by our College Data Analytics Team
[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The highest-paying schools turn a social work degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 35 schools on the early-career earnings of their social work graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose social work graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is San Jose State University, our #1 for social work graduate salaries in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a public institution. Social Work graduates of San Jose State University earn a median of about $102,199 a year early in their careers.
San Francisco State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in social work, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from San Francisco State University typically earn about $90,439 annually.
California State University East Bay produces some of the highest-paid graduates in social work, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from California State University East Bay typically earn about $94,698 annually.
California State University Bakersfield produces some of the highest-paid graduates in social work, landing the #4 spot this year. California State University Bakersfield is a public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Social Work graduates of California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $78,867 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in social work will find them at California State University Monterey Bay, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from California State University Monterey Bay make a median of around $84,843 per year.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #6 for social work graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles typically earn about $88,174 annually.
California State University Long Beach landed the #7 spot for social work salaries this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a public institution. Social Work graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of about $84,404 a year early in their careers.
California State University Sacramento earned the #8 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a public institution. Social Work graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of about $84,839 a year early in their careers.
California State University Stanislaus landed the #9 spot for social work salaries this year. California State University Stanislaus is a public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Social Work graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of about $80,032 a year early in their careers.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #10 position for social work graduate earnings this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Early-career social work graduates from University Of California Los Angeles make a median of around $82,792 per year.
California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #11 spot for social work salaries this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills typically earn about $80,731 annually.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #12 for social work graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a public institution. Social Work graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of about $77,306 a year early in their careers.
California State University Fresno placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for social work. California State University Fresno is a public school located in the city of Fresno. After graduating, social work degree recipients from California State University Fresno typically earn about $79,777 annually.
California State University Northridge placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from California State University Northridge make a median of around $79,887 per year.
California State University Fullerton placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for social work. California State University Fullerton is a public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Social Work graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of about $78,871 a year early in their careers.
Azusa Pacific University placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University typically earn about $78,483 annually.
San Diego State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a public institution. Social Work graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of about $76,958 a year early in their careers.
California State University Chico earned the #18 position for social work graduate earnings this year. California State University Chico is a public school located in the city of Chico. After graduating, social work degree recipients from California State University Chico typically earn about $73,410 annually.
California State University San Marcos placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a public institution. Social Work graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $72,619 a year early in their careers.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. Social Work graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of about $73,295 a year early in their careers.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #21 for social work graduate earnings this year. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public school located in the city of Tacoma. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $73,295.
University Of Alaska Anchorage landed the #22 spot for social work salaries this year. University Of Alaska Anchorage is a public school located in the city of Anchorage. Social Work graduates of University Of Alaska Anchorage earn a median of about $69,992 a year early in their careers.
Seattle University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career social work graduates from Seattle University make a median of around $65,650 per year.
Hawaii Pacific University landed the #24 spot for social work salaries this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, Hawaii Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career social work graduates from Hawaii Pacific University make a median of around $68,975 per year.
Humboldt State University landed the #25 spot for social work salaries this year. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a public institution. Social Work graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of about $72,074 a year early in their careers.
These schools also send social work graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
The ranking above is published 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 · 35 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.