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 schools below stand out for the salaries their social work graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 100 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.
Ashland University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid social work graduates in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the town of Ashland, Ashland University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Ashland University typically earn about $52,674 annually.
A rank of #2 makes Carthage College one of the highest-paying schools for social work. Located in the city of Kenosha, Carthage College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,577.
Students chasing top earnings in social work will find them at Taylor University, which ranked #3. Set in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,166.
Anderson University Indiana came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Set in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Indiana is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career social work graduates from Anderson University Indiana make a median of around $51,511 per year.
Saint Marys College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in social work, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, Saint Marys College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career social work graduates from Saint Marys College make a median of around $50,474 per year.
Marian University Wisconsin came in at #6 for social work graduate earnings this year. Marian University Wisconsin is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fond Du Lac. Early-career social work graduates from Marian University Wisconsin make a median of around $50,092 per year.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls earned the #7 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a public institution. Social Work graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of about $54,835 a year early in their careers.
Viterbo University earned the #8 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Viterbo University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of La Crosse. Social Work graduates of Viterbo University earn a median of about $53,578 a year early in their careers.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison typically earn about $61,428 annually.
Ohio Dominican University came in at #10 for social work graduate earnings this year. Ohio Dominican University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbus. Early-career social work graduates from Ohio Dominican University make a median of around $47,226 per year.
Bluffton University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Set in the rural area of Bluffton, Bluffton University is a private not-for-profit institution. Social Work graduates of Bluffton University earn a median of about $46,835 a year early in their careers.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire typically earn about $54,942 annually.
Millikin University landed the #13 spot for social work salaries this year. Millikin University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Decatur. Social Work graduates of Millikin University earn a median of about $53,182 a year early in their careers.
Lourdes College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Located in the suburb of Sylvania, Lourdes College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Lourdes College typically earn about $46,178 annually.
University Of Chicago came in at #15 for social work graduate earnings this year. University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. After graduating, social work degree recipients from University Of Chicago typically earn about $69,739 annually.
Mount Mary College earned the #16 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Mount Mary College is a private not-for-profit institution. Social Work graduates of Mount Mary College earn a median of about $45,938 a year early in their careers.
Capital University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Set in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a private not-for-profit institution. Social Work graduates of Capital University earn a median of about $47,490 a year early in their careers.
Adrian College landed the #18 spot for social work salaries this year. Set in the town of Adrian, Adrian College is a private not-for-profit institution. Social Work graduates of Adrian College earn a median of about $45,595 a year early in their careers.
University Of Wisconsin Superior came in at #19 for social work graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Superior, University Of Wisconsin Superior is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Superior typically earn about $50,212 annually.
Depaul University earned the #20 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Depaul University typically earn about $68,094 annually.
University Of Michigan Flint earned the #21 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint typically earn about $52,290 annually.
Loyola University Chicago earned the #22 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Early-career social work graduates from Loyola University Chicago make a median of around $63,572 per year.
Owens Community College placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Located in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a public institution. Social Work graduates of Owens Community College earn a median of about $38,734 a year early in their careers.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #24 spot for social work salaries this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Social Work graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of about $64,619 a year early in their careers.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a public institution. Social Work graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of about $57,185 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 · 100 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.