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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 32 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.
Leading the list is Baylor University, our #1 for social work graduate salaries in Texas. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career social work graduates from Baylor University make a median of around $55,750 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in social work will find them at Abilene Christian University, which ranked #2. Abilene Christian University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. Early-career social work graduates from Abilene Christian University make a median of around $51,741 per year.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Mary Hardin Baylor one of the highest-paying schools for social work. Located in the suburb of Belton, University Of Mary Hardin Baylor is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career social work graduates from University Of Mary Hardin Baylor make a median of around $49,498 per year.
University Of Houston Clear Lake produces some of the highest-paid graduates in social work, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake typically earn about $49,113 annually.
A rank of #5 makes The University Of Texas At Brownsville one of the highest-paying schools for social work. The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a public school located in the city of Brownsville. Early-career social work graduates from The University Of Texas At Brownsville make a median of around $40,062 per year.
Texas Southern University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Set in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,740.
Austin Community College District earned the #7 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Austin Community College District is a public school located in the city of Austin. Early-career social work graduates from Austin Community College District make a median of around $47,997 per year.
University Of Houston Downtown ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from University Of Houston Downtown make a median of around $58,711 per year.
San Antonio College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a public institution. Social Work graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of about $39,521 a year early in their careers.
Texas Womans University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a public institution. Social Work graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of about $53,706 a year early in their careers.
Texas Christian University earned the #11 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career social work graduates from Texas Christian University make a median of around $60,687 per year.
University Of North Texas earned the #12 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from University Of North Texas make a median of around $56,182 per year.
Prairie View A And M University came in at #13 for social work graduate earnings this year. Located in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Prairie View A And M University typically earn about $49,314 annually.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,239.
Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio earned the #15 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career social work graduates from Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio make a median of around $51,895 per year.
Angelo State University placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Angelo State University is a public school located in the city of San Angelo. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,839.
Lamar University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a public institution. Social Work graduates of Lamar University earn a median of about $49,936 a year early in their careers.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #18 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from The University Of Texas At El Paso make a median of around $48,913 per year.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from The University Of Texas At Arlington make a median of around $48,365 per year.
Texas Tech University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Texas Tech University is a public school located in the city of Lubbock. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $54,331.
Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #21 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from Texas A And M University Central Texas make a median of around $51,991 per year.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #22 spot for social work salaries this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from Texas State University San Marcos make a median of around $46,787 per year.
Tyler Junior College came in at #23 for social work graduate earnings this year. Tyler Junior College is a public school located in the city of Tyler. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $34,306.
Midwestern State University earned the #24 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from Midwestern State University make a median of around $44,251 per year.
Tarleton State University came in at #25 for social work graduate earnings this year. Tarleton State University is a public school located in the town of Stephenville. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $44,285.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid social work ranking:
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 · 32 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.