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)
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 |
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 | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walden University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
1,611 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | waldenu.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Professional)
|
1,196 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Other Award
|
915 | Arlington, Texas | Public | uta.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
775 | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| Aurora University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
749 | Aurora, Illinois | Private | aurora.edu |
| Fordham University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
729 | Bronx, New York | Private | fordham.edu |
| Simmons University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Professional)
|
632 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | simmons.edu |
| CUNY Hunter College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
630 | New York, New York | Public | hunter.cuny.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Other)
|
602 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| University of Denver (DU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
590 | Denver, Colorado | Private | du.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Other Award
|
588 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| Columbia University in the City of New York |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
562 | New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
| Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
523 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
502 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Professional)
|
501 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
455 | Richmond, Virginia | Public | vcu.edu |
| Grand Canyon University (GCU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
452 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | gcu.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Master's
|
417 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| Yeshiva University (YU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
394 | New York, New York | Private | yu.edu |
| University of Massachusetts Global (UMass Global) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
384 | Irvine, California | Public | umassglobal.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
377 | Los Angeles, California | Public | calstatela.edu |
| Arizona State University |
Master's
|
373 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
372 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Public | lsu.edu |
| Portland State University (PSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
366 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pdx.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
358 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
351 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Indiana Wesleyan University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
350 | Marion, Indiana | Private | indwes.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
347 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| Wayne State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
340 | Detroit, Michigan | Public | wayne.edu |
| University of Central Florida (UCF) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
337 | Orlando, Florida | Public | ucf.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
336 | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
331 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | utk.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
328 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMB) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
326 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | umaryland.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
322 | Norman, Oklahoma | Public | ou.edu |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
312 | Denver, Colorado | Public | msudenver.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNR) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
293 | Reno, Nevada | Public | unr.edu |
| California State University (CSULB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
284 | Long Beach, California | Public | csulb.edu |
| Boston College (BC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
278 | Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts | Private | bc.edu |
| Western New Mexico University (WNMU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
275 | Silver City, New Mexico | Public | wnmu.edu |
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
274 | Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| University of Houston (UH) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
272 | Houston, Texas | Public | uh.edu |
| Campbellsville University (CU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
267 | Campbellsville, Kentucky | Private | campbellsville.edu |
| University of Kansas (KU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Other Award
|
265 | Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
| Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
265 | California, Pennsylvania | Public | pennwest.edu |
| Salisbury University (SU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
259 | Salisbury, Maryland | Public | salisbury.edu |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
258 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
| Adelphi University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
258 | Garden City, New York | Private | adelphi.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
255 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
254 | Sacramento, California | Public | csus.edu |
| Utah State University (USU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
248 | Logan, Utah | Public | usu.edu |
| University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
245 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | uic.edu |
| Liberty University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
244 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| San Jose State University (SJSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
243 | San Jose, California | Public | sjsu.edu |
| Temple University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
243 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| The University of Alabama (UA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Professional)
|
238 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Public | ua.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
237 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Professional)
|
237 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| University of South Florida (USF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
230 | Tampa, Florida | Public | usf.edu |
| University of Louisville (UofL) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Professional)
|
223 | Louisville, Kentucky | Public | louisville.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
223 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Public | charlotte.edu |
| Grand Valley State University (GVSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
217 | Allendale, Michigan | Public | gvsu.edu |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
216 | Edinburg, Texas | Public | utrgv.edu |
| Troy University (TROY) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
214 | Troy, Alabama | Public | troy.edu |
| California Baptist University (CBU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
212 | Riverside, California | Private | calbaptist.edu |
| CUNY Lehman College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
212 | Bronx, New York | Public | lehman.edu |
| Widener University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
207 | Chester, Pennsylvania | Private | widener.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
204 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
204 | San Antonio, Texas | Private | ollusa.edu |
| Florida Atlantic University (FAU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
196 | Boca Raton, Florida | Public | fau.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
192 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
186 | Columbia, South Carolina | Public | sc.edu |
| Tulane University of Louisiana |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
185 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | tulane.edu |
| George Mason University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
183 | Fairfax, Virginia | Public | www2.gmu.edu |
| Baylor University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
182 | Waco, Texas | Private | baylor.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
181 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | uwm.edu |
| Texas State University (TXST) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
180 | San Marcos, Texas | Public | txst.edu |
| University of Chicago (UChicago) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
177 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | uchicago.edu |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
177 | West Chester, Pennsylvania | Public | wcupa.edu |
| Bridgewater State University (BSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
176 | Bridgewater, Massachusetts | Public | bridgew.edu |
| Washington University in St Louis (WashU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
175 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | wustl.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
174 | Chico, California | Public | csuchico.edu |
| California State University (CSUSB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
173 | San Bernardino, California | Public | csusb.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
Master's
|
172 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Connecticut State Community College (CT State) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
167 | Hartford, Connecticut | Public | ctstate.edu |
| Cleveland State University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
167 | Cleveland, Ohio | Public | csuohio.edu |
| Eastern Washington University (EWU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
166 | Cheney, Washington | Public | ewu.edu |
| Appalachian State University (App State) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
163 | Boone, North Carolina | Public | appstate.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
161 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| Rhode Island College (RIC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
160 | Providence, Rhode Island | Public | ric.edu |
| Eastern Michigan University (EMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
159 | Ypsilanti, Michigan | Public | emich.edu |
| Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
159 | Cleveland, Ohio | Private | case.edu |
| San Diego State University (SDSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
158 | San Diego, California | Public | sdsu.edu |
| Salem State University (SSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
157 | Salem, Massachusetts | Public | salemstate.edu |
| Keuka College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
157 | Keuka Park, New York | Private | keuka.edu |
| University of California (UCB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
156 | Berkeley, California | Public | berkeley.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
154 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| Spring Arbor University (SAU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
152 | Spring Arbor, Michigan | Private | arbor.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNLV) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
152 | 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.
Public Administration
A program that prepares individuals to serve as managers in the executive arm of local, state, and federal government and that focuses on...
Public Works Management
A program of study that focuses on public works management skills and public works operation. Includes instruction in accountability, budget, conflict resolution strategies,...
Transportation and Infrastructure Planning
A program that focuses on the economic, social, spatial, and environmental aspects of transportation and infrastructure planning. Includes instruction in economics, environmental analysis,...
Public Administration
Any program in public administration not listed above.
Public Policy Analysis
A program that focuses on the systematic analysis of public policy issues and decision processes. Includes instruction in the role of economic and...
Education Policy Analysis
A program that focuses on the systematic analysis of public policy issues related to education and educational systems at the local, state, national,...