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.
College Factual analyzed 11 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.
Our analysis ranked University Of Michigan Ann Arbor the top school for social work graduate earnings in Michigan. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor make a median of around $64,619 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Spring Arbor University earned it the #2 place for social work. Set in the rural area of Spring Arbor, Spring Arbor University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Spring Arbor University typically earn about $56,275 annually.
Eastern Michigan University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in social work, landing the #3 spot this year. Eastern Michigan University is a public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Early-career social work graduates from Eastern Michigan University make a median of around $59,683 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in social work will find them at Ferris State University, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Ferris State University typically earn about $60,146 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in social work will find them at Michigan State University, which ranked #5. Michigan State University is a public school located in the city of East Lansing. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Michigan State University typically earn about $60,490 annually.
Western Michigan University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Western Michigan University is a public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,635.
Wayne State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a public institution. Social Work graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of about $59,639 a year early in their careers.
Grand Valley State University earned the #8 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,895.
Saginaw Valley State University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,511.
Madonna University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Madonna University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Livonia. Social Work graduates of Madonna University earn a median of about $49,774 a year early in their careers.
Andrews University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Andrews University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,360.
This ranking is produced 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 · 11 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.