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 6 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.
Winthrop University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid social work graduates in South Carolina. Winthrop University is a public school located in the city of Rock Hill. Social Work graduates of Winthrop University earn a median of about $47,517 a year early in their careers.
South Carolina State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in social work, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Orangeburg, South Carolina State University is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from South Carolina State University make a median of around $39,745 per year.
A rank of #3 makes Columbia College South Carolina one of the highest-paying schools for social work. Set in the city of Columbia, Columbia College South Carolina is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $39,693.
Students chasing top earnings in social work will find them at Limestone College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Gaffney, Limestone College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $39,006.
University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a public school located in the city of Columbia. Early-career social work graduates from University Of South Carolina Columbia make a median of around $45,169 per year.
Benedict College came in at #6 for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Columbia, Benedict College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career social work graduates from Benedict College make a median of around $30,295 per year.
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 · 6 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.