Oregon · Social Work

Best colleges for Social Work in Oregon

Ranked by graduate earnings

Portland State University, George Fox University and Pacific University award the most Social Work degrees and certificates in Oregon: 427, 40 and 27 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 9 Oregon colleges offer Social Work and award 568 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…

Institutions
9
offering CIP 44.07
States & territories
54
with a program page
Degrees / yr
568
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$27,755
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
2
College Scorecard
Median net price
$30,571
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
44%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Healthcare Social Workers
$85,830
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 2 institutions, 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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Portland State University
Portland Public · Bachelor's degree
$41,59442753%—$25,624
2George Fox University
Newberg Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$27,7554072%$26,564$21,500

Colleges awarding the most Social Work degrees in Oregon

Top 5 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Portland State University
Portland Public
427$41,594
2George Fox University
Newberg Private not-for-profit
40$27,755
3Pacific University
Forest Grove Private not-for-profit
27Not reported
4University of Portland
Portland Private not-for-profit
11Not reported
5Warner Pacific University
Portland Private not-for-profit
5Not reported
Show the other 4 Oregon colleges offering Social Work
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Clackamas Community CollegeOregon CityPublic30
Mt Hood Community CollegeGreshamPublic17
Rogue Community CollegeGrants PassPublic9
Chemeketa Community CollegeSalemPublic2

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 Oregon

Jobs in Oregon
2,320
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$85,830
median $84,350
Best-paying metro
$87,200
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

Related careers

Child, Family, and School Social Workers
$68,400 avg · 6,630 jobs
Social Workers, All Other
$70,200 avg · 3,710 jobs
Social and Community Service Managers
$96,090 avg · 3,390 jobs
Healthcare Social Workers
$85,830 avg · 2,320 jobs
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
$73,050 avg · 2,230 jobs
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
$86,210 avg · 1,260 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Social Work programs in Oregon.

Which Oregon colleges award the most Social Work degrees?+

Portland State University (427 graduates a year), George Fox University (40 graduates a year) and Pacific University (27 graduates a year) award the most Social Work degrees and certificates in Oregon, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 9 Oregon colleges offer Social Work.

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Portland State University tops the list at $41,594. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Healthcare Social Workers earn in Oregon?+

The average annual wage for Healthcare Social Workers in Oregon is $85,830 (median $84,350), across about 2,320 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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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