Best master’s of social work programs in Illinois

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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  • Humanities & Social Sciences
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Earnings
EarningsPlus
Debt
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Ranking methodology
#1 in Illinois | #30 in Social Work nationally
Economic score: 0.47

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: $43,318

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: - $5,841

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: $18,107

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.

#2 in Illinois | #61 in Social Work nationally

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois

Economic score: 0.62

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: $48,854

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: + $156

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: $30,621

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

Debt to earnings: 0.63

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 Illinois | #73 in Social Work nationally
Economic score: 0.66

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: $38,020

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: - $10,751

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: $19,500

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

Debt to earnings: 0.51

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 Illinois | #92 in Social Work nationally
Economic score: 0.71

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: $44,746

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: - $3,683

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: $29,363

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

Debt to earnings: 0.66

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 Illinois | #93 in Social Work nationally
Economic score: 0.72

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: $44,322

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: - $4,969

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: $28,500

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

Debt to earnings: 0.64

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 Illinois | #97 in Social Work nationally
Economic score: 0.72

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: $49,589

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: + $753

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: $36,118

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

Debt to earnings: 0.73

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 Illinois | #111 in Social Work nationally
Economic score: 0.75

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: $48,397

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: - $549

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: $35,840

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

Debt to earnings: 0.74

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 Illinois | #148 in Social Work nationally
Economic score: 0.87

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: $48,263

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: - $1,109

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: $41,155

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

Debt to earnings: 0.85

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 Illinois | #161 in Social Work nationally

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

Economic score: 0.92

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: $46,699

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: - $1,810

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: $41,554

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

Debt to earnings: 0.89

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 Illinois | #173 in Social Work nationally

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

Economic score: 0.99

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: $44,971

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: - $3,849

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: $41,000

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

Debt to earnings: 0.91

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 Illinois | #210 in Social Work nationally

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois

Economic score: 1.18

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: $50,599

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: + $1,375

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: $61,500

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

Debt to earnings: 1.22

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 Illinois | #224 in Social Work nationally

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Economic score: 1.29

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: $49,569

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: - $310

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: $63,626

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

Debt to earnings: 1.28

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.

#13 in Illinois | #226 in Social Work nationally

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

Economic score: 1.31

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: $50,906

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: + $1,337

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: $68,666

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

Debt to earnings: 1.35

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.

#14 in Illinois | #228 in Social Work nationally

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Economic score: 1.34

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: $53,691

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.

EarningsPlus: + $2,656

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: $75,579

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

Debt to earnings: 1.41

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.

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

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 in Illinois?

Salary

$48,708

The median master's degree in social work graduate earns $48,708 3 years after graduating.

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

Net cost

$20,219

The average annual cost of a master's degree in social work is $20,219. This is the net cost and considers only students that have received Title IV funds.