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Social Work: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Program Overview

Social Work is a dynamic and impactful discipline dedicated to enhancing the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through evidence-based practice, advocacy, and systemic change. This program equips learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to address social inequities and deliver essential support services to vulnerable populations across diverse settings.

  • Social Welfare Policy: Explores the development, implementation, and evaluation of laws and programs designed to promote social justice and ensure access to critical resources for marginalized groups.
  • Case Work Planning: Focuses on developing individualized service plans that assess client needs, set measurable goals, and coordinate interventions to improve life outcomes.
  • Social Counseling and Intervention Strategies: Teaches techniques for building therapeutic relationships, assessing mental health concerns, and applying ethical, culturally responsive approaches to support personal and familial resilience.
  • Administrative Procedures and Regulations: Covers the legal, ethical, and operational frameworks governing social service agencies, including compliance, documentation, and program management.
  • Child Welfare and Family Services: Addresses the protection, support, and advocacy for children and families facing abuse, neglect, or socioeconomic hardship, emphasizing prevention and family preservation.
  • Probation and Community Corrections: Prepares professionals to work within justice systems by supporting individuals reintegrating into society through supervision, rehabilitation, and access to community resources.
  • Employment Services: Focuses on helping individuals overcome barriers to work, including job readiness training, career counseling, and connecting clients with workforce development programs.
  • Disability Counseling: Involves supporting individuals with physical, developmental, or cognitive disabilities in accessing accommodations, healthcare, education, and independent living opportunities.

Social Work Graduate Trends (2010-2024)

57,279
Total Graduates (2023-2024)
781
Universities & Colleges
9
Career Pathways

Social Work Career Pathways & Salary Outlook

The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Social Work degrees, including Social and Community Service Managers, Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary and Social Workers, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 1,154,620 professionals.


National Average Salaries

Occupation Median Salary Salary Range Total Employment Hourly Rate
Social and Community Service Managers 11-9151 $78,240 $50,020 - $129,820 195,490 $37.61
Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1113 $76,210 $45,370 - $129,280 13,350 N/A
Social Workers, All Other 21-1029 $69,480 $44,530 - $112,740 64,940 $33.40
Healthcare Social Workers 21-1022 $68,090 $45,030 - $100,870 185,940 $32.74
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists 21-1092 $64,520 $45,390 - $106,290 86,820 $31.02
Marriage and Family Therapists 21-1013 $63,780 $42,610 - $111,610 65,870 $30.66
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers 21-1023 $60,060 $39,620 - $104,130 125,910 $28.88
Child, Family, and School Social Workers 21-1021 $58,570 $40,580 - $94,030 382,960 $28.16
Counselors, All Other 21-1019 $49,830 $36,160 - $91,420 33,340 $23.96

Salary Comparison

Social Work Salary Map by State

Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $48,722 in Montana to $89,877 in Hawaii—a 84% difference. The highest-paying states include Hawaii, District of Columbia, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,154,620 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.

Average Salary Range:

Top Universities for Social Work by Graduate Enrollment

Below are the top 99 institutions offering Social Work programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Social Work is found at Walden University (1,611 graduates), University of Kentucky (UK) (1,196 graduates), The University of Texas, Arlington (915 graduates), Rutgers University, New Brunswick (775 graduates), and Aurora University (749 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 32,146 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.

