Compare 13 Social Work. programs in Missouri. Average earnings: $37,570.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Social Work tells a different story. Across 13 programs in Missouri, earnings range from $27,936 to $44,274—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Saint Louis University's Social Work program leads with graduates earning $44,274, well above the $37,570 state average. Evangel University follows at $43,244, while Lindenwood University rounds out the top three at $42,023. Despite varying institutional profiles, these programs deliver comparable outcomes based on their specific strengths.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Saint Louis University graduates borrow $25,000 and face a 15.8% payment burden, landing in the 'Manageable' category. When parent loans are included, University of Central Missouri leads with a 27.9% family burden, proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $44,274
Strong outcomes ($44,274) with 81% acceptance
15.8% payment burden | Manageable
27.9% family burden | High burden
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Louis UniversityPrivate | $44,274 | 23 | $25,000 | Manageable | $34,177 | High |
| #2 | Evangel UniversityPrivate | $43,244 | 12 | $24,736 | Manageable | $20,473 | High |
| #3 | Lindenwood UniversityPrivate | $42,023 | 16 | $26,000 | Challenging | $18,445 | High |
| #4 | Avila UniversityPrivate | $41,693 | 9 | $25,000 | Manageable | $19,309 | High |
| #5 | $40,787 | 50 | $21,000 | Manageable | $14,000 | High | |
| #6 | $38,968 | 38 | $21,500 | Manageable | $15,000 | High | |
| #7 | $37,224 | 70 | $20,000 | Challenging | $15,027 | High | |
| #8 | $37,055 | 40 | $21,992 | Challenging | $15,092 | High | |
| #9 | $36,414 | 19 | $19,968 | Challenging | $11,334 | High | |
| #10 | $33,138 | 27 | $20,500 | High | $32,529 | High | |
| #11 | Lincoln UniversityPublic | $32,951 | 17 | $28,875 | High | $14,000 | High |
| #12 | College Of The OzarksPrivate | $32,701 | 17 | — | — | — | — |
| #13 | $27,936 | 39 | $19,174 | High | $10,400 | 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 →
