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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying social work schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send social work graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
San Jose State University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid social work graduates in California. San Jose State University is a public school located in the city of San Jose. Social Work graduates of San Jose State University earn a median of about $64,522 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at San Francisco State University earned it the #2 place for social work. San Francisco State University is a public school located in the city of San Francisco. After graduating, social work degree recipients from San Francisco State University typically earn about $66,675 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #3 place for social work. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $68,779.
Strong graduate earnings at California State University Long Beach earned it the #4 place for social work. California State University Long Beach is a public school located in the city of Long Beach. Early-career social work graduates from California State University Long Beach make a median of around $64,415 per year.
A rank of #5 makes La Sierra University one of the highest-paying schools for social work. Located in the city of Riverside, La Sierra University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career social work graduates from La Sierra University make a median of around $58,985 per year.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #6 spot for social work salaries 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 $61,618 a year early in their careers.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #7 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 $59,861 annually.
California State University Sacramento earned the #8 position for social work graduate earnings this year. California State University Sacramento is a public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $56,867.
Azusa Pacific University earned the #9 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Set 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 $63,166 annually.
Humboldt State University landed the #10 spot for social work salaries this year. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $57,147.
California State University Chico ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. California State University Chico is a public school located in the city of Chico. Social Work graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of about $55,090 a year early in their careers.
San Diego State University placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for social work. San Diego State University is a public school located in the city of San Diego. After graduating, social work degree recipients from San Diego State University typically earn about $53,843 annually.
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System came in at #13 for social work graduate earnings this year. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a public school located in the suburb of Aliso Viejo. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,024.
Fresno Pacific University earned the #14 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Fresno Pacific University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fresno. Social Work graduates of Fresno Pacific University earn a median of about $40,458 a year early in their careers.
California State University Fresno came in at #15 for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from California State University Fresno make a median of around $52,602 per year.
Mount St Marys College came in at #16 for social work graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Mount St Marys College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $38,512.
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 · 16 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.