by our College Data Analytics Team
[Social Work](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. 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 9 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.
Briar Cliff University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid social work graduates in Iowa. Briar Cliff University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux City. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $42,935.
Students chasing top earnings in social work will find them at University Of Iowa, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from University Of Iowa make a median of around $57,547 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Northern Iowa earned it the #3 place for social work. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. Social Work graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of about $50,520 a year early in their careers.
Grand View University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Set in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career social work graduates from Grand View University make a median of around $40,736 per year.
Saint Ambrose University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in social work, landing the #5 spot this year. Saint Ambrose University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Davenport. Social Work graduates of Saint Ambrose University earn a median of about $58,424 a year early in their careers.
Mount Mercy University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career social work graduates from Mount Mercy University make a median of around $37,826 per year.
Wartburg College earned the #7 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Wartburg College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waverly. Social Work graduates of Wartburg College earn a median of about $35,756 a year early in their careers.
Clarke University earned the #8 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Clarke University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. Early-career social work graduates from Clarke University make a median of around $46,552 per year.
Luther College placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Luther College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Decorah. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Luther College typically earn about $30,372 annually.
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.