by our College Data Analytics Team
[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 32 schools to find where social work graduates earn the most.
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Below are the schools whose social work graduates go on to earn the most.
Tulsa Community College tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools in the United States. Tulsa Community College is a public school located in the city of Tulsa. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Tulsa Community College typically earn about $48,164 annually.
Brookdale Community College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in social work, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Brookdale Community College typically earn about $45,935 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in social work will find them at Bristol Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from Bristol Community College make a median of around $44,205 per year.
A rank of #4 makes Northampton County Area Community College one of the highest-paying schools for social work. Northampton County Area Community College is a public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $42,138.
A rank of #5 makes Cumberland County College one of the highest-paying schools for social work. Cumberland County College is a public school located in the city of Vineland. Early-career social work graduates from Cumberland County College make a median of around $44,364 per year.
Gloucester County College came in at #6 for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Gloucester County College typically earn about $44,364 annually.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from The University Of Texas At Brownsville make a median of around $40,062 per year.
Austin Community College District placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Austin Community College District typically earn about $47,997 annually.
San Antonio College placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for social work. San Antonio College is a public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $39,521.
Owens Community College placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Owens Community College is a public school located in the suburb of Perrysburg. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Owens Community College typically earn about $38,734 annually.
Clackamas Community College landed the #11 spot for social work salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Oregon City, Clackamas Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $38,645.
Passaic County Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Set in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from Passaic County Community College make a median of around $38,279 per year.
Vincennes University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Vincennes University is a public school located in the town of Vincennes. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Vincennes University typically earn about $36,702 annually.
Zane State College came in at #14 for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Zanesville, Zane State College is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $36,389.
North Idaho College placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Located in the city of Coeur d'Alene, North Idaho College is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from North Idaho College typically earn about $36,219 annually.
Sinclair Community College placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a public institution. Social Work graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of about $35,929 a year early in their careers.
Capital Community College landed the #17 spot for social work salaries this year. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Capital Community College typically earn about $43,591 annually.
Essex County College placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Essex County College typically earn about $34,725 annually.
Tyler Junior College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from Tyler Junior College make a median of around $34,306 per year.
Chemeketa Community College landed the #20 spot for social work salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Salem, Chemeketa Community College is a public institution. Social Work graduates of Chemeketa Community College earn a median of about $33,118 a year early in their careers.
Marion Technical College landed the #21 spot for social work salaries this year. Located in the town of Marion, Marion Technical College is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $32,990.
San Juan College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a public institution. Social Work graduates of San Juan College earn a median of about $32,881 a year early in their careers.
Community College Of Allegheny County placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a public institution. Social Work graduates of Community College Of Allegheny County earn a median of about $32,747 a year early in their careers.
Itawamba Community College earned the #24 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a public institution. Social Work graduates of Itawamba Community College earn a median of about $31,677 a year early in their careers.
Northwest Mississippi Community College earned the #25 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Northwest Mississippi Community College typically earn about $31,474 annually.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid social work ranking:
Explore the highest-paying social work schools at other degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries social work graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 32 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.