Compare 15 Social Work. programs in Minnesota. Average earnings: $46,004.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Social Work tells a different story. Across 15 programs, earnings range from $33,565 to $55,686—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
St Catherine University's Social Work program leads with graduates earning $55,686, well above the state average of $46,004. Concordia College at Moorhead follows at $53,049, while Bemidji State produces graduates earning $48,772—demonstrating that program-specific factors drive outcomes more than institutional prestige.
For families, the math changes significantly. St Catherine offers a 10% student debt burden, but when parent loans are included, Bemidji State leads with a 17.7% family burden—proof that the best choice depends on who's paying. Both schools maintain manageable payment levels for graduates.
Highest program earnings: $55,686
Strong outcomes with 94% acceptance
10.0% payment burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
17.7% family burden | Manageable - payment 12-18% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | St Catherine UniversityPrivate | $55,686 | 44 | $24,181 | Good | $21,883 | Challenging |
| #2 | $53,049 | 14 | $26,847 | Manageable | $29,471 | High | |
| #3 | Bemidji State UniversityPublic | $48,772 | 36 | $19,750 | Good | $12,173 | Manageable |
| #4 | Winona State UniversityPublic | $48,600 | 73 | $21,500 | Good | $19,316 | Challenging |
| #5 | $48,482 | 71 | $20,000 | Good | $16,000 | Challenging | |
| #6 | $48,016 | 57 | $21,058 | Good | $11,598 | Challenging | |
| #7 | University Of St ThomasPrivate | $47,656 | 16 | $23,250 | Manageable | $24,467 | High |
| #8 | $46,679 | 61 | $21,106 | Manageable | $13,695 | Challenging | |
| #9 | Bethel UniversityPrivate | $45,919 | 18 | $21,500 | Manageable | $24,157 | High |
| #10 | $45,091 | 69 | $20,000 | Manageable | $10,000 | Challenging | |
| #11 | $44,189 | 11 | $20,500 | Manageable | $11,750 | Challenging | |
| #12 | $43,198 | 25 | $22,024 | Manageable | $22,127 | High | |
| #13 | Augsburg UniversityPrivate | $41,424 | 26 | $25,347 | Challenging | $17,901 | High |
| #14 | St Olaf CollegePrivate | $39,729 | 13 | $26,000 | Challenging | $40,568 | High |
| #15 | North Central UniversityPrivate | $33,565 | 10 | $23,200 | High | $17,452 | 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 →
