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SAME FIELD · SAME CREDENTIAL · ONE STATE

Social Work bachelor's degree programs in California

Compare 15 reporting programs using the same federal field and bachelor's degree credential definition. Earnings are observed four years after completion.

15Programs reporting earnings

$59,545Median year-4 earnings

$15,176Median federal debt

14Programs reporting debt

OUTCOME SPREAD

Highest reported earnings in California

Each bar uses the same field, credential, state and earnings year.

1La Sierra UniversityRiverside · $35,500 federal debt$69,244 2California State University, San BernardinoSan Bernardino · $13,018 federal debt$69,201 3San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco · $17,259 federal debt$68,524 4California State University, Long BeachLong Beach · $11,276 federal debt$68,448 5University of California, BerkeleyBerkeley · $13,719 federal debt$67,393 6Fresno Pacific UniversityFresno · $25,000 federal debt$61,951 7Pacific Union CollegeAngwin · Debt not reported$61,514 8California State University, Los AngelesLos Angeles · $11,000 federal debt$59,545 9California State University, SacramentoSacramento · $18,000 federal debt$58,280 10California State Polytechnic University-HumboldtArcata · $23,286 federal debt$57,953

CAREER CONTEXT IN CA

What related occupations pay in California

These are common occupational matches for this field, ranked by the strength of the federal education-to-occupation match.

11-9151Social and Community Service Managers

State median wage: $83,210
Middle 50% wage range: $70,810–$114,090
State employment: 33,510
Projected growth: +7.2%
Annual openings: 18,500

10th–90th percentile: $56,510–$149,280

21-1021Child, Family, and School Social Workers

State median wage: $65,200
Middle 50% wage range: $52,270–$82,080
State employment: 60,310
Projected growth: +4.4%
Annual openings: 33,900

10th–90th percentile: $45,360–$103,050

21-1022Healthcare Social Workers

State median wage: $89,660
Middle 50% wage range: $67,630–$118,740
State employment: 17,690
Projected growth: +8.5%
Annual openings: 16,900

10th–90th percentile: $54,220–$134,880

25-1113Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary

State median wage: $81,500
Middle 50% wage range: $74,160–$107,870
State employment: 230
Projected growth: +2.6%
Annual openings: 1,100

10th–90th percentile: $53,760–$151,990

21-1029Social Workers, All Other

State median wage: $63,010
Middle 50% wage range: $42,350–$102,160
State employment: 6,430
Projected growth: +2.3%
Annual openings: 5,800

10th–90th percentile: $36,160–$132,480

21-1023Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

State median wage: $79,000
Middle 50% wage range: $57,800–$118,860
State employment: 19,860
Projected growth: +10.3%
Annual openings: 12,500

10th–90th percentile: $46,450–$147,300

21-1092Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

State median wage: $103,640
Middle 50% wage range: $80,300–$123,540
State employment: 13,900
Projected growth: +3.0%
Annual openings: 7,900

10th–90th percentile: $64,820–$140,950

21-1013Marriage and Family Therapists

State median wage: $67,300
Middle 50% wage range: $49,680–$98,450
State employment: 34,970
Projected growth: +13.5%
Annual openings: 6,900

10th–90th percentile: $46,350–$130,340

Career wages and employment are BLS estimates for everyone working in each occupation in California; they are not earnings or placement rates for graduates of these programs. Wage ranges show the distribution across workers, not an entry-to-experienced career path. Growth and annual openings are national 2025–35 projections. BLS reports openings in thousands; DegreeVerdict displays the corresponding job count. These figures provide labor-market context and are not used in DegreeVerdict payoff or ROI calculations.

ALL REPORTING PROGRAMS

Compare every available outcome

Sorted by observed year-4 earnings. Open a row for its exact college-and-degree profile.

#	College	City	Median year-4 earnings	Median federal debt
1	La Sierra University	Riverside	$69,244	$35,500
2	California State University, San Bernardino	San Bernardino	$69,201	$13,018
3	San Francisco State University	San Francisco	$68,524	$17,259
4	California State University, Long Beach	Long Beach	$68,448	$11,276
5	University of California, Berkeley	Berkeley	$67,393	$13,719
6	Fresno Pacific University	Fresno	$61,951	$25,000
7	Pacific Union College	Angwin	$61,514	Not available
8	California State University, Los Angeles	Los Angeles	$59,545	$11,000
9	California State University, Sacramento	Sacramento	$58,280	$18,000
10	California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt	Arcata	$57,953	$23,286
11	California State University, Chico	Chico	$57,146	$17,000
12	San Diego State University	San Diego	$56,674	$15,176
13	California State University, Fresno	Fresno	$56,038	$12,000
14	California State University, Northridge	Northridge	$52,988	$12,449
15	University of Massachusetts Global	Aliso Viejo	$47,441	$34,250

This is an observed-outcomes comparison, not a universal quality ranking. Missing and privacy-suppressed programs are excluded.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

A quick read on Social Work in California

What do Social Work bachelor's degree graduates earn in California?

Across 15 reporting programs, the median observed earnings figure is $59,545 four years after completion.

How much federal debt is reported for these programs?

The median is $15,176 among the 14 programs reporting federal debt.

Which California colleges report the highest earnings for this degree?

The table compares the same federal field, credential and earnings year. La Sierra University has the highest reported figure among the programs shown.