Social Work

Salary data, best schools, and honest ROI assessment

Avg Earnings (4yr)

$40,062

Median Earnings

$51,516

Schools Offering

433

ROI Grade

C+

Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)

25th: $47,607Median: $51,51675th: $56,152

Best Schools for Social Work by Earnings

#	School	ROI	4yr Earnings	Net Price	Major Debt	Grade
1	Providence College RI · Private	76	$70,356	$48,523	N/A	-
2	CUNY Hunter College NY · Public	83	$70,273	$2,984	$9,608	A
3	La Sierra University CA · Private	41	$69,244	$45,566	$35,500	D
4	California State University-San Bernardino CA · Public	78	$69,201	$4,564	$13,018	B+
5	San Francisco State University CA · Public	80	$68,524	$12,278	$17,259	B
6	California State University-Long Beach CA · Public	86	$68,448	$10,440	$11,276	B+
7	Pacific Lutheran University WA · Private	76	$67,458	$19,589	$26,000	B
8	University of California-Berkeley CA · Public	97	$67,393	$13,481	$13,719	B+
9	Iona University NY · Private	70	$66,417	$29,188	$25,749	B
10	Fordham University NY · Private	79	$66,349	$44,338	$27,000	B
11	Adelphi University NY · Private	75	$66,162	$30,783	$25,000	B
12	Texas Christian University TX · Private	71	$65,536	$36,660	$24,000	D
13	The Catholic University of America DC · Private	77	$65,185	$29,561	$25,000	B
14	Dominican University New York NY · Private	43	$64,672	$41,832	N/A	-
15	Boston University MA · Private	90	$63,594	$24,402	N/A	-
16	Seton Hall University NJ · Private	73	$63,559	$31,446	$25,721	C+
17	Portland State University OR · Public	69	$63,456	$9,552	$25,624	C
18	Simmons University MA · Private	72	$62,992	$25,265	$27,000	D
19	CUNY Lehman College NY · Public	78	$62,955	$3,148	$12,690	B+
20	Centenary University NJ · Private	53	$62,373	$20,503	$20,476	B+
21	St Catherine University MN · Private	66	$62,227	$19,764	$30,912	C
22	George Fox University OR · Private	57	$62,201	$31,679	$21,500	D
23	Fresno Pacific University CA · Private	62	$61,951	$13,630	$25,000	C
24	Eastern Connecticut State University CT · Public	55	$61,908	$21,067	$22,325	D
25	Creighton University NE · Private	79	$61,829	$31,568	N/A	-
26	Barry University FL · Private	42	$61,820	$22,613	$30,675	C+
27	Anna Maria College MA · Private	28	$61,652	$28,333	$27,000	B
28	College of Staten Island CUNY NY · Public	67	$61,558	$5,579	N/A	-
29	Pacific Union College CA · Private	57	$61,514	$41,008	N/A	-
30	Skidmore College NY · Private	75	$61,428	$32,297	N/A	-
31	College of Our Lady of the Elms MA · Private	56	$60,938	$17,545	$31,682	D
32	Syracuse University NY · Private	76	$60,920	$38,793	$27,000	B
33	CUNY York College NY · Public	72	$60,820	$4,456	$9,500	A
34	Metropolitan State University MN · Public	72	$60,755	$16,863	$29,615	C
35	CUNY Medgar Evers College NY · Public	56	$60,755	$5,718	$15,096	B+
36	Eastern Washington University WA · Public	66	$60,696	$13,886	$17,109	B
37	Augsburg University MN · Private	53	$60,546	$23,873	$25,737	C
38	Walla Walla University WA · Private	62	$60,449	$23,329	N/A	-
39	University of Nevada-Las Vegas NV · Public	67	$60,344	$10,359	$21,686	C+
40	University of Nevada-Reno NV · Public	75	$60,320	$15,927	$17,905	B
41	Siena College NY · Private	75	$60,100	$33,733	$26,899	B
42	Morgan State University MD · Public	34	$60,082	$14,985	$35,000	D
43	Salem State University MA · Public	58	$60,026	$15,996	$27,000	C
44	State University of New York at Plattsburgh NY · Public	59	$59,925	$17,156	$23,990	D
45	The University of Texas at Austin TX · Public	90	$59,850	$19,857	$21,506	C
46	Widener University PA · Private	74	$59,654	$25,759	$30,750	C+
47	New York University NY · Private	84	$59,593	$37,050	$25,000	D
48	Saint Martin's University WA · Private	57	$59,559	$28,119	N/A	-
49	University of Utah UT · Public	84	$59,551	$16,200	$15,038	B
50	California State University-Los Angeles CA · Public	80	$59,545	$3,967	$11,000	B+

Below Average Value

Is Social Work Worth It?

Proceed With a Plan

The financial returns for Social Work are below average. At $40,062 in average earnings four years out, graduates often face a long payback period, especially at higher-cost institutions. This doesn't mean the field is worthless - it means the financial math demands careful attention to school cost and debt levels.

433 schools offer this major, giving you reasonable options. Compare net prices and graduate earnings at your specific target schools - the range between the best and worst ROI within this field is substantial.

The top school for this major by earnings is Providence College, where graduates earn $70,356 four years out. But averages hide a wide range - where you attend and what you do with the degree matter as much as the major itself.

Best ROI Schools for Social Work All Majors ROI Calculator Compare Schools

Related Majors

Psychology Sociology Public Health

Earnings data represents median earnings 4 years after graduation for graduates of bachelor's programs, as reported by the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Individual outcomes vary significantly based on career path, location, and other factors.