Compare 12 Social Work. programs in Alabama. Average earnings: $38,143.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Social Work tells a different story. Across 12 programs, earnings range from $27,776 to $46,391—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
The University of Alabama's Social Work program leads with graduates earning $46,391, well above the state average of $38,143. Auburn follows at $40,989, while UAB rounds out the top three at $40,627. These public institutions demonstrate that program outcomes don't follow traditional prestige hierarchies.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. The University of Alabama graduates borrow $22,750 and face a 13.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Manageable' category. For families including parent loans, Jacksonville State University leads with a 32.5% family burden, though still in the 'High burden' range—proof that who pays changes the calculation.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $46,391 | 59 | $22,750 | Manageable | $48,666 | High | |
| #2 | Auburn UniversityPublic | $40,989 | 35 | $21,000 | Manageable | $43,605 | High |
| #3 | $40,627 | 55 | $22,300 | Manageable | $20,498 | High | |
| #4 | $40,006 | 30 | $24,929 | Challenging | $26,683 | High | |
| #5 | Alabama A & M UniversityPublic | $39,630 | 35 | $31,000 | Challenging | $19,266 | High |
| #6 | $38,545 | 58 | $22,189 | Challenging | $13,672 | High | |
| #7 | Troy UniversityPublic | $38,183 | 117 | $25,000 | Challenging | $13,842 | High |
| #8 | Miles CollegePrivate | $37,671 | 12 | $31,217 | High | $15,500 | High |
| #9 | University Of MontevalloPublic | $36,843 | 24 | $24,000 | Challenging | $23,233 | High |
| #10 | $36,467 | 51 | $22,077 | Challenging | $18,000 | High | |
| #11 | Alabama State UniversityPublic | $34,589 | 31 | $31,000 | High | $26,622 | High |
| #12 | Talladega CollegePrivate | $27,776 | 10 | $28,500 | High | $14,827 | 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 →
