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.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 16 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.
Our analysis ranked Brookdale Community College the top school for social work graduate earnings in New Jersey. Brookdale Community College is a public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Brookdale Community College typically earn about $45,935 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in social work will find them at Cumberland County College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Vineland, Cumberland County College is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Cumberland County College typically earn about $44,364 annually.
Gloucester County College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Set in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $44,364.
Monmouth University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in social work, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of West Long Branch, Monmouth University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Monmouth University typically earn about $61,225 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Rutgers University New Brunswick earned it the #5 place for social work. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick typically earn about $63,592 annually.
Rutgers University Camden earned the #6 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Rutgers University Camden is a public school located in the city of Camden. Early-career social work graduates from Rutgers University Camden make a median of around $53,428 per year.
Rutgers University Newark placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Set in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Rutgers University Newark typically earn about $53,428 annually.
Georgian Court University came in at #8 for social work graduate earnings this year. Georgian Court University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lakewood. Social Work graduates of Georgian Court University earn a median of about $53,743 a year early in their careers.
Passaic County Community College came in at #9 for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $38,755.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Set in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey make a median of around $55,559 per year.
Montclair State University landed the #11 spot for social work salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a public institution. Social Work graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of about $57,653 a year early in their careers.
Seton Hall University came in at #12 for social work graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,459.
Kean University landed the #13 spot for social work salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from Kean University make a median of around $61,180 per year.
Essex County College landed the #14 spot for social work salaries this year. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from Essex County College make a median of around $34,725 per year.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey landed the #15 spot for social work salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Ramapo College Of New Jersey typically earn about $58,059 annually.
Camden County College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $40,890.
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 · 16 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.