Compare 6 Social Work. programs in Washington. Average earnings: $48,145.
The highest-earning Social Work program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $20K earnings gap across 6 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus's Social Work program leads with graduates earning $53,568, followed closely by Pacific Lutheran University at $52,819. The average across all programs is $48,145, but this tight clustering shows consistent outcomes—the real differentiation comes in affordability and access.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Washington graduates borrow $14,615 and face just a 6.5% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families, Heritage University leads with a 16.5% family burden, proving that the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $53,568
Strong outcomes ($52,819) with 81% acceptance
6.5% payment burden | Excellent
16.5% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $53,568 | 39 | $14,615 | Excellent | $24,883 | Challenging | |
| #2 | Pacific Lutheran UniversityPrivate | $52,819 | 19 | $22,578 | Good | $25,000 | Challenging |
| #3 | Heritage UniversityPrivate | $52,334 | 59 | $14,573 | Excellent | $18,542 | Manageable |
| #4 | Saint Martin's UniversityPrivate | $50,204 | 12 | $22,500 | Good | $22,678 | Challenging |
| #5 | $46,662 | 64 | $19,500 | Good | $17,148 | Challenging | |
| #6 | Seattle UniversityPrivate | $33,281 | 15 | $19,883 | High | $37,520 | 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 →
