California · Social Work

Best Social Work institutions in California, ranked by earnings

The Social Work program prepares students to support individuals and communities in overcoming challenges and improving their well-being. This field focuses on advocacy, education, and resource connection, making it ideal for those…

Institutions
36
offering CIP 44.07
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
4,397
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$40,458
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
16
College Scorecard
Median net price
$26,504
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
61%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Healthcare Social Workers
$97,090
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 10 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1San Francisco State University
San Francisco Public · Bachelor's degree
$48,7506950%$17,259
2University of California - Berkeley
Berkeley Public · Bachelor's degree
$44,90615293%$13,719
3California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach Public · Bachelor's degree
$42,92528469%$11,276
4La Sierra University
Riverside Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$42,213860%$26,504$35,500
5University of Massachusetts Global
Aliso Viejo Public · Bachelor's degree
$41,32738443%$34,250
6Fresno Pacific University
Fresno Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$40,4587050%$14,298$25,000
7California State University - San Bernardino
San Bernardino Public · Bachelor's degree
$39,14518055%$13,018
8Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$38,512753%$25,892$30,000
9California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles Public · Bachelor's degree
$37,47737753%$11,000
10California State University - Sacramento
Sacramento Public · Bachelor's degree
$37,29025256%$18,000

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Healthcare Social Workers (SOC 21-1022).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+7.7%
Faster than average
Openings / yr (US)
~18,400
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$68,090
typically Master's degree

Top skills

SpeakingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningReading ComprehensionWritingActive Learning

What Healthcare Social Workers earn in California

Jobs in California
19,680
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$97,090
median $92,970
Best-paying metro
$127,690
Napa, CA

Related careers

Child, Family, and School Social Workers
$73,150 avg · 55,220 jobs
Social and Community Service Managers
$93,190 avg · 33,490 jobs
Marriage and Family Therapists
$74,660 avg · 32,070 jobs
Healthcare Social Workers
$97,090 avg · 19,680 jobs
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
$83,110 avg · 18,020 jobs
Counselors, All Other
$54,750 avg · 13,320 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Social Work programs in California.

Which Social Work program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), San Francisco State University tops the list at $48,750. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Healthcare Social Workers earn in California?+

The average annual wage for Healthcare Social Workers in California is $97,090 (median $92,970), across about 19,680 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

What is the focus of the Social Work program?+

The Social Work program prepares students to support individuals and communities in overcoming challenges and improving their well-being. This field focuses on advocacy, education, and resource connection, making it ideal for those…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop speaking, critical thinking, active listening, reading comprehension, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Healthcare Social Workers?+

The national job outlook is about +7.7% growth with around 18,400 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Master's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

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