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# Best Social Work Colleges for Social Mobility in the Midwest

Updated October 1, 2026

Regional list from [Best Social Work Colleges for Social Mobility](/rankings/best-social-work-colleges-for-social-mobility/)

Best Social Work Colleges for Social Mobility in the Midwest lists 56 schools in the Midwest that offer Social Work programs. Schools first had to sit at or above the 60th percentile on Azimuth's mobility pillar; those that qualified are ordered by the school's median earnings of all students ten years after entry, highest first, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page.

[University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign](/school/university-of-illinois-urbana-champaign/majors/) ranks 1st on this list, with median earnings of $81,054 for its students ten years after entry. Across the listed schools, median earnings ten years after entry range from $81,054 to $46,600, with a median of $54,900.

Public institutions account for 51 of the 56 schools, while 5 are private nonprofits. University of Michigan-Flint reports the lowest average net price on the page at $7,007.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign sits at the 98th percentile on Azimuth's mobility pillar among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally.

## The ranked list

56 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Median earnings, 10 years after entry | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Pell share | Mobility percentile |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign · Champaign, IL | $81,054 | $14,355 | $2,038 | 23.4% | 98th |
|  | [University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign](/school/university-of-illinois-urbana-champaign/majors/) reports [median earnings of $81,054](/school/university-of-illinois-urbana-champaign/outcomes/) for all students ten years after entry and sits at the 98th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (76 graduates) |
| 2 | Marquette University · Milwaukee, WI | $78,257 | $31,487 | $22,269 | 18.4% | 78th |
|  | A private nonprofit university in Milwaukee, [Marquette University](/school/marquette-university/majors/) posts an [average net price of $22,269](/school/marquette-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 and ranks 2nd on this list. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (14 graduates) |
| 3 | University of Wisconsin-Madison · Madison, WI | $73,792 | $17,354 | $4,200 | 15.9% | 96th |
|  | [University of Wisconsin-Madison](/school/university-of-wisconsin-madison/majors/) shows [median earnings of $73,792](/school/university-of-wisconsin-madison/outcomes/) ten years after entry, and 16% of its undergraduates receive Pell Grants. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (71 graduates) |
| 4 | Loyola University Chicago · Chicago, IL | $71,530 | $36,079 | $28,992 | 23.8% | 77th |
|  | [Loyola University Chicago](/school/loyola-university-chicago/majors/) ranks 4th on this list and reports an [average net price of $36,079](/school/loyola-university-chicago/cost/) alongside a 77th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (67 graduates), Human Services, General (6 graduates) |
| 5 | Michigan State University · East Lansing, MI | $67,253 | $19,680 | $7,068 | 20.1% | 98th |
|  | With [median earnings of $67,253](/school/michigan-state-university/outcomes/) ten years after entry, [Michigan State University](/school/michigan-state-university/majors/) carries an average net price of $7,068 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (54 graduates), Public Policy Analysis (22 graduates) |
| 6 | St Olaf College · Northfield, MN | $65,543 | $23,874 | $10,404 | 21.2% | 61st |
|  | [St Olaf College](/school/st-olaf-college/majors/) posts [median earnings of $65,543](/school/st-olaf-college/outcomes/) for all students ten years after entry and sits at the 61st percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (14 graduates) |
| 7 | University of Iowa · Iowa City, IA | $64,762 | $22,531 | $15,316 | 18.4% | 91st |
|  | [University of Iowa](/school/university-of-iowa/majors/) reports an [average net price of $22,531](/school/university-of-iowa/cost/) and a Pell share of 18% among its undergraduates. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (51 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($52,451) |
| 8 | University of North Dakota · Grand Forks, ND | $63,552 | $18,551 | $13,126 | 17.2% | 76th |
|  | Median earnings of $63,552 ten years after entry coincide with an [average net price of $13,126](/school/university-of-north-dakota/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 at [University of North Dakota](/school/university-of-north-dakota/majors/), which ranks 8th on this list. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (72 graduates), Public Administration (8 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($56,001) |
| 9 | University of Missouri-Columbia · Columbia, MO | $63,403 | $20,268 | $13,841 | 20.1% | 92nd |
|  | A public university in Columbia, [University of Missouri-Columbia](/school/university-of-missouri-columbia/majors/) shows [median earnings of $63,403](/school/university-of-missouri-columbia/outcomes/) ten years after entry and a 92nd percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (17 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($56,157) |
| 10 | University of Minnesota-Duluth · Duluth, MN | $62,616 | $18,743 | $7,256 | 18.8% | 79th |
