Compare 28 Social Work. programs in Texas. Average earnings: $43,162.
The highest-earning Social Work program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $17K earnings gap across 28 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Texas Christian University's Social Work program leads with graduates earning $57,255, well above the $43,162 average across Texas programs. Abilene Christian University follows at $51,741, while Lubbock Christian University reaches $49,439—demonstrating that smaller Christian universities dominate this field over larger state institutions.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Texas Christian University graduates borrow $21,500 and face just an 8.5% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. For families considering parent loans, University of Houston-Downtown leads with a 16.9% family burden, proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $57,255
Strong outcomes ($51,741) with 100% acceptance
8.5% payment burden | Good
16.9% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Texas Christian UniversityPrivate | $57,255 | 34 | $21,500 | Good | $54,925 | High |
| #2 | Abilene Christian UniversityPrivate | $51,741 | 25 | $24,250 | Good | $26,542 | High |
| #3 | Lubbock Christian UniversityPrivate | $49,439 | 16 | $20,948 | Good | $14,664 | Challenging |
| #4 | $49,035 | 12 | $17,831 | Good | $14,731 | Challenging | |
| #5 | $48,423 | 48 | $24,999 | Manageable | $13,025 | Challenging | |
| #6 | Texas Woman's UniversityPublic | $48,113 | 53 | $19,218 | Good | $13,471 | Challenging |
| #7 | $47,151 | 68 | $20,500 | Good | $26,632 | High | |
| #8 | $47,085 | 56 | $18,750 | Good | $10,000 | Manageable | |
| #9 | $47,084 | 30 | $22,934 | Manageable | $14,224 | Challenging | |
| #10 | Baylor UniversityPrivate | $46,575 | 41 | $23,000 | Manageable | $50,786 | High |
| #11 | $44,984 | 64 | $19,250 | Good | $23,211 | High | |
| #12 | Texas Tech UniversityPublic | $44,302 | 20 | $21,500 | Manageable | $23,443 | High |
| #13 | Texas State UniversityPublic | $44,094 | 111 | $21,000 | Manageable | $22,500 | High |
| #14 | $43,618 | 25 | $29,000 | Challenging | $19,929 | High | |
| #15 | $43,234 | 234 | $17,527 | Good | $12,313 | Challenging | |
| #16 | $42,875 | 47 | $27,000 | Challenging | $16,012 | High | |
| #17 | $41,751 | 20 | $26,000 | Challenging | $34,374 | High | |
| #18 | $41,189 | 48 | $19,500 | Manageable | $12,719 | High | |
| #19 | $41,129 | 12 | $21,030 | Manageable | $19,367 | High | |
| #20 | $40,698 | 84 | $19,606 | Manageable | $17,125 | High | |
| #21 | Angelo State UniversityPublic | $40,468 | 39 | $20,000 | Manageable | $15,000 | High |
| #22 | $40,320 | 54 | $20,500 | Manageable | $15,265 | High | |
| #23 | Saint Edward's UniversityPrivate | $38,718 | 30 | $24,803 | Challenging | $28,135 | High |
| #24 | $38,586 | 72 | $23,409 | Challenging | $18,080 | High | |
| #25 | $38,397 | 36 | $18,000 | Manageable | $11,916 | 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 →
