Social Work Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Professional practice focused on helping individuals and communities overcome challenges.
Starting Salary
$50K
median
Mid-Career
$55K
salary
ROI Payback
5 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
2.5%
rate
Social Work Overview
Professional practice focused on helping individuals and communities overcome challenges.
Category
Social Sciences
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
65%
Enrollment Trend
growing
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
15%
Lifetime Premium
$280K
Female Graduates
82%
Social Work Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$15,300
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$15,300
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$264,700
Lifetime earnings premium ($280,000) minus net degree cost ($15,300)
Social Work Salary Progression
Common Social Work Careers
Social Worker
Case Manager
School Social Worker
Clinical Social Worker
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Social Work
#1
University of Michigan
#2
Columbia
#3
Washington University
#4
University of Chicago
#5
Boston College
Related Majors
Social Work Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Social Work Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for social work programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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