by our College Data Analytics Team
[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 21 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.
For graduate earnings in social work, no school beat Columbia University In The City Of New York this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York typically earn about $76,461 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in social work will find them at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $71,468.
Students chasing top earnings in social work will find them at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College typically earn about $73,624 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in social work will find them at New York University, which ranked #4. New York University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Early-career social work graduates from New York University make a median of around $70,815 per year.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny College Of Staten Island one of the highest-paying schools for social work. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from Cuny College Of Staten Island make a median of around $67,070 per year.
Fordham University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Fordham University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. Social Work graduates of Fordham University earn a median of about $70,116 a year early in their careers.
Touro College landed the #7 spot for social work salaries this year. Touro College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Social Work graduates of Touro College earn a median of about $65,070 a year early in their careers.
Adelphi University came in at #8 for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a private not-for-profit institution. Social Work graduates of Adelphi University earn a median of about $67,681 a year early in their careers.
Cuny York College came in at #9 for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a public institution. Social Work graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of about $60,020 a year early in their careers.
Yeshiva University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Set in the city of New York, Yeshiva University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career social work graduates from Yeshiva University make a median of around $65,738 per year.
Long Island University C W Post Campus came in at #11 for social work graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $70,227.
Stony Brook University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Stony Brook University is a public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Early-career social work graduates from Stony Brook University make a median of around $69,480 per year.
Suny At Albany ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Suny At Albany typically earn about $65,149 annually.
Syracuse University earned the #14 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Syracuse University typically earn about $63,525 annually.
Suny At Binghamton ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton typically earn about $61,970 annually.
Suny College At Brockport earned the #16 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Suny College At Brockport is a public school located in the town of Brockport. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Suny College At Brockport typically earn about $61,147 annually.
Nazareth College came in at #17 for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Nazareth College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career social work graduates from Nazareth College make a median of around $60,840 per year.
University At Buffalo placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for social work. University At Buffalo is a public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Early-career social work graduates from University At Buffalo make a median of around $55,863 per year.
Roberts Wesleyan College earned the #19 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Roberts Wesleyan College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career social work graduates from Roberts Wesleyan College make a median of around $55,853 per year.
Keuka College came in at #20 for social work graduate earnings this year. Keuka College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Keuka Park. Social Work graduates of Keuka College earn a median of about $50,878 a year early in their careers.
Daemen College placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Located in the suburb of Amherst, Daemen College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career social work graduates from Daemen College make a median of around $49,949 per year.
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 · 21 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.