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.
College Factual analyzed 9 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.
For graduate earnings in social work, no school beat George Mason University this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from George Mason University typically earn about $60,768 annually.
Longwood University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Longwood University is a public school located in the town of Farmville. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,849.
Strong graduate earnings at Radford University earned it the #3 place for social work. Radford University is a public school located in the town of Radford. Early-career social work graduates from Radford University make a median of around $48,970 per year.
A rank of #4 makes Mary Baldwin College one of the highest-paying schools for social work. Set in the city of Staunton, Mary Baldwin College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,745.
Virginia Commonwealth University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in social work, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University make a median of around $52,309 per year.
James Madison University earned the #6 position for social work graduate earnings this year. James Madison University is a public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Social Work graduates of James Madison University earn a median of about $54,376 a year early in their careers.
Ferrum College placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Ferrum College is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Ferrum. Early-career social work graduates from Ferrum College make a median of around $39,139 per year.
Liberty University landed the #8 spot for social work salaries this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Liberty University typically earn about $38,828 annually.
Virginia State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Located in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a public institution. Social Work graduates of Virginia State University earn a median of about $50,442 a year early in their careers.
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 · 9 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.