Compare 18 Social Work. programs in Illinois. Average earnings: $43,545.
With top graduates earning $53,310, Social Work stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $10K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Social Work program leads with graduates earning $53,310, closely followed by Loyola University Chicago at $52,964. The state average sits at $43,545, demonstrating how top programs—including accessible options like Loyola with its 81% acceptance rate—deliver outcomes that challenge traditional prestige assumptions.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates borrow $19,500 and face just an 8.7% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. For families considering parent loans, Northeastern Illinois University leads with a 19.2% family burden, proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $53,310
Strong outcomes ($52,964) with 81% acceptance
8.7% payment burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
19.2% family burden | Challenging - payment 18-25% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $53,310 | 78 | $19,500 | Good | $34,511 | High | |
| #2 | Loyola University ChicagoPrivate | $52,964 | 44 | $24,157 | Good | $54,045 | High |
| #3 | Millikin UniversityPrivate | $47,124 | 10 | $27,000 | Manageable | $25,486 | High |
| #4 | Aurora UniversityPrivate | $45,232 | 141 | $20,318 | Manageable | $19,500 | High |
| #5 | $44,486 | 51 | $20,482 | Manageable | $28,767 | High | |
| #6 | Bradley UniversityPrivate | $44,117 | 20 | $27,000 | Manageable | $41,405 | High |
| #7 | $44,094 | 132 | $14,600 | Good | $13,578 | Challenging | |
| #8 | $43,871 | 19 | $19,128 | Manageable | $13,450 | Challenging | |
| #9 | Olivet Nazarene UniversityPrivate | $43,407 | 21 | $25,000 | Manageable | $21,966 | High |
| #10 | $43,403 | 38 | $20,500 | Manageable | $21,500 | High | |
| #11 | $43,139 | 39 | $25,251 | Manageable | $20,764 | High | |
| #12 | $42,372 | 44 | $18,618 | Manageable | $13,991 | Challenging | |
| #13 | Trinity Christian CollegePrivate | $41,709 | 7 | $25,009 | Manageable | $18,426 | High |
| #14 | University Of St FrancisPrivate | $41,568 | 11 | $21,079 | Manageable | $24,148 | High |
| #15 | Lewis UniversityPrivate | $41,021 | 17 | $21,500 | Manageable | $23,044 | High |
| #16 | $39,975 | 47 | $21,543 | Manageable | $19,500 | High | |
| #17 | National Louis UniversityPrivate | $37,205 | 17 | $19,750 | Challenging | $17,284 | High |
| #18 | Concordia University-ChicagoPrivate | $34,810 | 17 | $23,000 | High | $18,968 | 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 →
