South Carolina · Social Work

Best colleges for Social Work in South Carolina

Ranked by graduate earnings

University of South Carolina-Columbia, Winthrop University and Columbia College award the most Social Work degrees in South Carolina: 139, 133 and 7 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 5 South Carolina colleges offer Social Work and award 299 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
5
offering CIP 44.07
States & territories
54
with a program page
Degrees / yr
299
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$30,295
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
3
College Scorecard
Median net price
$23,986
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
47%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Healthcare Social Workers
$62,020
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 3 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.

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
1Winthrop University
Rock Hill Public · Bachelor's degree
$35,07013357%—$27,000
2University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia Public · Bachelor's degree
$28,03213979%—$24,000
3Benedict College
Columbia Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program
$30,2951424%$19,589$39,200

Colleges awarding the most Social Work degrees in South Carolina

Top 4 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.

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)
1University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia Public
139$28,032
2Winthrop University
Rock Hill Public
133$35,070
3Columbia College
Columbia Private not-for-profit
7Not reported
4South Carolina State University
Orangeburg Public
6Not reported
Show the other 1 South Carolina colleges offering Social Work
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Benedict CollegeColumbiaPrivate not-for-profit14

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 South Carolina

Jobs in South Carolina
3,100
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$62,020
median $60,840
Best-paying metro
$69,370
Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC

Related careers

Child, Family, and School Social Workers
$53,860 avg · 5,520 jobs
Healthcare Social Workers
$62,020 avg · 3,100 jobs
Social and Community Service Managers
$82,160 avg · 1,990 jobs
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
$43,820 avg · 720 jobs
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
$61,900 avg · 460 jobs
Social Workers, All Other
$92,120 avg · 440 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Social Work programs in South Carolina.

Which South Carolina colleges award the most Social Work degrees?+

University of South Carolina-Columbia (139 graduates a year), Winthrop University (133 graduates a year) and Columbia College (7 graduates a year) award the most Social Work degrees in South Carolina, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 5 South Carolina colleges offer Social Work.

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Winthrop University tops the list at $35,070. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

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

The average annual wage for Healthcare Social Workers in South Carolina is $62,020 (median $60,840), across about 3,100 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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