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 schools below stand out for the salaries their social work graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the early-career earnings of their social work graduates.
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If you want to know which schools send social work graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Saint Louis University Main Campus earned the #1 spot for highest-paid social work graduates in Missouri. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,171.
Lindenwood University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career social work graduates from Lindenwood University make a median of around $49,067 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in social work will find them at Evangel University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career social work graduates from Evangel University make a median of around $43,165 per year.
University Of Missouri Columbia produces some of the highest-paid graduates in social work, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia typically earn about $49,967 annually.
University Of Central Missouri produces some of the highest-paid graduates in social work, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $42,278.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #6 spot for social work salaries this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a public institution. Social Work graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of about $42,226 a year early in their careers.
Missouri Western State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Set in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a public institution. Students who complete the social work program here go on to a median salary of roughly $44,133.
University Of Missouri St Louis ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a public institution. Early-career social work graduates from University Of Missouri St Louis make a median of around $40,468 per year.
Southeast Missouri State University earned the #9 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a public institution. Social Work graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of about $45,728 a year early in their careers.
Lincoln University Missouri came in at #10 for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Jefferson City, Lincoln University Missouri is a public institution. Social Work graduates of Lincoln University Missouri earn a median of about $32,951 a year early in their careers.
College Of The Ozarks earned the #11 position for social work graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from College Of The Ozarks typically earn about $32,701 annually.
Missouri Southern State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying social work schools. Located in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a public institution. After graduating, social work degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University typically earn about $27,936 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 · 12 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.