Social Work: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Social Work is a dynamic, practice-based discipline dedicated to enhancing the well-being of individuals, families, groups, and communities through advocacy, intervention, and systemic change. This field equips students with the knowledge and ethical foundation to address complex social challenges and promote equity, justice, and human dignity across diverse populations.
- Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Explores how biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors shape individual and group behavior across the lifespan.
- Policy and Advocacy: Focuses on the development, analysis, and implementation of social policies that address inequality and advance public welfare.
- Direct Practice and Clinical Interventions: Develops skills in assessing needs, designing treatment plans, and delivering evidence-based support to clients in various settings.
- Group Work and Community Organization: Teaches strategies for facilitating group dynamics and mobilizing communities to achieve collective goals and social change.
- Research and Evaluation: Emphasizes the use of data-driven methods to assess program effectiveness and inform best practices in social work delivery.
- Ethical and Professional Practice: Instills a commitment to the NASW Code of Ethics, cultural competence, and accountability in all professional interactions.
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 968,590 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 |
| 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 |
Social Work Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $52,347 in Montana to $88,907 in Hawaii—a 70% difference. The highest-paying states include Hawaii, District of Columbia, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 968,590 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 29 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 Yeshiva University (YU) (130 graduates), The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (98 graduates), University of Iowa (78 graduates), Marquette University (30 graduates), and Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) (30 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 622 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yeshiva University (YU) |
Post-Master's
|
130 | New York, New York | Private | yu.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Postbac Cert.
|
98 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | utk.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Postbac Cert.
|
78 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| Marquette University |
Bachelor's
|
30 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | marquette.edu |
| Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
30 | Thomasville, Georgia | Public | southernregional.edu |
| Athens Technical College (Athens Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
28 | Athens, Georgia | Public | athenstech.edu |
| Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
24 | Rome, Georgia | Public | gntc.edu |
| Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) |
Other Award
|
23 | Marion, Indiana | Private | indwes.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Post-Master's
|
21 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Master's
|
21 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
| University of Pikeville (UPIKE) |
Master's
|
19 | Pikeville, Kentucky | Private | upike.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Master's
|
18 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| Gallaudet University |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gallaudet.edu |
| California State University (CSUSB) |
Master's
|
14 | San Bernardino, California | Public | csusb.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
12 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Cedar Crest College |
Other Award
|
9 | Allentown, Pennsylvania | Private | cedarcrest.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Master's
|
9 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Private | metro.inter.edu |
| Grambling State University (GSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
8 | Grambling, Louisiana | Public | gram.edu |
| Carlow University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
8 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | carlow.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
6 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| University of Memphis (UofM) |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Memphis, Tennessee | Public | memphis.edu |
| Pima Community College (PCC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | pima.edu |
| Butler County Community College (BC3) |
Associate's
|
3 | Butler, Pennsylvania | Public | bc3.edu |
| Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Post-Master's
|
2 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
| Bristol Community College |
Other Award
|
2 | Fall River, Massachusetts | Public | bristolcc.edu |
| Muskegon Community College (MCC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Muskegon, Michigan | Public | muskegoncc.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Other Award
|
1 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNO) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Omaha, Nebraska | Public | unomaha.edu |
| Millersville University of Pennsylvania |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Millersville, Pennsylvania | Public | millersville.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 $88,907 compared to $52,347 in Montana. Approximately 968,590 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 29 accredited institutions offer Social Work degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Yeshiva University (YU) (130 graduates), The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (98 graduates), and University of Iowa (78 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 337 in 2010 to 622 in 2023-24. This represents a 85% 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 968,590 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,...