College Name Award Levels Graduates Admissions Location Control Website
Walden University
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
1,611 N/A Minneapolis, Minnesota Private waldenu.edu
University of Kentucky (UK)
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Doctorate (P)
1,196 SAT: 1080-1290
ACT: 21-28
Lexington, Kentucky Public uky.edu
The University of Texas
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Other Award
915 SAT: 990-1230
ACT: 18-26
Arlington, Texas Public uta.edu
Rutgers University
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
775 SAT: 1270-1480
ACT: 28-33
New Brunswick, New Jersey Public newbrunswick.rutgers.edu
Aurora University
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
749 SAT: 930-1133
ACT: 20-26
Aurora, Illinois Private aurora.edu
Fordham University
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
729 SAT: 1330-1490
ACT: 30-33
Bronx, New York Private fordham.edu
Simmons University
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Doctorate (P)
632 SAT: 1230-1390
ACT: 26-31
Boston, Massachusetts Private simmons.edu
CUNY Hunter College
Bachelor's
Master's
630 SAT: 1210-1470 New York, New York Public hunter.cuny.edu
University of Southern California (USC)
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
Doctorate (O)
602 SAT: 1440-1550
ACT: 32-35
Los Angeles, California Private usc.edu
University of Denver (DU)
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
590 SAT: 1240-1410
ACT: 29-32
Denver, Colorado Private du.edu
Indiana University (IU Indianapolis)
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Other Award
588 SAT: 1040-1230
ACT: 21-28
Indianapolis, Indiana Public indianapolis.iu.edu
Columbia University in the City of New York
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
562 SAT: 1490-1570
ACT: 34-35
New York, New York Private columbia.edu
Loyola University Chicago (LUC)
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
523 SAT: 1160-1340
ACT: 27-31
Chicago, Illinois Private luc.edu
Ohio State University
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
502 SAT: 1330-1480
ACT: 29-32
Columbus, Ohio Public osu.edu
New York University (NYU)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Doctorate (P)
501 SAT: 1480-1570
ACT: 33-35
New York, New York Private nyu.edu
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
455 SAT: 1030-1270
ACT: 22-30
Richmond, Virginia Public vcu.edu
Grand Canyon University (GCU)
Bachelor's
Master's
452 SAT: 1058-1175
ACT: 19-24
Phoenix, Arizona Private gcu.edu
University of Michigan (U‑M)
Master's
417 SAT: 1350-1530
ACT: 31-34
Ann Arbor, Michigan Public umich.edu
Yeshiva University (YU)
Master's
Doctorate (R)
394 SAT: 1320-1500
ACT: 28-33
New York, New York Private yu.edu
University of Massachusetts Global (UMass Global)
Bachelor's
Master's
384 N/A Irvine, California Public umassglobal.edu
California State University
Bachelor's
Master's
377 N/A Los Angeles, California Public calstatela.edu
Arizona State University
Master's
373 N/A Scottsdale, Arizona Public asu.edu
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
372 SAT: 1150-1330
ACT: 24-29
Baton Rouge, Louisiana Public lsu.edu
Portland State University (PSU)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
366 N/A Portland, Oregon Public pdx.edu
University of Pittsburgh
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
358 SAT: 1270-1450
ACT: 29-33
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Public pitt.edu
Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
351 N/A Tempe, Arizona Public asu.edu
Indiana Wesleyan University
Bachelor's
Master's
350 N/A Marion, Indiana Private indwes.edu
Boston University (BU)
Master's
Doctorate (R)
347 SAT: 1400-1520
ACT: 32-34
Boston, Massachusetts Private bu.edu
Wayne State University (WSU)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
340 SAT: 1040-1260
ACT: 21-28
Detroit, Michigan Public wayne.edu
University of Central Florida (UCF)
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
337 SAT: 1190-1350
ACT: 25-29
Orlando, Florida Public ucf.edu
Boise State University (BBU)
Bachelor's
Master's
336 N/A Boise, Idaho Public boisestate.edu
The University of Tennessee
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
331 SAT: 1190-1340
ACT: 25-31
Knoxville, Tennessee Public utk.edu
University of Utah (U of U)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
328 SAT: 1180-1398
ACT: 22-29
Salt Lake City, Utah Public utah.edu
University of Maryland (UMB)
Master's
Doctorate (R)
326 N/A Baltimore, Maryland Public umaryland.edu
University of Oklahoma (OU)
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
322 SAT: 1140-1330
ACT: 23-29
Norman, Oklahoma Public ou.edu
Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver)
Bachelor's
Master's
312 SAT: 880-1110
ACT: 17-23
Denver, Colorado Public msudenver.edu
University of Nevada (UNR)
