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 33 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying social work schools.
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 Ohio. Ashland University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ashland. Early-career social work graduates from Ashland University make a median of around $52,674 per year.
Ohio Dominican University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. 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.
Strong graduate earnings at Bluffton University earned it the #3 place for social work. Set in the rural area of Bluffton, Bluffton University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,835.
A rank of #4 makes Lourdes College one of the highest-paying schools for social work. Lourdes College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Sylvania. Social Work graduates of Lourdes College earn a median of about $46,178 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Capital University earned it the #5 place for social work. Located in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Capital University typically earn about $47,490 annually.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #6 for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,453.
Owens Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Set in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Owens Community College typically earn about $38,734 annually.
Wright State University Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a public institution. Social Work graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of about $48,503 a year early in their careers.
Zane State College earned the #9 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Zanesville, Zane State College is a public institution. Social Work graduates of Zane State College earn a median of about $36,389 a year early in their careers.
University Of Toledo came in at #10 for social work graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,761.
Sinclair Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Sinclair Community College is a public school located in the city of Dayton. Early-career social work graduates from Sinclair Community College make a median of around $35,929 per year.
Ohio University Chillicothe Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Ohio University Chillicothe Campus is a public school located in the town of Chillicothe. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Ohio University Chillicothe Campus typically earn about $48,309 annually.
Ohio University Eastern Campus came in at #13 for social work graduate earnings this year. Located in the rural area of Saint Clairsville, Ohio University Eastern Campus is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from Ohio University Eastern Campus make a median of around $48,309 per year.
Ohio University Lancaster Campus placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Ohio University Lancaster Campus is a public school located in the rural area of Lancaster. Social Work graduates of Ohio University Lancaster Campus earn a median of about $48,309 a year early in their careers.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #15 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus typically earn about $48,309 annually.
Ohio University Southern Campus came in at #16 for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Ironton, Ohio University Southern Campus is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Ohio University Southern Campus typically earn about $48,309 annually.
Ohio University Zanesville Campus came in at #17 for social work graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Zanesville, Ohio University Zanesville Campus is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from Ohio University Zanesville Campus make a median of around $48,309 per year.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for social work. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Cincinnati. After graduating, social work degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus typically earn about $46,240 annually.
Cedarville University earned the #19 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,927.
Ohio State University Lima Campus landed the #20 spot for social work salaries this year. Set in the rural area of Lima, Ohio State University Lima Campus is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Ohio State University Lima Campus typically earn about $44,646 annually.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #21 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Columbus. Social Work graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of about $44,646 a year early in their careers.
Ohio State University Mansfield Campus earned the #22 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Ohio State University Mansfield Campus is a public school located in the rural area of Mansfield. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $44,646.
Ohio State University Marion Campus placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Set in the town of Marion, Ohio State University Marion Campus is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Ohio State University Marion Campus typically earn about $44,646 annually.
Ohio State University Newark Campus ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Ohio State University Newark Campus is a public school located in the suburb of Newark. Early-career social work graduates from Ohio State University Newark Campus make a median of around $44,646 per year.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University landed the #25 spot for social work salaries this year. Located in the town of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career social work graduates from Mount Vernon Nazarene University make a median of around $44,483 per year.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid social work ranking:
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 · 33 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.