|  | [University of Minnesota-Duluth](/school/university-of-minnesota-duluth/majors/) reports an [average net price of $18,743](/school/university-of-minnesota-duluth/cost/) and median earnings of $62,616 for all students ten years after entry. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (38 graduates) |
| 11 | Illinois State University · Normal, IL | $62,117 | $19,398 | $11,568 | 32.1% | 94th |
|  | [Illinois State University](/school/illinois-state-university/majors/) ranks 11th on this list, and 32% of its undergraduates receive Pell Grants alongside [median earnings of $62,117](/school/illinois-state-university/outcomes/) ten years after entry. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (57 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($55,089) |
| 12 | University of Kansas · Lawrence, KS | $61,945 | $18,059 | $12,544 | 20.5% | 90th |
|  | [University of Kansas](/school/university-of-kansas/majors/) posts an [average net price of $12,544](/school/university-of-kansas/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 and sits at the 90th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (65 graduates), Public Administration (12 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($55,582) |
| 13 | Ohio State University-Main Campus · Columbus, OH | $60,409 | $17,339 | $4,885 | 20.2% | 96th |
|  | [Ohio State University-Main Campus](/school/ohio-state-university-main-campus/majors/) reports [median earnings of $60,409](/school/ohio-state-university-main-campus/outcomes/) ten years after entry and sits at the 96th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (143 graduates), Public Administration (95 graduates), Public Policy Analysis (32 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Public Administration ($60,678), Social Work ($50,596) |
| 14 | Saint Mary's College · Notre Dame, IN | $59,354 | $25,292 | $16,760 | 23.9% | 80th |
|  | A private nonprofit university in Notre Dame, [Saint Mary's College](/school/saint-marys-college/majors/) has an [average net price of $25,292](/school/saint-marys-college/cost/) and a Pell share of 24%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (18 graduates) |
| 15 | Oakland University · Rochester Hills, MI | $58,612 | $9,120 | $4,422 | 32.0% | 88th |
|  | [Oakland University](/school/oakland-university/majors/) ranks 15th on this list and posts an [average net price of $4,422](/school/oakland-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (91 graduates), Public Administration (9 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($55,754) |
| 16 | University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire · Eau Claire, WI | $58,561 | $16,550 | $10,270 | 19.6% | 82nd |
|  | Ten years after entry, [University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire](/school/university-of-wisconsin-eau-claire/majors/) shows [median earnings of $58,561](/school/university-of-wisconsin-eau-claire/outcomes/) alongside a Pell share of 20%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (61 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($52,461) |
| 17 | Winona State University · Winona, MN | $58,532 | $17,503 | $10,224 | 24.2% | 73rd |
|  | [Winona State University](/school/winona-state-university/majors/) reaches the 73rd percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports [median earnings of $58,532](/school/winona-state-university/outcomes/) ten years after entry. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (85 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($54,056) |
| 18 | Governors State University · University Park, IL | $58,169 | $12,329 | $9,563 | 53.6% | 78th |
|  | With a Pell share of 54%, [Governors State University](/school/governors-state-university/majors/) lists an [average net price of $9,563](/school/governors-state-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (22 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($56,123) |
| 19 | Kansas State University · Manhattan, KS | $57,262 | $19,406 | $13,178 | 20.7% | 81st |
|  | [Kansas State University](/school/kansas-state-university/majors/) ranks 19th on this list and records [median earnings of $57,262](/school/kansas-state-university/outcomes/) ten years after entry. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (31 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($50,480) |
| 20 | Minnesota State University-Mankato · Mankato, MN | $56,922 | $19,139 | $12,339 | 21.0% | 73rd |
|  | A public university in Mankato, [Minnesota State University-Mankato](/school/minnesota-state-university-mankato/majors/) sits at the 73rd percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (73 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($56,858) |
| 21 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville · Edwardsville, IL | $56,346 | $14,889 | $8,483 | 32.7% | 88th |
|  | [Southern Illinois University Edwardsville](/school/southern-illinois-university-edwardsville/majors/) reports [median earnings of $56,346](/school/southern-illinois-university-edwardsville/outcomes/) ten years after entry and an average net price of $14,889. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (33 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($52,480) |
| 22 | Grand Valley State University · Allendale, MI | $56,118 | $16,317 | $12,272 | 29.2% | 92nd |
|  | [Grand Valley State University](/school/grand-valley-state-university/majors/) reaches the 92nd percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions and posts a Pell share of 29%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (112 graduates), Public Administration (53 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($50,690), Public Administration ($49,776) |