Bachelor's
Master's
293 N/A Reno, Nevada Public unr.edu
California State University (CSULB)
Bachelor's
Master's
284 N/A Long Beach, California Public csulb.edu
Boston College (BC)
Master's
Doctorate (R)
278 SAT: 1430-1540
ACT: 33-34
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts Private bc.edu
Western New Mexico University (WNMU)
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
275 N/A Silver City, New Mexico Public wnmu.edu
Stony Brook University (SBU)
Bachelor's
Master's
274 SAT: 1320-1490
ACT: 28-33
Stony Brook, New York Public stonybrook.edu
University of Houston (UH)
Master's
Doctorate (R)
272 SAT: 1150-1330
ACT: 23-28
Houston, Texas Public uh.edu
Campbellsville University (CU)
Bachelor's
Master's
267 N/A Campbellsville, Kentucky Private campbellsville.edu
University of Kansas (KU)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Other Award
265 SAT: 1050-1290
ACT: 21-27
Lawrence, Kansas Public ku.edu
Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest)
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
265 SAT: 940-1170
ACT: 20-26
California, Pennsylvania Public pennwest.edu
Salisbury University (SU)
Bachelor's
Master's
259 SAT: 1180-1310
ACT: 26-28
Salisbury, Maryland Public salisbury.edu
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
258 SAT: 1270-1510
ACT: 29-34
Champaign, Illinois Public illinois.edu
Adelphi University
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
258 SAT: 1140-1310
ACT: 24-30
Garden City, New York Private adelphi.edu
The University of Texas
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
255 SAT: 1230-1490
ACT: 27-33
Austin, Texas Public utexas.edu
California State University
Bachelor's
Master's
254 N/A Sacramento, California Public csus.edu
Utah State University (USU)
Bachelor's
Master's
248 SAT: 1060-1300
ACT: 20-28
Logan, Utah Public usu.edu
University of Illinois Chicago (UIC)
Master's
Doctorate (R)
245 SAT: 1120-1340
ACT: 25-32
Chicago, Illinois Public uic.edu
Liberty University
Bachelor's
Master's
244 N/A Lynchburg, Virginia Private liberty.edu
San Jose State University (SJSU)
Bachelor's
Master's
243 N/A San Jose, California Public sjsu.edu
Temple University
Bachelor's
Master's
243 N/A Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Public temple.edu
The University of Alabama (UA)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Doctorate (P)
238 SAT: 1170-1400
ACT: 24-31
Tuscaloosa, Alabama Public ua.edu
University of Georgia (UGA)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
237 SAT: 1160-1390
ACT: 25-32
Athens, Georgia Public uga.edu
University at Buffalo (UB)
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Doctorate (P)
237 SAT: 1210-1380
ACT: 27-32
Buffalo, New York Public buffalo.edu
University of South Florida (USF)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
230 SAT: 1140-1330
ACT: 24-29
Tampa, Florida Public usf.edu
University of Louisville (UofL)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Doctorate (P)
223 SAT: 1020-1250
ACT: 19-27
Louisville, Kentucky Public louisville.edu
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Bachelor's
Master's
223 SAT: 1110-1320
ACT: 21-27
Charlotte, North Carolina Public charlotte.edu
Grand Valley State University (GVSU)
Bachelor's
Master's
217 SAT: 940-1190
ACT: 21-28
Allendale, Michigan Public gvsu.edu
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV)
Bachelor's
Master's
216 SAT: 910-1110
ACT: 16-22
Edinburg, Texas Public utrgv.edu
Troy University (TROY)
Bachelor's
Master's
214 SAT: 950-1160
ACT: 18-25
Troy, Alabama Public troy.edu
California Baptist University (CBU)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
212 N/A Riverside, California Private calbaptist.edu
CUNY Lehman College
Bachelor's
Master's
212 SAT: 860-1220 Bronx, New York Public lehman.edu
Widener University
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
207 SAT: 1050-1260 Chester, Pennsylvania Private widener.edu
Northern Arizona University (NAU)
Bachelor's
Master's
204 N/A Flagstaff, Arizona Public nau.edu
Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU)
Bachelor's
Master's
204 N/A San Antonio, Texas Private ollusa.edu
Florida Atlantic University (FAU)
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
196 SAT: 1040-1210
ACT: 20-26
Boca Raton, Florida Public fau.edu
University of Pennsylvania (Penn)
Master's
Doctorate (R)
192 SAT: 1500-1570
ACT: 34-35
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Private upenn.edu
University of South Carolina (USC)
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
186 SAT: 1180-1380
ACT: 26-32
Columbia, South Carolina Public sc.edu
Tulane University of Louisiana
Master's
Doctorate (R)
185 SAT: 1390-1510
ACT: 31-33
New Orleans, Louisiana Private tulane.edu
George Mason University
Bachelor's
Master's
183 SAT: 1140-1340
ACT: 25-30
Fairfax, Virginia Public www2.gmu.edu
