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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the early-career earnings of their social work graduates.
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.
Valdosta State University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools in Georgia. Valdosta State University is a public school located in the city of Valdosta. Early-career social work graduates from Valdosta State University make a median of around $57,839 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Kennesaw State University earned it the #2 place for social work. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from Kennesaw State University make a median of around $57,548 per year.
Georgia State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in social work, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from Georgia State University make a median of around $58,165 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Georgia earned it the #4 place for social work. University Of Georgia is a public school located in the city of Athens. Early-career social work graduates from University Of Georgia make a median of around $57,218 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in social work will find them at Clark Atlanta University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Atlanta, Clark Atlanta University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career social work graduates from Clark Atlanta University make a median of around $56,916 per year.
Albany State University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Albany State University is a public school located in the city of Albany. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Albany State University typically earn about $50,195 annually.
Savannah State University landed the #7 spot for social work salaries this year. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Savannah State University typically earn about $53,685 annually.
This list is compiled 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.