| 23 | Central Michigan University · Mount Pleasant, MI | $55,874 | $17,597 | $12,185 | 31.4% | 79th |
|  | Ten years after entry, [Central Michigan University](/school/central-michigan-university/majors/) shows [median earnings of $55,874](/school/central-michigan-university/outcomes/) alongside an average net price of $12,185 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Community Organization and Advocacy (111 graduates), Social Work (42 graduates), Public Administration (22 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Community Organization and Advocacy ($58,344), Social Work ($53,279) |
| 24 | University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh · Oshkosh, WI | $55,548 | $14,305 | $9,236 | 16.1% | 73rd |
|  | [University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh](/school/university-of-wisconsin-oshkosh/majors/) ranks 24th on this list and sits at the 73rd percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Human Services, General (57 graduates), Social Work (48 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($51,044) |
| 25 | University of Wisconsin-Whitewater · Whitewater, WI | $55,356 | $14,158 | $8,440 | 25.2% | 88th |
|  | A 25% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants at [University of Wisconsin-Whitewater](/school/university-of-wisconsin-whitewater/majors/) coincides with [median earnings of $55,356](/school/university-of-wisconsin-whitewater/outcomes/) for all students ten years after entry. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (62 graduates), Public Administration (8 graduates) |
| 26 | Indiana University-Indianapolis · Indianapolis, IN | $55,198 | $11,668 | $5,701 | 37.3% | 89th |
|  | An [average net price of $5,701](/school/indiana-university-indianapolis/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 coincides with a 37% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants at [Indiana University-Indianapolis](/school/indiana-university-indianapolis/majors/), which ranks 26th on this list. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (147 graduates), Public Administration (64 graduates), Community Organization and Advocacy (7 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Public Administration ($60,564), Social Work ($50,246) |
| 27 | University of Northern Iowa · Cedar Falls, IA | $55,177 | $15,901 | $10,863 | 27.4% | 84th |
|  | [University of Northern Iowa](/school/university-of-northern-iowa/majors/) posts [median earnings of $55,177](/school/university-of-northern-iowa/outcomes/) ten years after entry, and its average net price is $15,901. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (73 graduates), Public Administration (6 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Public Administration ($58,307), Social Work ($50,629) |
| 28 | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee · Milwaukee, WI | $54,990 | $15,014 | $10,329 | 32.8% | 90th |
|  | At the 90th percentile on Azimuth's mobility percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions, [University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee](/school/university-of-wisconsin-milwaukee/majors/) reports a 33% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (75 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($50,392) |
| 29 | University of Cincinnati-Main Campus · Cincinnati, OH | $54,810 | $25,648 | $17,974 | 18.8% | 88th |
|  | [University of Cincinnati-Main Campus](/school/university-of-cincinnati-main-campus/majors/) ranks 29th on this list, with [median earnings of $54,810](/school/university-of-cincinnati-main-campus/outcomes/) for all students ten years after entry and an average net price of $25,648. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (73 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($49,465) |
| 30 | Ferris State University · Big Rapids, MI | $54,735 | $8,624 | $2,556 | 34.2% | 84th |
|  | An [average net price of $2,556](/school/ferris-state-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 at [Ferris State University](/school/ferris-state-university/majors/) sits alongside a 34% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (45 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($53,351) |
| 31 | University of Wisconsin-River Falls · River Falls, WI | $54,458 | $14,054 | $8,472 | 20.8% | 72nd |
|  | [University of Wisconsin-River Falls](/school/university-of-wisconsin-river-falls/majors/) reports [median earnings of $54,458](/school/university-of-wisconsin-river-falls/outcomes/) ten years after entry, and its mobility percentile is the 72nd among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (15 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($51,694) |
| 32 | Western Illinois University · Macomb, IL | $54,163 | $12,937 | $6,941 | 28.1% | 70th |
|  | A 28% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and an [average net price of $12,937](/school/western-illinois-university/cost/) are the figures for [Western Illinois University](/school/western-illinois-university/majors/), which ranks 32nd on this page. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (22 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($54,063) |
| 33 | University of Nebraska at Omaha · Omaha, NE | $53,909 | $13,441 | $10,534 | 34.6% | 85th |
