Compare 7 Social Work. programs in West Virginia. Average earnings: $38,423.
The highest-earning Social Work program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $17K earnings gap across 7 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
At the top, Shepherd University produces Social Work graduates earning $45,931, well above the $38,423 average across West Virginia programs. West Virginia University follows closely at $45,128, while Marshall University delivers $40,200—demonstrating that program quality varies even among established institutions.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Shepherd University graduates borrow $21,600 and face a 12.7% payment burden, landing in the 'Manageable' category. Marshall's graduates carry more debt relative to earnings with an 18.1% burden, proving that the highest-earning program can also offer better value.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Shepherd UniversityPublic | $45,931 | 22 | $21,600 | Manageable | $21,546 | High |
| #2 | West Virginia UniversityPublic | $45,128 | 57 | $22,500 | Manageable | $32,980 | High |
| #3 | Marshall UniversityPublic | $40,200 | 43 | $23,250 | Challenging | $13,944 | High |
| #4 | West Liberty UniversityPublic | $37,551 | 12 | $23,250 | Challenging | $16,248 | High |
| #5 | $36,320 | 31 | $23,338 | Challenging | $13,810 | High | |
| #6 | Concord UniversityPublic | $35,233 | 24 | $18,900 | Challenging | $11,844 | High |
| #7 | Bethany CollegePrivate | $28,598 | 9 | $27,000 | High | $31,190 | 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 →
