Best colleges for Social Work in Massachusetts
Ranked by graduate earnings
Salem State University, University of Massachusetts-Boston and Bridgewater State University are the top bachelor's Social Work programs in Massachusetts by graduate earnings. Salem State University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $45,450, College Scorecard. Simmons University, Boston University and Boston College award the most Social Work degrees in Massachusetts: 483, 352 and 251 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 19 Massachusetts colleges offer Social Work and award 1,955 degrees and certificates a year in all.
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…
Top 7 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Salem State University Salem Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,450 | 146 | 50% | — | $27,000 |
| 2 | University of Massachusetts-Boston Boston Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,227 | 25 | 49% | — | $27,947 |
| 3 | Bridgewater State University Bridgewater Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,187 | 160 | 53% | — | $27,000 |
| 4 | College of Our Lady of the Elms Chicopee Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,161 | 35 | 68% | $21,982 | $31,682 |
| 5 | Westfield State University Westfield Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,596 | 134 | 54% | — | $27,000 |
| 6 | Simmons University Boston Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $34,496 | 483 | 72% | $24,848 | $27,000 |
| 7 | Gordon College Wenham Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $30,381 | 2 | 69% | $23,077 | $26,250 |
Colleges awarding the most Social Work degrees in Massachusetts
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Simmons University Boston Private not-for-profit | 483 | $34,496 |
| 2 | Boston University Boston Private not-for-profit | 352 | Not reported |
| 3 | Boston College Chestnut Hill Private not-for-profit | 251 | Not reported |
| 4 | Bridgewater State University Bridgewater Public | 160 | $41,187 |
| 5 | Salem State University Salem Public | 146 | $45,450 |
| 6 | Westfield State University Westfield Public | 134 | $38,596 |
| 7 | Smith College Northampton Private not-for-profit | 129 | Not reported |
| 8 | Regis College Weston Private not-for-profit | 59 | Not reported |
| 9 | Springfield College Springfield Private not-for-profit | 53 | Not reported |
| 10 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst Public | 50 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 9 Massachusetts colleges offering Social Work
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of Our Lady of the Elms | Chicopee | Private not-for-profit | 35 |
| University of Massachusetts-Boston | Boston | Public | 25 |
| Bristol Community College | Fall River | Public | 23 |
| Anna Maria College | Paxton | Private not-for-profit | 16 |
| Merrimack College | North Andover | Private not-for-profit | 13 |
| Berkshire Community College | Pittsfield | Public | 9 |
| Lesley University | Cambridge | Private not-for-profit | 9 |
| Massachusetts Bay Community College | Wellesley Hills | Public | 6 |
| Gordon College | Wenham | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Healthcare Social Workers (SOC 21-1022).
Top skills
What Healthcare Social Workers earn in Massachusetts
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Social Work programs in Massachusetts.
Which Massachusetts colleges award the most Social Work degrees?+
Simmons University (483 graduates a year), Boston University (352 graduates a year) and Boston College (251 graduates a year) award the most Social Work degrees in Massachusetts, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 19 Massachusetts colleges offer Social Work.
What is the best college for Social Work in Massachusetts?+
By graduate earnings, Salem State University leads among bachelor's Social Work programs in Massachusetts, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $45,450, College Scorecard. University of Massachusetts-Boston and Bridgewater State University follow. By degrees awarded, Simmons University is the largest, with 483 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Social Work program in Massachusetts has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Salem State University tops the list at $45,450. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Healthcare Social Workers earn in Massachusetts?+
The average annual wage for Healthcare Social Workers in Massachusetts is $77,000 (median $76,440), across about 7,220 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
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).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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