Compare 6 Social Work. programs in Mississippi. Average earnings: $35,981.
With top graduates earning $39,608, Social Work stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $4K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
At the top, University of Southern Mississippi produces Social Work graduates earning $39,608, while Mississippi State follows closely at $39,603. With the state average at $35,981, these programs demonstrate that regional publics dominate outcomes regardless of overall institutional rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Mississippi State graduates borrow $22,142 and face a 17.8% payment burden, landing in the 'Manageable' category. For families including parent loans, University of Southern Mississippi leads with $36,801 total debt, though the 31.3% burden signals careful planning needed.
Highest program earnings: $39,608
Strong outcomes with 99% acceptance
17.8% payment burden | Manageable
31.3% family burden | High burden
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $39,608 | 53 | $22,500 | Challenging | $14,301 | High | |
| #2 | $39,603 | 38 | $22,142 | Manageable | $25,567 | High | |
| #3 | Mississippi CollegePrivate | $38,621 | 15 | $22,500 | Challenging | $16,510 | High |
| #4 | $34,642 | 88 | $20,000 | Challenging | $29,387 | High | |
| #5 | Jackson State UniversityPublic | $34,078 | 84 | $30,470 | High | $15,000 | High |
| #6 | $29,336 | 28 | $28,413 | High | $9,500 | 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 →