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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 24 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 Saint Joseph College the top school for social work graduate earnings in the New England Region. Located in the city of West Hartford, Saint Joseph College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Saint Joseph College typically earn about $60,647 annually.
Sacred Heart University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Sacred Heart University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fairfield. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Sacred Heart University typically earn about $59,083 annually.
Providence College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in social work, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Providence, Providence College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career social work graduates from Providence College make a median of around $57,571 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in social work will find them at Bristol Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from Bristol Community College make a median of around $44,205 per year.
Salve Regina University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Located in the suburb of Newport, Salve Regina University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,695.
Boston University came in at #6 for social work graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. Social Work graduates of Boston University earn a median of about $52,596 a year early in their careers.
University Of Massachusetts Boston earned the #7 position for social work graduate earnings this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a public school located in the city of Boston. Social Work graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of about $53,689 a year early in their careers.
Salem State University came in at #8 for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,211.
Central Connecticut State University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Central Connecticut State University typically earn about $58,899 annually.
Vermont Technical College came in at #10 for social work graduate earnings this year. Located in the rural area of Randolph, Vermont Technical College is a public institution. Social Work graduates of Vermont Technical College earn a median of about $45,758 a year early in their careers.
Westfield State University placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Westfield State University is a public school located in the suburb of Westfield. Social Work graduates of Westfield State University earn a median of about $56,371 a year early in their careers.
College Of Our Lady Of The Elms ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Set in the suburb of Chicopee, College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career social work graduates from College Of Our Lady Of The Elms make a median of around $53,977 per year.
University Of Southern Maine ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine typically earn about $51,132 annually.
Simmons College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Set in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a private not-for-profit institution. Social Work graduates of Simmons College earn a median of about $59,343 a year early in their careers.
Bridgewater State University placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,143.
Plymouth State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Located in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth State University is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,700.
Southern Connecticut State University placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Set in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from Southern Connecticut State University make a median of around $56,869 per year.
Western Connecticut State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Western Connecticut State University is a public school located in the city of Danbury. Social Work graduates of Western Connecticut State University earn a median of about $56,137 a year early in their careers.
Capital Community College landed the #19 spot for social work salaries this year. Capital Community College is a public school located in the city of New Britain. Early-career social work graduates from Capital Community College make a median of around $43,591 per year.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earned the #20 position for social work graduate earnings this year. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a public school located in the town of Durham. Early-career social work graduates from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus make a median of around $49,321 per year.
University Of Maine placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for social work. University Of Maine is a public school located in the suburb of Orono. Early-career social work graduates from University Of Maine make a median of around $43,549 per year.
University Of Vermont earned the #22 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from University Of Vermont typically earn about $52,898 annually.
Rhode Island College earned the #23 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Rhode Island College is a public school located in the suburb of Providence. Social Work graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of about $50,901 a year early in their careers.
Eastern Connecticut State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Set in the town of Willimantic, Eastern Connecticut State University is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Eastern Connecticut State University typically earn about $56,719 annually.
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 · 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.