Social Work Degree in Glendale, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Social Work degree analysis for Glendale, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$81K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$89K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.1 yrs
in Glendale
Cost of Living
162.4
index (100 = avg)
Social Work in Glendale, CA Overview
Glendale, California (pop. 196,543) has 8 colleges offering Social Work programs. The local cost of living index of 162.4 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $2,670/month. Social Work has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Case Management and Counseling skills. The adjusted starting salary in Glendale is approximately $81,200.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
8
Public Tuition
$14,500/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$16,677/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,738/yr
Unemployment
4.8%
Graduation Rate
54%
Social Work Salary in Glendale (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Glendale's cost of living index of 162.4 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Social Work salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Glendale adjustment factor: 1.62x based on the local cost of living index.
Social Work ROI Calculator for Glendale
Estimate your return on investment for a Social Work degree using local Glendale tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,500 | Private avg: $42,000
Glendale avg aid: $11,738/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$124,708
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$24,360
vs HS diploma in Glendale
ROI Payback Period
5.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Glendale
$330,012
Lifetime earnings premium ($454,720) minus total education cost ($124,708)
Student Loan Payoff for Social Work in Glendale
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Glendale for Social Work
Glendale State University
public
$14,651/yr
$58,604 total
University of Glendale
public
$14,900/yr
$59,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Glendale Community College
$6,504/yr
Top Employers for Social Work in Glendale
Glendale offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Social Work graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Glendale Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Social Work Job Titles
Social Work in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$71K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$70K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$65K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$57K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$59K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$56K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$58K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$66K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Glendale
International Relations
$81K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$78K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$81K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$81K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$81K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$81K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$71K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$81K starting · 5 yr ROI
Social Work Degree in Glendale — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Social Work ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Glendale.