Compare 16 Social Work. programs in California. Average earnings: $51,025.
With top graduates earning $60,961, Social Work stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $9K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige across California's 16 programs.
La Sierra University's Social Work program leads with graduates earning $60,961, followed closely by UC Berkeley at $60,405. The average across all programs is $51,025, yet this regional private and public flagship demonstrate how program-specific factors drive outcomes more than overall institutional reputation.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. UC Berkeley graduates borrow $13,000 and face just a 4.7% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, Cal State Long Beach leads with an 11.7% family burden—proof that the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $60,961
Strong outcomes ($60,961) with 93% acceptance
4.7% payment burden | Excellent
11.7% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | La Sierra UniversityPrivate | $60,961 | 17 | $27,000 | Good | $24,058 | Challenging |
| #2 | $60,405 | 90 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Manageable | |
| #3 | $59,826 | 69 | $14,289 | Excellent | $15,177 | Good | |
| #4 | $58,152 | 77 | $15,000 | Excellent | $20,820 | Manageable | |
| #5 | $56,474 | 23 | $15,371 | Excellent | $19,732 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $54,364 | 52 | $14,715 | Excellent | $12,000 | Manageable | |
| #7 | Whittier CollegePrivate | $50,846 | 9 | $24,937 | Manageable | $36,148 | High |
| #8 | $50,567 | 224 | $13,000 | Excellent | $12,526 | Manageable | |
| #9 | $50,432 | 244 | $15,000 | Excellent | $16,507 | Manageable | |
| #10 | Azusa Pacific UniversityPrivate | $50,143 | 48 | $23,219 | Good | $26,000 | High |
| #11 | $47,507 | 52 | $18,000 | Good | $18,257 | Challenging | |
| #12 | $47,270 | 74 | $16,552 | Good | $17,585 | Challenging | |
| #13 | $46,206 | 119 | $14,505 | Good | $12,050 | Manageable | |
| #14 | $44,272 | 106 | $15,000 | Good | $25,565 | High | |
| #15 | Fresno Pacific UniversityPrivate | $40,458 | 79 | $23,146 | Manageable | $10,725 | High |
| #16 | $38,512 | 22 | $25,949 | Challenging | $23,250 | 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 →
