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 highest-paying schools turn a social work degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 15 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.
University Of Wyoming tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from University Of Wyoming typically earn about $50,305 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in social work will find them at Metropolitan State College Of Denver, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a public institution. Social Work graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of about $53,547 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #3 makes Weber State University one of the highest-paying schools for social work. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,076.
University Of Utah came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. University Of Utah is a public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Early-career social work graduates from University Of Utah make a median of around $55,294 per year.
Boise State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,297.
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #6 for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,722.
Lewis Clark State College landed the #7 spot for social work salaries this year. Lewis Clark State College is a public school located in the city of Lewiston. Early-career social work graduates from Lewis Clark State College make a median of around $54,948 per year.
Utah Valley University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Utah Valley University is a public school located in the city of Orem. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Utah Valley University typically earn about $51,140 annually.
North Idaho College earned the #9 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Coeur d'Alene, North Idaho College is a public institution. Social Work graduates of North Idaho College earn a median of about $36,219 a year early in their careers.
Colorado State University Pueblo landed the #10 spot for social work salaries this year. Located in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from Colorado State University Pueblo make a median of around $47,782 per year.
Mesa State College earned the #11 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a public institution. Social Work graduates of Mesa State College earn a median of about $42,254 a year early in their careers.
Idaho State University landed the #12 spot for social work salaries this year. Idaho State University is a public school located in the city of Pocatello. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Idaho State University typically earn about $43,038 annually.
Utah State University earned the #13 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $44,469.
The University Of Montana came in at #14 for social work graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a public institution. Social Work graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of about $40,480 a year early in their careers.
Brigham Young University Idaho landed the #15 spot for social work salaries this year. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a private not-for-profit institution. Social Work graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of about $39,730 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 · 15 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.