|  | [University of Nebraska at Omaha](/school/university-of-nebraska-at-omaha/majors/) sits at the 85th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions, and reports [median earnings of $53,909](/school/university-of-nebraska-at-omaha/outcomes/) for all students ten years after entry. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (45 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($50,169) |
| 34 | Western Michigan University · Kalamazoo, MI | $53,562 | $15,273 | $5,263 | 26.8% | 81st |
|  | An [average net price of $5,263](/school/western-michigan-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 at [Western Michigan University](/school/western-michigan-university/majors/) coincides with a 27% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (73 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($49,850) |
| 35 | Wayne State University · Detroit, MI | $53,493 | $12,766 | $11,090 | 45.7% | 95th |
|  | [Wayne State University](/school/wayne-state-university/majors/) ranks 35th on this list, with a 46% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and [median earnings of $53,493](/school/wayne-state-university/outcomes/) ten years after entry. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (96 graduates), Public Administration (6 graduates) |
| 36 | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale · Carbondale, IL | $53,390 | $13,297 | $9,415 | 38.8% | 88th |
|  | At the 88th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions, [Southern Illinois University-Carbondale](/school/southern-illinois-university-carbondale/majors/) reports an [average net price of $13,297](/school/southern-illinois-university-carbondale/cost/). |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (31 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($49,952) |
| 37 | University of Michigan-Flint · Flint, MI | $53,230 | $7,007 | $1,517 | 38.6% | 70th |
|  | [University of Michigan-Flint](/school/university-of-michigan-flint/majors/) carries an [average net price of $7,007,](/school/university-of-michigan-flint/cost/) the lowest on the page, and reports median earnings of $53,230 for its students ten years after entry. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (37 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($49,165) |
| 38 | University of Missouri-St Louis · Saint Louis, MO | $53,037 | $15,071 | $13,031 | 18.4% | 70th |
|  | A public university in Saint Louis, [University of Missouri-St Louis](/school/university-of-missouri-st-louis/majors/) sits at the 70th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions and ranks 38th on this list. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (74 graduates), Public Administration (7 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($52,337) |
| 39 | Ohio University-Main Campus · Athens, OH | $52,581 | $21,637 | $15,673 | 21.2% | 74th |
|  | [Ohio University-Main Campus](/school/ohio-university-main-campus/majors/) posts [median earnings of $52,581](/school/ohio-university-main-campus/outcomes/) ten years after entry, with an average net price of $15,673 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (35 graduates), Human Services, General (18 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($49,690) |
| 40 | University of Wisconsin-Green Bay · Green Bay, WI | $52,528 | $13,369 | $9,144 | 21.8% | 72nd |
|  | Undergraduates at [University of Wisconsin-Green Bay](/school/university-of-wisconsin-green-bay/majors/) receive Pell Grants at a 22% share, and the school's median earnings reach $52,528 ten years after entry. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (35 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($54,252) |
| 41 | Northeastern Illinois University · Chicago, IL | $52,234 | $14,109 | $13,709 | 55.7% | 80th |
|  | [Northeastern Illinois University](/school/northeastern-illinois-university/majors/) ranks 41st on this list and reports a 56% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants alongside [median earnings of $52,234](/school/northeastern-illinois-university/outcomes/) ten years after entry. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (96 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($53,848) |
| 42 | Cleveland State University · Cleveland, OH | $52,131 | $14,764 | $11,958 | 40.5% | 90th |
|  | [Cleveland State University](/school/cleveland-state-university/majors/) reaches the 90th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions, with [median earnings of $52,131](/school/cleveland-state-university/outcomes/) ten years after entry. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (70 graduates), Public Administration (11 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($48,571) |
| 43 | University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point · Stevens Point, WI | $52,021 | $14,559 | $8,833 | 28.7% | 85th |
|  | With an [average net price of $8,833](/school/university-of-wisconsin-stevens-point/cost/) for families earning under $30,000, [University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point](/school/university-of-wisconsin-stevens-point/majors/) reports median earnings of $52,021 for its students ten years after entry. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (38 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($50,710) |
| 44 | Ball State University · Muncie, IN | $51,833 | $14,940 | $7,834 | 34.7% | 88th |
|  | [Ball State University](/school/ball-state-university/majors/) sits at the 88th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions and carries an [average net price of $14,940](/school/ball-state-university/cost/). |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (54 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($50,321) |
