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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 3 schools on the early-career earnings of their social work graduates.
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Below are the schools whose social work graduates go on to earn the most.
Western New Mexico University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid social work graduates in New Mexico. Set in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a public institution. Social Work graduates of Western New Mexico University earn a median of about $53,683 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at San Juan College earned it the #2 place for social work. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from San Juan College typically earn about $32,881 annually.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a public institution. Social Work graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of about $52,248 a year early in their careers.
This ranking is produced 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 · 3 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.