Master’s Degrees in Social Work
Education Levels of Social Work Majors
During the most recent year for which data is available, 34,707 people earned their master's degree in social work. This earns it the #3 spot on the list of the most popular master's degree programs in the nation.
The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in social work at each degree level.
| Education Level | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 34,707 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 20,308 |
| Associate Degree | 1,934 |
| Graduate Certificate | 926 |
| Doctor’s Degree | 926 |
| Basic Certificate | 464 |
| Undergraduate Certificate | 116 |
Earnings of Social Work Majors With Master’s Degrees
The median salary for graduates holding a master's degree in social work is $51,347. A lot of factors can contribute to this number, such as the location of your workplace and the availability of other perks and bonuses. A better approximation of salary is to look at the typical range of salaries. In this case the low is $48,061 and the high is $55,081.
Student Debt
The data on debt ranges for social work majors who have their master's degree is not available.
Student Diversity
More women than men pursue their master's degree in social work. About 87.1% of graduates with this degree are female.
| Gender | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Men | 4,476 |
| Women | 30,231 |
The racial-ethnic distribution of social work master’s degree students is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 1,216 |
| Black or African American | 5,484 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 6,124 |
| White | 18,581 |
| International Students | 459 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 2,843 |
Most Popular Social Work Programs for Master’s Degrees
There are 322 colleges that offer a master’s degree in social work. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:
The most popular school in the United States for social work students seekinga master's degree is Fordham University. Roughly 16,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $60,335 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $25,080 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 1,036 people received their master's degree in social work from Fordham U. About 87% of this group were women, and 44% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Fordham University social work graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $51,347.
The 2nd most popular school in the country for social work majors who are seeking their master's degree is University of Southern California. Roughly 46,200 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $66,640 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $66,640 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 888 people received their master's degree in social work from USC. Of these students, 84% were women and 63% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their master's degree in social work at University of Southern California make a median salary of 51,347.
The 4th most popular school in the country for social work majors who are seeking their master's degree is Rutgers University - New Brunswick. Roughly 50,400 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $13,674 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $19,824 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 705 people received their master's degree in social work from Rutgers New Brunswick. About 86% of this group were women, and 50% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their master's degree in social work at Rutgers University - New Brunswick make a median salary of 51,347.
The University of Texas at Arlington is the 5th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in social work. Each year, around 48,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,206 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,015 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 679 people received their master's degree in social work from UT Arlington. Around 63% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 89% were women. The University of Texas at Arlington social work graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $51,347.
The 6th most popular school in the country for social work majors who are seeking their master's degree is Hunter College. Roughly 24,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $6,930 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,090 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 622 people received their master's degree in social work from Hunter. About 80% of this group were women, and 57% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Hunter College social work graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $51,347.
Simmons University is the 7th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in social work. Each year, around 6,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $44,208 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $28,500 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 551 people received their master's degree in social work from Simmons. Around 26% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 88% were women. Those who complete their master's degree in social work at Simmons University make a median salary of 51,347.
The 8th most popular school in the country for social work majors who are seeking their master's degree is New York University. Roughly 52,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $60,438 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $38,826 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 501 people received their master's degree in social work from NYU. About 88% of this group were women, and 38% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. New York University social work graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $51,347.
University of Denver comes in at #9 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in social work. Each year, around 13,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $58,032 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $58,032 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 500 people received their master's degree in social work from DU. Around 29% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 90% were women. Those who complete their master's degree in social work at University of Denver make a median salary of 51,347.
The 10th most popular school in the country for social work majors who are seeking their master's degree is Columbia University in the City of New York. Each year, around 30,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $64,526 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $53,576 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 487 people received their master's degree in social work from Columbia. Of these students, 87% were women and 45% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their master's degree in social work at Columbia University in the City of New York make a median salary of 51,347.
Aurora University is the 11th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in social work. Each year, around 6,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $28,000 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $15,363 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 478 people received their master's degree in social work from Aurora. About 89% of this group were women, and 34% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that Aurora graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $51,347.
University of Maryland - Baltimore comes in at #12 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in social work. Each year, around 7,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,827 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $15,750 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 411 people received their master's degree in social work from UMB. Of these students, 84% were women and 45% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their master's degree in social work at University of Maryland - Baltimore make a median salary of 51,347.
Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis comes in at #13 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in social work. Roughly 29,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,241 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,648 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 407 people received their master's degree in social work from IUPUI. Of these students, 88% were women and 30% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis social work graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $51,347.
The 14th most popular school in the country for social work majors who are seeking their master's degree is University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. Roughly 47,900 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $17,977 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $27,192 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 384 people received their master's degree in social work from U-M. Around 27% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 84% were women. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor social work graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $51,347.
The 15th most popular school in the country for social work majors who are seeking their master's degree is Ohio State University - Main Campus. Each year, around 61,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,826 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,515 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 356 people received their master's degree in social work from Ohio State. Of these students, 85% were women and 24% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that Ohio State graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $51,347.
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is the 16th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in social work. Roughly 34,200 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,038 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,132 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 327 people received their master's degree in social work from Louisiana State University. Of these students, 93% were women and 32% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College social work graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $51,347.
Wayne State University is the 17th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in social work. Roughly 26,200 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $13,660 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $18,301 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 326 people received their master's degree in social work from Wayne State. Of these students, 87% were women and 39% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that Wayne State graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $51,347.
Boston University is the 18th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in social work. Each year, around 32,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $63,798 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $63,798 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 315 people received their master's degree in social work from Boston U. Of these students, 91% were women and 28% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that Boston U graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $51,347.
The 19th most popular school in the country for social work majors who are seeking their master's degree is Our Lady of the Lake University. Each year, around 2,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $30,804 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $17,658 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 309 people received their master's degree in social work from OLLU. About 90% of this group were women, and 65% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that OLLU graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $51,347.
Arizona State University - Skysong is the 20th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in social work. Roughly 53,900 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,308 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,170 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 292 people received their master's degree in social work from ASU - Skysong. Of these students, 88% were women and 42% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Arizona State University - Skysong social work graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $51,347.
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References
*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.
- College Factual
- National Center for Education Statistics
- O*NET Online
- Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Image Credit: By Army Medicine under License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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