by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 31 U.S. colleges awarded 570 degrees and certificates in Other Social Work. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 86% of graduates. College Factual ranks 14 schools in its 2027 Best Other Social Work Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $49,742 one year after completing, rising to $60,555 after four years.
Studying Other Social Work involves the study of Social Work, Other. Any Program Providing Instruction In Social Work And Related Services Not Listed Above.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., other social work is a popular field of study, with 570 degrees awarded annually. 31 colleges award other social work degrees, an average of 18 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 145.
By level, the 570 awards include 7 certificates, 43 associate degrees, 29 bachelor’s degrees, 488 master’s degrees and 3 doctorates.
Women earned 86% of other social work degrees and certificates in the latest year (491 of 570). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (376) and Hispanic or Latino (74), and international students earned 9.
College Factual ranks 14 schools in its 2027 Best Other Social Work Schools ranking, including 7 for bachelor’s degrees and 8 for master’s degrees. It also ranks other social work schools within 2 states. In all, 31 colleges offer other social work programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Other Social Work Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common other social work credential is the master’s degree: 488 of the 570 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to other social work call most for Speaking, Active Listening and Critical Thinking, and for knowledge of Therapy and Counseling, Psychology and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Speech Clarity.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an other social work degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 7 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 43 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 29 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 488 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 3 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to other social work, at 40.9%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 40.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 29.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 18.6% |
| First professional degree | 3.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 3.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 2.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.7% |
| Some college courses | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
6 occupations are related to Other Social Work, with an average median salary of $77,115; the strongest outlook belongs to Social and Community Service Managers, at 13.3% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Case Manager, Social Worker, Instructor and Adjunct Professor.
The occupation related to other social work with the most projected jobs is Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary, at 839,680.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary | 839,680 | 7.7% |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | 253,503 | 5.8% |
| Healthcare Social Workers | 251,555 | 12.1% |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | 206,409 | 1.0% |
| Social and Community Service Managers | 181,916 | 13.3% |
| Social Workers, All Other | 142,086 | 4.8% |
Other Social Work graduates earn a median $49,742 one year after completing their program, $60,555 after four years and $57,938 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $49,742 |
| 4 years | $60,555 |
| 5 years | $57,938 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to other social work, with a median salary of $156,089.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Social and Community Service Managers | $156,089 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $78,044 |
| Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary | $65,510 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $62,827 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $58,560 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $41,658 |
Other Social Work has 3 similar majors in the Public & Social Service field, which together award 57,553 degrees a year; the largest are Social Work (57,290), Youth Services/Administration (232) and Forensic Social Work (31). Browse all Public & Social Service majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Social Work | 57,290 |
| Youth Services/Administration | 232 |
| Forensic Social Work | 31 |
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