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. The highest-paying schools turn a social work degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 7 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.
Fort Hays State University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid social work graduates in Kansas. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Fort Hays State University typically earn about $46,993 annually.
Kansas State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,230.
Strong graduate earnings at Washburn University earned it the #3 place for social work. Washburn University is a public school located in the city of Topeka. Social Work graduates of Washburn University earn a median of about $53,828 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Newman University earned it the #4 place for social work. Set in the city of Wichita, Newman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career social work graduates from Newman University make a median of around $53,680 per year.
University Of Kansas came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from University Of Kansas typically earn about $54,731 annually.
Wichita State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from Wichita State University make a median of around $50,867 per year.
Pittsburg State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Pittsburg State University is a public school located in the town of Pittsburg. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Pittsburg State University typically earn about $42,422 annually.
The ranking above is published 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 · 7 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.