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 18 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying social work schools.
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Below are the schools whose social work graduates go on to earn the most.
For graduate earnings in social work, no school beat Concordia College At Moorhead this year. Concordia College At Moorhead is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moorhead. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Concordia College At Moorhead typically earn about $57,260 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at St Catherine University earned it the #2 place for social work. Located in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a private not-for-profit institution. Social Work graduates of St Catherine University earn a median of about $62,568 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #3 makes Metropolitan State University one of the highest-paying schools for social work. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a public institution. Social Work graduates of Metropolitan State University earn a median of about $57,301 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the highest-paying schools for social work. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities make a median of around $71,686 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Augsburg College earned it the #5 place for social work. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Augsburg College is a private not-for-profit institution. Social Work graduates of Augsburg College earn a median of about $66,198 a year early in their careers.
Bemidji State University landed the #6 spot for social work salaries this year. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,542.
Winona State University earned the #7 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a public institution. Social Work graduates of Winona State University earn a median of about $54,119 a year early in their careers.
Bethel University Minnesota landed the #8 spot for social work salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Bethel University Minnesota typically earn about $50,324 annually.
Minnesota State University Moorhead came in at #9 for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Minnesota State University Moorhead typically earn about $52,122 annually.
Saint Cloud State University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University typically earn about $58,104 annually.
Southwest Minnesota State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Set in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,740.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #12 spot for social work salaries this year. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Early-career social work graduates from University Of St Thomas Minnesota make a median of around $67,107 per year.
The College Of Saint Scholastica placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for social work. The College Of Saint Scholastica is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Duluth. Early-career social work graduates from The College Of Saint Scholastica make a median of around $56,965 per year.
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #14 for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $54,735.
St Olaf College earned the #15 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a private not-for-profit institution. Social Work graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of about $45,146 a year early in their careers.
Walden University came in at #16 for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a private for-profit institution. Early-career social work graduates from Walden University make a median of around $57,974 per year.
Capella University placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for social work. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a private for-profit institution. Social Work graduates of Capella University earn a median of about $93,709 a year early in their careers.
University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #18 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from University Of Minnesota Duluth make a median of around $44,276 per year.
This list is compiled 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 · 18 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.