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. The schools below stand out for the salaries their social work graduates go on to command.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find where social work graduates earn the most.
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If you want to know which schools send social work graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
For graduate earnings in social work, no school beat Loyola University Chicago this year. Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Social Work graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of about $56,302 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in social work will find them at Lewis University, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career social work graduates from Lewis University make a median of around $51,558 per year.
University Of St Francis came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. University Of St Francis is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet. After graduating, social work degree recipients from University Of St Francis typically earn about $50,385 annually.
Millikin University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. 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.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #5 place for social work. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Social Work graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $59,589 a year early in their careers.
Governors State University earned the #6 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Governors State University is a public school located in the suburb of University Park. Social Work graduates of Governors State University earn a median of about $47,709 a year early in their careers.
Illinois State University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from Illinois State University make a median of around $50,809 per year.
Aurora University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Aurora University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. Early-career social work graduates from Aurora University make a median of around $51,486 per year.
Northeastern Illinois University landed the #9 spot for social work salaries this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a public institution. Social Work graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of about $49,644 a year early in their careers.
Bradley University earned the #10 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Bradley University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. Early-career social work graduates from Bradley University make a median of around $53,638 per year.
Western Illinois University landed the #11 spot for social work salaries this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Western Illinois University typically earn about $47,489 annually.
University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #12 for social work graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from University Of Illinois At Springfield make a median of around $48,393 per year.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #13 spot for social work salaries this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,780.
Concordia University Chicago ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career social work graduates from Concordia University Chicago make a median of around $40,968 per year.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #15 for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale make a median of around $46,380 per year.
Olivet Nazarene University earned the #16 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University typically earn about $48,574 annually.
National Louis University came in at #17 for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career social work graduates from National Louis University make a median of around $37,205 per year.
Lake Land College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Lake Land College is a public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Lake Land College typically earn about $30,828 annually.
Saint Augustine College landed the #19 spot for social work salaries this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Augustine College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Saint Augustine College typically earn about $33,983 annually.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their social work graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 19 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.