Social Work
Quick Facts: Social Work Training
Where it's offered
Social Work programs are offered at 9 schools across 6 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.
Earnings expectations
Graduates earn approximately $30,861/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.
Apprenticeship pathways
There are no Department of Labor registered apprenticeship pathways currently mapped to Social Work, but related trades may have programs — check apprenticeship.gov directly.
Program quality benchmark
Across the 9 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 43/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.
What Social Work Graduates Do
Your day could start in a hospital, helping a family navigate a new diagnosis and plan for post-discharge care, then end in a school, creating a support plan for a student in crisis. As a new social worker, you’ll begin in these frontline roles, acting as a critical link connecting people to resources like housing, food assistance, and counseling. You'll be their advocate in courtrooms, clinics, and government offices.
Read more
With experience and often a master’s degree, you can advance to become a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), providing therapy and managing complex cases independently, or even opening a private practice. Many also progress into leadership as social and community service managers, where you’ll shift from direct client work to overseeing programs, writing grants, and supervising staff. Demand is particularly strong in the healthcare and mental health fields. This is deeply human work, requiring in-person connection and empathy that can't be automated, ensuring your skills remain essential and your career brings greater responsibility and earnings over time.
Related programs worth comparing: Human Services, Community Organization, and Mental Health Services.
Find Social Work Programs in Your State
Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Social Work is offered at 9 schools across 6 states. Pick your state to see a local comparison (states with fewer programs link to the state hub).
Top Social Work Programs Nationally
For context, here are the highest-scoring Social Work programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.
9 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin Community College District Austin, TX |
64 58–65 |
| 2 | Indiana University-Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN |
58 57–59 |
| 3 | Rowan College of South Jersey-Cumberland Campus Vineland, NJ |
57 54–58 |
| 4 | Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester Campus Sewell, NJ |
57 54–58 |
| 5 | Connecticut State Community College Hartford, CT |
52 46–53 |
| 6 | Clark State College Springfield, OH |
50 48–50 |
| 7 | Camden County College Blackwood, NJ |
50 43–51 |
| 8 | Iowa Central Community College Fort Dodge, IA |
44 40–45 |
| 9 | South Texas College McAllen, TX |
41 35–41 |
Highest Earning Social Work Programs
Schools where Social Work graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana University-Indianapolis | $41,561/yr | 58 |
| Rowan College of South Jersey-Cumberland Campus | $37,250/yr | 57 |
| Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester Campus | $37,250/yr | 57 |
| Austin Community College District | $34,003/yr | 64 |
| Clark State College | $29,981/yr | 50 |
| Connecticut State Community College | $29,555/yr | 52 |
| Iowa Central Community College | $25,197/yr | 44 |
| Camden County College | $24,616/yr | 50 |
| South Texas College | $18,336/yr | 41 |
Best ROI for Social Work
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Social Work.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Community College District | 93.1x | $34,003/yr | 64 |
| Camden County College | 50.6x | $24,616/yr | 50 |
| Rowan College of South Jersey-Cumberland Campus | 43.5x | $37,250/yr | 57 |
| Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester Campus | 43.5x | $37,250/yr | 57 |
| Connecticut State Community College | 41.8x | $29,555/yr | 52 |
| Indiana University-Indianapolis | 38.8x | $41,561/yr | 58 |
| South Texas College | 36.8x | $18,336/yr | 41 |
| Clark State College | 34.7x | $29,981/yr | 50 |
| Iowa Central Community College | 28.8x | $25,197/yr | 44 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
Considering a 4-Year Degree?
Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Social Work degree programs stack up on earnings and ROI.