3 Doctoral Degrees in Social Work in Pennsylvania
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Millersville, PA
4 years
Online + Campus
The doctor of social work program at Millersville University of Pennsylvania uses an online learning format. The public university offers flexible enrollment options for degree-seekers. Doctoral students strengthen their research skills and present in academic conferences.
In the social work program, learners take advanced doctoral coursework. Doctoral candidates move through the program by passing exams and researching a dissertation project. A doctorate in social work trains graduates for roles in research, academia, and leadership.
At the accredited institution, doctoral students can use fellowships, scholarships, and other forms of financial aid to pay for their degree. Contact the social work program for more information about financial aid and the admission process.
Millersville University of Pennsylvania at a Glance:
Online Student Enrollment: 1,935
Online Master's Programs: 2
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 19-to-1
Graduate Tuition Rate: $9,288
Average Tuition
In-state
$9,570
Out-of-state
$19,290
Retention Rate
75%
Admission Rate
85%
Students Enrolled
7,456
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
98%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#4 Doctoral Degrees in Social Work in Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
4 years
Online + Campus
The doctorate in clinical social work program at the University of Pennsylvania uses an online learning format. At the private university, degree-seekers participate in virtual classrooms to earn a doctorate. Doctoral students receive research support and participate in scholarly events.
In the social work program, learners complete doctoral coursework and strengthen advanced skills. The program also requires passing scores on a comprehensive examination and the successful defense of an original dissertation project. Graduates with a social work doctorate pursue roles in research, academia, and leadership.
Doctoral students who enroll online at the accredited institution qualify for fellowships, scholarships, and other forms of financial aid. Prospective applicants can contact the program to learn more about research support, financial aid opportunities, and admission requirements.
University of Pennsylvania at a Glance:
Online Student Enrollment: 1,533
Online Master's Programs: 3
Online Doctoral Programs: 1
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 6-to-1
Graduate Tuition Rate: $36,254
Average Tuition
In-state
$53,166
Out-of-state
$53,166
Retention Rate
95%
Admission Rate
9%
Students Enrolled
26,552
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
85%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#5 Doctoral Degrees in Social Work in Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
4 years
Online + Campus
The online Ph.D. in social work program at the University of Pittsburgh ranks among the best in its field. Thanks to a flexible format, the public institution makes it easier to complete a doctorate. Doctoral students work closely with faculty mentors and career advisors.
During the social work program, learners take doctoral courses to earn their degree. After meeting coursework requirements, doctoral candidates pass a comprehensive examination and conduct research for an original dissertation or project. As the terminal degree in social work, the doctoral program trains graduates for roles in academia, research, and industry.
Doctoral students qualify for federal financial aid and fellowships at the accredited institution. Contact the social work program to learn more about doctoral admission requirements.
University of Pittsburgh at a Glance:
Online Student Enrollment: 1,274
Online Master's Programs: 6
Online Doctoral Programs: 2
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14-to-1
Graduate Tuition Rate: $23,530
Average Tuition
In-state
$18,628
Out-of-state
$32,656
Retention Rate
93%
Admission Rate
64%
Students Enrolled
32,277
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
23%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Financing a Doctorate in Social Work
College can be financed in many ways through financial aid programs and grants. Many opportunities for financial aid include scholarships and fellowships. There are some students who qualify for federal and private student loans as well as scholarships. The colleges you are interested in may also have their own scholarships available to applicants. Do your research to learn what kind of financial aid might be available.
Checklist for Maximizing Your Financial Aid:
The FAFSA allows degree-seekers to use federal student aid to pay for their degree.
For scholarship, grant, and work-study opportunities, students should contact the university's financial aid office.
Average Cost of Attending College in Pennsylvania
Depending on the institution, tuition and other costs in Pennsylvania will vary. Even so, there are some similarities that exist among institutions of all sizes. Use the information below to decide whether attending a public institution is the right choice for you.
Public 4-Year School Tuition Rates: Pennsylvania vs. National Average
Key
Pennsylvania
National Average
Chart
Bar chart with 5 bars.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying
salary types.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying annual salaries in USD.
End of interactive chart.
How about attending a private college? Generally, private schools charge a higher tuition rate. You can learn more about private colleges in the following graph.
Private 4-Year School Tuition Rates: Pennsylvania vs. National Average
Key
Pennsylvania
National Average
Chart
Bar chart with 5 bars.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying
salary types.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying annual salaries in USD.
End of interactive chart.
Federal Student Loan Information
In order to pay for your education, have you considered borrowing student loans? There are a few things you should keep in mind before taking out a loan.
You must ensure that you can repay the loan on time.
You should consider whether a degree from your chosen school will advance your career goals.
It is important to understand what type of repayment schedule will apply so that you will not face undue hardship once you have begun earning a living.
Review the data below to learn about the types of loans that students typically take out.
Undergraduate Federal Loans
Demographic
Percent who borrowed
Amount borrowed
Total
66.6%
$27,400
Female
69.6%
$28,100
Male
62.5%
$26,500
White, not Hispanic or Latino
66.1%
$26,700
Black, not Hispanic or Latino
85.7%
$34,800
Hispanic or Latino/a, of any race
67.7%
$25,700
Asian, not Hispanic or Latino
43%
$22,700
Other or Two or more races,
not Hispanic or Latino
The major differences between an online program and a program completed on campus are the cost and the class size. An online program offers many advantages, including flexibility, affordability, and convenience. Because student fees are optional for distance students, on-campus programs usually cost more. There are many benefits to attending classes in spite of the drawbacks.
Private and public colleges differ in many ways. Public and private institutions differ in terms of costs. Generally, the costs of education at public institutions are covered by grants and scholarships sponsored by the government. A private college often offers merit scholarships to those who demonstrate superior academic performance.
There is also a tendency for private colleges to feature smaller classes, which means more one-on-one communication with instructors and a better understanding of the possibilities within their chosen field of study. There are several benefits and drawbacks to attending a private versus a public institution.
Pros and Cons
Private
Unique program offerings
Cultural or religious options
Local prestige
Higher costs
Less regulatory oversight
Public
Government-issued tuition costs
Government funding, benefits, and regulation
Oftentimes large classrooms
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the wages for social workers in Pennsylvania?