| 45 | Eastern Michigan University · Ypsilanti, MI | $51,793 | $15,407 | $13,250 | 36.6% | 79th |
|  | [Eastern Michigan University](/school/eastern-michigan-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $51,793](/school/eastern-michigan-university/outcomes/) ten years after entry, and its undergraduates receive Pell Grants at a 37% share. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (138 graduates), Public Administration (12 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($52,962) |
| 46 | Wichita State University · Wichita, KS | $51,532 | $13,194 | $9,734 | 30.6% | 73rd |
|  | A public university in Wichita, [Wichita State University](/school/wichita-state-university/majors/) ranks 46th on this list and posts [median earnings of $51,532](/school/wichita-state-university/outcomes/) ten years after entry. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (71 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($49,670) |
| 47 | University of Toledo · Toledo, OH | $50,632 | $17,249 | $13,524 | 27.5% | 79th |
|  | [University of Toledo](/school/university-of-toledo/majors/) reaches the 79th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions, with an [average net price of $13,524](/school/university-of-toledo/cost/) for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (46 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($45,476) |
| 48 | University of Nebraska at Kearney · Kearney, NE | $50,105 | $16,242 | $13,066 | 36.9% | 70th |
|  | Median earnings at [University of Nebraska at Kearney](/school/university-of-nebraska-at-kearney/majors/) reach $50,105 ten years after entry, and the school reports a 37% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (38 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($53,203) |
| 49 | Missouri State University-Springfield · Springfield, MO | $49,827 | $17,613 | $13,718 | 22.0% | 76th |
|  | [Missouri State University-Springfield](/school/missouri-state-university-springfield/majors/) reports [median earnings of $49,827](/school/missouri-state-university-springfield/outcomes/) ten years after entry, and 22% of its undergraduates receive Pell Grants. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (38 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($46,403) |
| 50 | University of Central Missouri · Warrensburg, MO | $49,560 | $14,462 | $10,965 | 26.8% | 60th |
|  | An [average net price of $10,965](/school/university-of-central-missouri/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 coincides with a 60th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions at [University of Central Missouri](/school/university-of-central-missouri/majors/). |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (33 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($51,349) |
| 51 | Wright State University-Main Campus · Dayton, OH | $49,500 | $15,415 | $11,952 | 34.5% | 76th |
|  | [Wright State University-Main Campus](/school/wright-state-university-main-campus/majors/) ranks 51st on this list, with [median earnings of $49,500](/school/wright-state-university-main-campus/outcomes/) ten years after entry. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (45 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($47,235) |
| 52 | Indiana State University · Terre Haute, IN | $48,387 | $10,873 | $6,455 | 41.6% | 78th |
|  | At [Indiana State University](/school/indiana-state-university/majors/), 42% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and the [average net price is $10,873](/school/indiana-state-university/cost/). |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (31 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($46,548) |
| 53 | Bowling Green State University-Main Campus · Bowling Green, OH | $47,896 | $24,022 | $18,396 | 23.1% | 72nd |
|  | [Bowling Green State University-Main Campus](/school/bowling-green-state-university-main-campus/majors/) sits at the 72nd percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports [median earnings of $47,896](/school/bowling-green-state-university-main-campus/outcomes/) ten years after entry. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (54 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($51,267) |
| 54 | Northern Michigan University · Marquette, MI | $47,107 | $14,085 | $7,697 | 28.0% | 71st |
|  | [Northern Michigan University](/school/northern-michigan-university/majors/) posts an [average net price of $7,697](/school/northern-michigan-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000, alongside median earnings of $47,107 ten years after entry. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (21 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($54,836) |
| 55 | Huntington University · Huntington, IN | $46,672 | $19,310 | $10,796 | 27.4% | 70th |
|  | A private nonprofit university in Huntington, [Huntington University](/school/huntington-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $46,672](/school/huntington-university/outcomes/) ten years after entry. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (12 graduates) |
| 56 | University of Akron Main Campus · Akron, OH | $46,600 | $13,946 | $10,413 | 29.1% | 60th |
|  | [University of Akron Main Campus](/school/university-of-akron-main-campus/majors/) ranks 56th on this list and posts an [average net price of $10,413](/school/university-of-akron-main-campus/cost/) for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social Work (75 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Social Work ($50,823) |

