Compare 427 Social Work. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $42,836. Top programs: $65,182+.
With top graduates earning $65,182, Social Work stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $22K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Topping the list, Molloy College's program delivers $65,182 in median earnings, followed by New York University at $64,289 and University of Nevada-Reno at $63,320. The average across all 427 programs is $42,836, yet these outcomes show program-specific factors drive results more than overall school reputation.
For families, the math changes dramatically. Cuny York College offers a 4.2% student payment burden with 'Excellent' affordability, but when parent loans are included, Cuny Medgar Evers College leads with an 8.7% family burden—proof that the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Molloy CollegePrivate | $65,182 | 28 | $27,000 | Good | $39,248 | Challenging |
| #2 | New York UniversityPrivate | $64,289 | 40 | $20,500 | Excellent | $64,795 | High |
| #3 | $63,320 | 95 | $18,922 | Excellent | $26,150 | Manageable | |
| #4 | La Sierra UniversityPrivate | $60,961 | 17 | $27,000 | Good | $24,058 | Challenging |
| #5 | $60,405 | 90 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $59,826 | 69 | $14,289 | Excellent | $15,177 | Good | |
| #7 | Cuny York CollegePublic | $58,778 | 79 | $11,000 | Excellent | $11,018 | Good |
| #8 | Simmons UniversityPrivate | $58,336 | 18 | $24,840 | Good | $23,772 | Challenging |
| #9 | $58,152 | 77 | $15,000 | Excellent | $20,820 | Manageable | |
| #10 | $58,038 | 72 | $10,988 | Excellent | $10,068 | Good | |
| #11 | Texas Christian UniversityPrivate | $57,255 | 34 | $21,500 | Good | $54,925 | High |
| #12 | Stony Brook UniversityPublic | $57,000 | 58 | $18,228 | Excellent | $21,400 | Manageable |
| #13 | $56,620 | 33 | $14,350 | Excellent | $15,568 | Manageable | |
| #14 | $56,474 | 23 | $15,371 | Excellent | $19,732 | Manageable | |
| #15 | Oral Roberts UniversityPrivate | $56,203 | 16 | $27,000 | Good | $28,450 | Challenging |
| #16 | Adelphi UniversityPrivate | $55,710 | 43 | $25,000 | Good | $48,005 | High |
| #17 | St Catherine UniversityPrivate | $55,686 | 44 | $24,181 | Good | $21,883 | Challenging |
| #18 | $55,652 | 73 | $19,450 | Good | $20,906 | Challenging | |
| #19 | Monmouth UniversityPrivate | $55,265 | 40 | $27,000 | Good | $49,390 | High |
| #20 | Long Island UniversityPrivate | $54,857 | 16 | $23,577 | Good | $36,515 | High |
| #21 | Marist CollegePrivate | $54,749 | 20 | $25,000 | Good | $51,958 | High |
| #22 | $54,364 | 52 | $14,715 | Excellent | $12,000 | Manageable | |
| #23 | University At AlbanyPublic | $54,302 | 26 | $19,500 | Good | $22,398 | Challenging |
| #24 | Carthage CollegePrivate | $53,886 | 9 | $26,000 | Good | $42,940 | High |
| #25 | Syracuse UniversityPrivate | $53,811 | 31 | $26,000 | Good | $39,841 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
