by our College Data Analytics Team
[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The schools below stand out for the salaries their social work graduates go on to command.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find where social work graduates earn the most.
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If you want to know which schools send social work graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
East Carolina University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid social work graduates in North Carolina. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from East Carolina University typically earn about $57,838 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in social work will find them at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill make a median of around $59,920 per year.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a public school located in the city of Wilmington. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $57,858.
Students chasing top earnings in social work will find them at Johnson C Smith University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Charlotte, Johnson C Smith University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Johnson C Smith University typically earn about $56,861 annually.
Western Carolina University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in social work, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Western Carolina University typically earn about $56,936 annually.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #6 for social work graduate earnings this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $56,678.
North Carolina A And T State University landed the #7 spot for social work salaries this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University typically earn about $57,093 annually.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh typically earn about $55,322 annually.
North Carolina Central University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for social work. North Carolina Central University is a public school located in the city of Durham. Early-career social work graduates from North Carolina Central University make a median of around $54,375 per year.
Appalachian State University earned the #10 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a public institution. Social Work graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of about $51,590 a year early in their careers.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Set in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a public institution. Social Work graduates of University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn a median of about $53,130 a year early in their careers.
Fayetteville State University came in at #12 for social work graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a public institution. Social Work graduates of Fayetteville State University earn a median of about $54,388 a year early in their careers.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #13 for social work graduate earnings this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public school located in the city of Greensboro. Social Work graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of about $47,557 a year early in their careers.
This ranking is produced 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 · 13 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.