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 highest-paying schools turn a social work degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 9 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.
Mcdaniel College tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools in Maryland. Located in the town of Westminster, Mcdaniel College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career social work graduates from Mcdaniel College make a median of around $56,787 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in social work will find them at University Of Maryland Baltimore, which ranked #2. University Of Maryland Baltimore is a public school located in the city of Baltimore. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $70,072.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County typically earn about $59,755 annually.
Morgan State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Morgan State University typically earn about $61,231 annually.
Salisbury University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,037.
Coppin State University came in at #6 for social work graduate earnings this year. Coppin State University is a public school located in the city of Baltimore. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Coppin State University typically earn about $52,129 annually.
Bowie State University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Set in the suburb of Bowie, Bowie State University is a public institution. Social Work graduates of Bowie State University earn a median of about $56,184 a year early in their careers.
Hood College placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Located in the city of Frederick, Hood College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career social work graduates from Hood College make a median of around $48,777 per year.
Frostburg State University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Set in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $37,836.
This ranking is produced 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 · 9 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.