Best master’s of social work programs

Three years after completing their degree, master's in social work graduates earn a weighted average salary of $48,475.  Our MSW rankings cover 247 out of the 286 programs available, accounting for 94.4% of total conferrals. We are unable to include schools for which there are insufficient earnings and/or debt data.  

For more information on how we determine the best MSW programs, please visit our methodology page.  

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283 Results (Showing 20 of 283)

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Earnings
EarningsPlus
Debt
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Ranking methodology
#1 in Social Work
Economic score: 0.24

The economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Earnings: $54,149

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: + $2,816

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.

Debt: $13,860

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

Debt to earnings: 0.26

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

#2 in Social Work
Economic score: 0.26

The economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Earnings: $66,792

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: + $6,575

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.

Debt: $18,917

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

Debt to earnings: 0.28

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

#3 in Social Work
Economic score: 0.28

The economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Earnings: $55,208

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: + $5,324

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.

Debt: $17,000

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

Debt to earnings: 0.31

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

#4 in Social Work
Economic score: 0.28

The economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Earnings: $65,124

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: + $4,997

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.

Debt: $20,032

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

Debt to earnings: 0.31

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

#5 in Social Work

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California

Economic score: 0.33

The economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Earnings: $67,466

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: + $7,333

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.

Debt: $25,210

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

Debt to earnings: 0.37

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

#6 in Social Work
Economic score: 0.34

The economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

View school
Earnings: $53,721

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: + $7,355

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.

Debt: $21,000

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

Debt to earnings: 0.39

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

#7 in Social Work
Economic score: 0.34

The economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Earnings: $61,167

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: + $920

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.

Debt: $21,394

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

Debt to earnings: 0.35

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

#8 in Social Work

San Jose State University

San Jose, California

Economic score: 0.35

The economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Earnings: $79,448

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: + $19,358

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.

Debt: $36,726

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

Debt to earnings: 0.46

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

#9 in Social Work | #85 in Humanities & Social Sciences
Economic score: 0.37

The economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Earnings: $67,133

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: + $6,837

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.

Debt: $27,528

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

Debt to earnings: 0.41

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

#10 in Social Work
Economic score: 0.38

The economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Earnings: $51,437

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: + $994

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.

Debt: $19,712

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

Debt to earnings: 0.38

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

#11 in Social Work
Economic score: 0.39

The economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

View school
Earnings: $50,724

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: + $951

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.

Debt: $19,902

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

Debt to earnings: 0.39

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

#12 in Social Work

Stockton University

Galloway, New Jersey

Economic score: 0.40

The economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

View school
Earnings: $51,902

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: - $211

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.

Debt: $20,500

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

Debt to earnings: 0.39

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

#13 in Social Work
Economic score: 0.41

The economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

View school
Earnings: $55,794

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: + $2,691

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.

Debt: $23,802

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

Debt to earnings: 0.43

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

#14 in Social Work

College of Staten Island CUNY

Staten Island, New York

Economic score: 0.41

The economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Earnings: $57,179

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: + $2,521

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.

Debt: $24,500

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

Debt to earnings: 0.43

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

#15 in Social Work | #5 in Humanities & Social Sciences
Economic score: 0.41

The economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

View school
Earnings: $65,111

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: + $4,950

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.

Debt: $28,902

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

Debt to earnings: 0.44

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

#16 in Social Work | #52 in Humanities & Social Sciences
Economic score: 0.41

The economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Earnings: $49,929

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: + $29

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.

Debt: $20,726

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

Debt to earnings: 0.42

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

#17 in Social Work
Economic score: 0.42

The economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Earnings: $53,117

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: + $181

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.

Debt: $22,500

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

Debt to earnings: 0.42

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

#18 in Social Work

Arkansas State University

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Economic score: 0.42

The economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Earnings: $49,887

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: + $124

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.

Debt: $21,184

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

Debt to earnings: 0.42

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

#19 in Social Work
Economic score: 0.42

The economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

View school
Earnings: $59,569

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: + $2,394

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.

Debt: $26,329

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

Debt to earnings: 0.44

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

#20 in Social Work

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Economic score: 0.43

The economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Earnings: $49,486

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: + $4,253

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.

Debt: $23,066

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

Debt to earnings: 0.47

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

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How long does it take to pay down debt in social work?

Years

Under a year

The average debt accrued from a master's degree in social work is covered by average graduate earnings in under a year.

How much do graduates with master's degree in social work earn?

Salary

$51,335

The median master's degree in social work graduate earns $51,335 3 years after graduating.

How much does a master's degree in social work cost?

Net cost

$20,405

The average annual cost of a master's degree in social work is $20,405. This is the net cost and considers only students that have received Title IV funds.