Compare 13 Social Work. programs in Wisconsin. Average earnings: $46,681.
Social Work programs produce graduates earning between $37,952 and $53,886—a $16K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 13 ranked programs in Wisconsin, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
Carthage College's Social Work program leads with graduates earning $53,886, well above the state average of $46,681. University of Wisconsin-River Falls follows at $50,045, showing how both private and public institutions can deliver strong outcomes when programs are evaluated individually rather than by overall school reputation.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates borrow $20,500 and face just a 10.2% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41, graduates can manage payments comfortably on their post-grad income.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Carthage CollegePrivate | $53,886 | 9 | $26,000 | Good | $42,940 | High |
| #2 | $50,045 | 21 | $20,500 | Good | $14,500 | Challenging | |
| #3 | Viterbo UniversityPrivate | $49,400 | 20 | $25,000 | Manageable | $21,560 | High |
| #4 | Marquette UniversityPrivate | $49,043 | 27 | $23,940 | Manageable | $45,500 | High |
| #5 | Marian UniversityPrivate | $48,807 | 16 | $25,000 | Manageable | $22,596 | High |
| #6 | $47,420 | 35 | $21,500 | Good | $13,500 | Challenging | |
| #7 | $46,900 | 71 | $20,484 | Good | $28,364 | High | |
| #8 | $46,425 | 72 | $20,909 | Manageable | $12,452 | Challenging | |
| #9 | $45,626 | 61 | $21,503 | Manageable | $14,012 | Challenging | |
| #10 | $44,016 | 94 | $23,000 | Manageable | $16,149 | High | |
| #11 | $43,930 | 31 | $18,500 | Good | $13,480 | Challenging | |
| #12 | $43,399 | 38 | $22,500 | Manageable | $12,006 | Challenging | |
| #13 | $37,952 | 69 | $23,188 | Challenging | $18,635 | 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 →
