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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find where social work graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose social work graduates go on to earn the most.
Brescia University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools in Kentucky. Located in the city of Owensboro, Brescia University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career social work graduates from Brescia University make a median of around $51,049 per year.
Kentucky State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Located in the town of Frankfort, Kentucky State University is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $42,265.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Louisville earned it the #3 place for social work. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a public institution. Social Work graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of about $47,126 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Kentucky one of the highest-paying schools for social work. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from University Of Kentucky make a median of around $44,253 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Northern Kentucky University earned it the #5 place for social work. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University typically earn about $42,842 annually.
Campbellsville University came in at #6 for social work graduate earnings this year. Campbellsville University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Campbellsville. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,005.
Eastern Kentucky University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a public institution. Social Work graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of about $42,193 a year early in their careers.
Morehead State University landed the #8 spot for social work salaries this year. Morehead State University is a public school located in the town of Morehead. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $40,435.
Western Kentucky University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Western Kentucky University is a public school located in the city of Bowling Green. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Western Kentucky University typically earn about $40,739 annually.
Murray State University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $39,311.
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 · 10 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.