North Carolina · Social Work

Best Social Work institutions in North Carolina, 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
25
offering CIP 44.07
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
1,725
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$35,485
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
15
College Scorecard
Median net price
$22,259
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
52%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Healthcare Social Workers
$65,690
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
1Mars Hill University
Mars Hill Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$41,6431145%$20,402$29,133
2University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington Public · Bachelor's degree
$38,38015171%$22,361
3Barton College
Wilson Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$38,3121446%$23,133$27,000
4Western Carolina University
Cullowhee Public · Bachelor's degree
$36,72711660%$25,857
5East Carolina University
Greenville Public · Bachelor's degree
$35,74513563%$26,000
6North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh Public · Bachelor's degree
$35,48515485%$20,791
7Appalachian State University
Boone Public · Bachelor's degree
$32,72516375%$22,184
8University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Pembroke Public · Bachelor's degree
$31,69510744%$27,000
9Shaw University
Raleigh Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$31,138522%$16,542$38,000
10North Carolina Central University
Durham Public · Bachelor's degree
$30,61510442%$31,000

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 North Carolina

Jobs in North Carolina
4,650
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$65,690
median $65,140
Best-paying metro
$75,310
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Related careers

Child, Family, and School Social Workers
$59,010 avg · 13,960 jobs
Healthcare Social Workers
$65,690 avg · 4,650 jobs
Social and Community Service Managers
$81,560 avg · 4,340 jobs
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
$58,150 avg · 3,160 jobs
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
$58,300 avg · 2,700 jobs
Marriage and Family Therapists
$60,540 avg · 2,110 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Social Work programs in North Carolina.

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), Mars Hill University tops the list at $41,643. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Healthcare Social Workers earn in North Carolina?+

The average annual wage for Healthcare Social Workers in North Carolina is $65,690 (median $65,140), across about 4,650 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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