by our College Data Analytics Team
[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The schools below stand out for the salaries their social work graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the early-career earnings of their social work graduates.
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If you want to know which schools send social work graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Leading the list is Northampton County Area Community College, our #1 for social work graduate salaries in Pennsylvania. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from Northampton County Area Community College make a median of around $42,138 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Carlow University earned it the #2 place for social work. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carlow University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Carlow University typically earn about $49,896 annually.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania produces some of the highest-paid graduates in social work, landing the #3 spot this year. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Social Work graduates of West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $59,757 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes Alvernia University one of the highest-paying schools for social work. Located in the city of Reading, Alvernia University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career social work graduates from Alvernia University make a median of around $49,329 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in social work will find them at Widener University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career social work graduates from Widener University Main Campus make a median of around $68,295 per year.
Elizabethtown College came in at #6 for social work graduate earnings this year. Elizabethtown College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elizabethtown. Early-career social work graduates from Elizabethtown College make a median of around $47,909 per year.
Cedar Crest College earned the #7 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Cedar Crest College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Allentown. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Cedar Crest College typically earn about $47,431 annually.
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Social Work graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $66,376 a year early in their careers.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #9 for social work graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus make a median of around $46,526 per year.
Gannon University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Set in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Gannon University typically earn about $44,471 annually.
Temple University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $60,434.
Bryn Mawr College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Bryn Mawr College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Bryn Mawr College typically earn about $62,103 annually.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #13 spot for social work salaries this year. Located in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania typically earn about $54,656 annually.
Marywood University came in at #14 for social work graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Scranton, Marywood University is a private not-for-profit institution. Social Work graduates of Marywood University earn a median of about $58,821 a year early in their careers.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earned the #15 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania make a median of around $52,228 per year.
Eastern University landed the #16 spot for social work salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Davids, Eastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Social Work graduates of Eastern University earn a median of about $47,205 a year early in their careers.
Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne came in at #17 for social work graduate earnings this year. Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Langhorne. Social Work graduates of Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne earn a median of about $44,677 a year early in their careers.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania landed the #18 spot for social work salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Social Work graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $51,125 a year early in their careers.
Community College Of Allegheny County landed the #19 spot for social work salaries this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $32,747.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #20 spot for social work salaries this year. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a public school located in the town of East Stroudsburg. Early-career social work graduates from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania make a median of around $47,208 per year.
La Salle University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $37,453.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. Social Work graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $44,236 a year early in their careers.
Lancaster Bible College placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Lancaster Bible College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lancaster. Early-career social work graduates from Lancaster Bible College make a median of around $35,235 per year.
Messiah College placed #24 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a private not-for-profit institution. Social Work graduates of Messiah College earn a median of about $34,818 a year early in their careers.
This list is compiled 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 · 24 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.