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 7 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.
Saint Joseph College earned the #1 spot for highest-paid social work graduates in Connecticut. Set in the city of West Hartford, Saint Joseph College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career social work graduates from Saint Joseph College make a median of around $60,647 per year.
Sacred Heart University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in social work, landing the #2 spot this year. Sacred Heart University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fairfield. Social Work graduates of Sacred Heart University earn a median of about $59,083 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #3 makes Central Connecticut State University one of the highest-paying schools for social work. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a public institution. Social Work graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of about $58,899 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in social work will find them at Southern Connecticut State University, which ranked #4. 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.
Students chasing top earnings in social work will find them at Western Connecticut State University, which ranked #5. Western Connecticut State University is a public school located in the city of Danbury. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Western Connecticut State University typically earn about $56,137 annually.
Capital Community College came in at #6 for social work graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from Capital Community College make a median of around $43,591 per year.
Eastern Connecticut State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Located in the town of Willimantic, Eastern Connecticut State University is a public institution. Social Work graduates of Eastern Connecticut State University earn a median of about $56,719 a year early in their careers.
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 · 7 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.