Baylor University
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
182 SAT: 1210-1400
ACT: 27-32
Waco, Texas Private baylor.edu
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM)
Bachelor's
Master's
181 ACT: 18-24 Milwaukee, Wisconsin Public uwm.edu
Texas State University (TXST)
Bachelor's
Master's
180 SAT: 980-1190
ACT: 19-26
San Marcos, Texas Public txst.edu
University of Chicago (UChicago)
Master's
Doctorate (R)
177 SAT: 1510-1570
ACT: 34-35
Chicago, Illinois Private uchicago.edu
West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU)
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
177 SAT: 1100-1270
ACT: 24-28
West Chester, Pennsylvania Public wcupa.edu
Bridgewater State University (BSU)
Bachelor's
Master's
176 SAT: 1040-1230
ACT: 18-27
Bridgewater, Massachusetts Public bridgew.edu
Washington University in St Louis (WashU)
Master's
Doctorate (R)
175 SAT: 1500-1570
ACT: 33-35
Saint Louis, Missouri Private wustl.edu
California State University
Bachelor's
Master's
174 N/A Chico, California Public csuchico.edu
California State University (CSUSB)
Bachelor's
Master's
173 N/A San Bernardino, California Public csusb.edu
University of Cincinnati (UC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
Master's
172 SAT: 1150-1360
ACT: 24-29
Cincinnati, Ohio Public uc.edu
Connecticut State Community College (CT State)
Associate's
Other Award
167 N/A Hartford, Connecticut Public ctstate.edu
Cleveland State University (CSU)
Bachelor's
Master's
167 ACT: 17-25 Cleveland, Ohio Public csuohio.edu
Eastern Washington University (EWU)
Bachelor's
Master's
166 N/A Cheney, Washington Public ewu.edu
Appalachian State University (App State)
Bachelor's
Master's
163 SAT: 1100-1280
ACT: 21-27
Boone, North Carolina Public appstate.edu
University of Connecticut (UConn)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
161 SAT: 1210-1420
ACT: 29-33
Storrs, Connecticut Public uconn.edu
Rhode Island College (RIC)
Bachelor's
Master's
160 SAT: 860-1160 Providence, Rhode Island Public ric.edu
Eastern Michigan University (EMU)
Bachelor's
Master's
159 SAT: 910-1170
ACT: 18-26
Ypsilanti, Michigan Public emich.edu
Case Western Reserve University (CWRU)
Master's
Doctorate (R)
159 SAT: 1430-1540
ACT: 32-35
Cleveland, Ohio Private case.edu
San Diego State University (SDSU)
Bachelor's
Master's
158 N/A San Diego, California Public sdsu.edu
Salem State University (SSU)
Bachelor's
Master's
157 SAT: 990-1160 Salem, Massachusetts Public salemstate.edu
Keuka College
Bachelor's
Master's
157 SAT: 1008-1183 Keuka Park, New York Private keuka.edu
University of California (UCB)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
156 N/A Berkeley, California Public berkeley.edu
North Carolina State University (NC State)
Bachelor's
Master's
154 SAT: 1300-1460
ACT: 28-32
Raleigh, North Carolina Public ncsu.edu
Spring Arbor University (SAU)
Bachelor's
Master's
152 SAT: 935-1165
ACT: 17-25
Spring Arbor, Michigan Private arbor.edu
University of Nevada (UNLV)
Bachelor's
Master's
152 SAT: 980-1230
ACT: 18-24
Las Vegas, Nevada Public unlv.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Social Work programs

How much can I earn with a Social Work degree?

Salaries for Social Work graduates vary by role and location. Social and Community Service Managers earn a median of $78,240 annually, while Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $76,210. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Hawaii average $89,877 compared to $48,722 in Montana. Approximately 1,154,620 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.

Which universities have the largest Social Work programs?

Currently 781 accredited institutions offer Social Work degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Walden University (1,611 graduates), University of Kentucky (UK) (1,196 graduates), and The University of Texas, Arlington (915 graduates).

Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.

Is enrollment in Social Work growing or declining?

Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 37,500 in 2010 to 57,279 in 2023-24. This represents a 53% increase overall from 2010.

The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.

Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.

What career paths are available with a Social Work degree?

This degree prepares you for roles such as Social and Community Service Managers, Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary, and Social Workers, All Other. Related occupations employ approximately 1,154,620 professionals nationwide.

Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.

Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.

Related Public Services Programs

Explore similar degree programs within the Public Services field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.

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