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 5 schools on the early-career earnings of their social work graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose social work graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is Boise State University, our #1 for social work graduate salaries in Idaho. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Boise State University typically earn about $52,297 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in social work will find them at Lewis Clark State College, which ranked #2. Lewis Clark State College is a public school located in the city of Lewiston. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Lewis Clark State College typically earn about $54,948 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at North Idaho College earned it the #3 place for social work. North Idaho College is a public school located in the city of Coeur d'Alene. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $36,219.
Idaho State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Idaho State University is a public school located in the city of Pocatello. Social Work graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of about $43,038 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Brigham Young University Idaho earned it the #5 place for social work. Brigham Young University Idaho is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho typically earn about $39,730 annually.
The ranking above is published 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 · 5 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.