Illinois · Social Work

Best Social Work institutions in Illinois, 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
2,632
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$38,707
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
13
College Scorecard
Median net price
$17,632
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
50%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Healthcare Social Workers
$67,130
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
1Governors State University
University Park Public · Bachelor's degree
$44,1335422%$33,983
2Millikin University
Decatur Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$41,543355%$8,373$27,000
3Western Illinois University
Macomb Public · Bachelor's degree
$39,6412245%$29,850
4Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago Public · Bachelor's degree
$39,17814422%$17,500
5Illinois State University
Normal Public · Bachelor's degree
$39,0417265%$25,000
6University of Illinois Springfield
Springfield Public · Bachelor's degree
$38,7071153%$24,810
7Aurora University
Aurora Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$38,38274960%$18,431$27,000
8National Louis University
Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$37,2052030%$18,904
9Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville Public · Bachelor's degree
$36,9745857%$25,000
10University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign
Champaign Public · Bachelor's degree
$36,81525885%$19,344

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 Illinois

Jobs in Illinois
5,240
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$67,130
median $68,710
Best-paying metro
$71,590
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Related careers

Child, Family, and School Social Workers
$69,430 avg · 17,790 jobs
Social and Community Service Managers
$78,840 avg · 7,050 jobs
Healthcare Social Workers
$67,130 avg · 5,240 jobs
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
$77,290 avg · 2,540 jobs
Social Workers, All Other
$72,170 avg · 1,870 jobs
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
$61,600 avg · 1,730 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Social Work programs in Illinois.

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), Governors State University tops the list at $44,133. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Healthcare Social Workers earn in Illinois?+

The average annual wage for Healthcare Social Workers in Illinois is $67,130 (median $68,710), across about 5,240 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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