## How this list is ordered

Schools first had to sit at or above the 60th percentile on Azimuth's mobility pillar; those that qualified are ordered by the school's median earnings of all students ten years after entry, highest first, as set out on [Azimuth's methodology page](/methodology/#ranked-lists). The figure is the median earnings of federally aided students at each institution, measured ten years after entry, among those working and not enrolled. It does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign leads at $81,054, and the gap to second-ranked Marquette University is $2,797.

## Job market context in the Midwest

In the Midwest, Social Work graduates enter a labor market that includes occupations such as Social and Human Service Assistants, Child, Family, and School Social Workers, and Healthcare Social Workers. The median annual wage across those occupations is $58,430, and a quarter of workers in those occupations earn less than $47,730. The region projects about 1,566 openings a year for every hundred graduates, with more projected openings than graduates. Projections for 2024 to 2034 put employment in those occupations about 6.2% higher. Wages and top occupations exclude management occupations; openings include them. The ranking above uses the median earnings of all students at each school ten years after entry, a different measure from the occupational wage figures described here.

## Related rankings

-   [Best Social Work Colleges for Social Mobility](/rankings/best-social-work-colleges-for-social-mobility/)
-   Public Administration Colleges for Social Mobility
-   [Best Colleges in the Midwest](/rankings/best-colleges-in-the-midwest/)
-   Public Administration Colleges in the Midwest for Social Mobility
-   Public Administration Colleges in the Northeast for Social Mobility
-   Public Administration Colleges in the South for Social Mobility
-   Public Administration Colleges in the West for Social Mobility
-   [Best Public Administration Colleges in the Midwest](/rankings/best-public-administration-colleges-in-the-midwest/)
-   [Best Social Work Colleges in the Midwest](/rankings/best-social-work-colleges-in-the-midwest/)