Compare 449 Social Work. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $50,170. Top programs: $70,356+.
With top graduates earning $65,182, Social Work stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $22K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Topping the list, Molloy College's program delivers $65,182 in median earnings, followed by New York University at $64,289 and University of Nevada-Reno at $63,320. The average across all 427 programs is $42,836, yet these outcomes show program-specific factors drive results more than overall school reputation.
For families, the math changes dramatically. Cuny York College offers a 4.2% student payment burden with 'Excellent' affordability, but when parent loans are included, Cuny Medgar Evers College leads with an 8.7% family burden—proof that the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Providence CollegePrivate | $70,356 | 17 | $27,000 | Excellent | $46,300 | Challenging |
| #2 | Cuny Hunter CollegePublic | $70,273 | 43 | $11,000 | Excellent | $20,252 | Good |
| #3 | La Sierra UniversityPrivate | $69,244 | 16 | $27,000 | Excellent | $24,058 | Manageable |
| #4 | $69,201 | 43 | $14,715 | Excellent | $12,000 | Good | |
| #5 | $68,524 | 28 | $15,371 | Excellent | $19,732 | Good | |
| #6 | $68,448 | 72 | $14,289 | Excellent | $15,177 | Good | |
| #7 | Pacific Lutheran UniversityPrivate | $67,458 | 8 | $22,578 | Excellent | $25,000 | Manageable |
| #8 | $67,393 | 88 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Manageable | |
| #9 | Iona UniversityPrivate | $66,417 | 17 | $25,999 | Good | $43,691 | Challenging |
| #10 | Fordham UniversityPrivate | $66,349 | 16 | $24,300 | Excellent | $37,095 | Challenging |
| #11 | Adelphi UniversityPrivate | $66,162 | 43 | $25,000 | Excellent | $48,005 | High |
| #12 | $65,986 | 12 | $24,872 | Excellent | $13,279 | Manageable | |
| #13 | Texas Christian UniversityPrivate | $65,536 | 28 | $21,500 | Excellent | $54,925 | High |
| #14 | $65,185 | 13 | $26,000 | Good | $50,215 | High | |
| #15 | $64,672 | 6 | $25,000 | Good | $23,900 | Manageable | |
| #16 | Seton Hall UniversityPrivate | $63,559 | 17 | $22,750 | Excellent | $40,003 | Challenging |
| #17 | $63,456 | 103 | $20,500 | Excellent | $18,859 | Manageable | |
| #18 | Simmons UniversityPrivate | $62,992 | 19 | $24,840 | Good | $23,772 | Manageable |
| #19 | Cuny Lehman CollegePublic | $62,955 | 133 | $10,950 | Excellent | $11,955 | Good |
| #20 | Centenary UniversityPrivate | $62,373 | 12 | $23,163 | Excellent | $22,725 | Manageable |
| #21 | St Catherine UniversityPrivate | $62,227 | 32 | $24,181 | Good | $21,883 | Manageable |
| #22 | George Fox UniversityPrivate | $62,201 | 21 | $24,250 | Good | $33,547 | Challenging |
| #23 | Fresno Pacific UniversityPrivate | $61,951 | 81 | $23,146 | Good | $10,725 | Manageable |
| #24 | $61,908 | 39 | $24,250 | Good | $21,628 | Manageable | |
| #25 | Creighton UniversityPrivate | $61,829 | 17 | $25,000 | Good | $31,504 | Challenging |
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 →
