Compare 8 Social Work. programs in Maryland. Average earnings: $46,883.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Social Work tells a different story. Across 8 programs in Maryland, earnings range from $29,141 to $52,571—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
University of Maryland-Baltimore County's Social Work program leads with graduates earning $52,571, well above the state average of $46,883. Close behind, Bowie State University delivers $51,598 and Salisbury University reaches $51,043—proving that program-specific factors drive outcomes more than institutional prestige.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. UMBC graduates borrow $19,500 and face just an 8.9% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37, graduates can manage their loans comfortably while building their social work careers.
Highest program earnings: $52,571
Strong outcomes with 74% acceptance
8.9% payment burden | Good
23.1% family burden | Challenging
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $52,571 | 112 | $19,500 | Good | $26,987 | Challenging | |
| #2 | Bowie State UniversityPublic | $51,598 | 41 | $22,985 | Good | $23,158 | Challenging |
| #3 | Salisbury UniversityPublic | $51,043 | 137 | $21,000 | Good | $33,815 | High |
| #4 | Mcdaniel CollegePrivate | $50,559 | 18 | $25,000 | Manageable | $31,791 | High |
| #5 | Morgan State UniversityPublic | $49,525 | 61 | $27,250 | Manageable | $22,000 | High |
| #6 | Hood CollegePrivate | $45,833 | 17 | $25,000 | Manageable | $23,522 | High |
| #7 | Coppin State UniversityPublic | $44,797 | 31 | $25,000 | Manageable | $14,554 | High |
| #8 | $29,141 | 22 | $21,105 | High | $21,004 | 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 →
