Social Work master's degree programs in Illinois
Compare 15 reporting programs using the same federal field and master's degree credential definition. Earnings are observed four years after completion.
Highest reported earnings in Illinois
Each bar uses the same field, credential, state and earnings year.
1University of ChicagoChicago · Debt not reported$71,9802Erikson InstituteChicago · Debt not reported$66,1213University of Illinois ChicagoChicago · Debt not reported$65,9154Chicago State UniversityChicago · Debt not reported$65,6195Loyola University ChicagoChicago · Debt not reported$65,0976University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign · Debt not reported$64,1207Dominican UniversityRiver Forest · Debt not reported$63,2078Governors State UniversityUniversity Park · Debt not reported$62,4829Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleEdwardsville · Debt not reported$62,41210Aurora UniversityAurora · Debt not reported$61,710
CAREER CONTEXT IN IL
What related occupations pay in Illinois
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
- $78,380
- Middle 50% wage range
- $63,730–$95,900
- State employment
- 7,520
- Projected growth
- +7.2%
- Annual openings
- 18,500
21-1021Child, Family, and School Social Workers
- State median wage
- $63,220
- Middle 50% wage range
- $52,320–$81,650
- State employment
- 19,860
- Projected growth
- +4.4%
- Annual openings
- 33,900
25-1113Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary
- State median wage
- $77,010
- Middle 50% wage range
- $60,360–$99,900
- State employment
- 510
- Projected growth
- +2.6%
- Annual openings
- 1,100
21-1022Healthcare Social Workers
- State median wage
- $64,270
- Middle 50% wage range
- $54,270–$78,610
- State employment
- 4,910
- Projected growth
- +8.5%
- Annual openings
- 16,900
21-1029Social Workers, All Other
- State median wage
- $64,030
- Middle 50% wage range
- $48,540–$93,850
- State employment
- 1,910
- Projected growth
- +2.3%
- Annual openings
- 5,800
21-1023Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- State median wage
- $49,960
- Middle 50% wage range
- $46,290–$69,210
- State employment
- 3,460
- Projected growth
- +10.3%
- Annual openings
- 12,500
21-1092Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
- State median wage
- $74,390
- Middle 50% wage range
- $59,510–$98,390
- State employment
- 2,590
- Projected growth
- +3.0%
- Annual openings
- 7,900
21-1013Marriage and Family Therapists
- State median wage
- $60,970
- Middle 50% wage range
- $55,420–$78,070
- State employment
- 860
- Projected growth
- +13.5%
- Annual openings
- 6,900
Career wages and employment are BLS estimates for everyone working in each occupation in Illinois; 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 | University of Chicago | Chicago | $71,980 | Not available |
| 2 | Erikson Institute | Chicago | $66,121 | Not available |
| 3 | University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago | $65,915 | Not available |
| 4 | Chicago State University | Chicago | $65,619 | Not available |
| 5 | Loyola University Chicago | Chicago | $65,097 | Not available |
| 6 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign | $64,120 | Not available |
| 7 | Dominican University | River Forest | $63,207 | Not available |
| 8 | Governors State University | University Park | $62,482 | Not available |
| 9 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | Edwardsville | $62,412 | Not available |
| 10 | Aurora University | Aurora | $61,710 | Not available |
| 11 | University of St Francis | Joliet | $61,372 | Not available |
| 12 | DePaul University | Chicago | $60,329 | Not available |
| 13 | Northeastern Illinois University | Chicago | $59,663 | Not available |
| 14 | Illinois State University | Normal | $55,801 | Not available |
| 15 | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | Carbondale | $54,200 | Not available |
This is an observed-outcomes comparison, not a universal quality ranking. Missing and privacy-suppressed programs are excluded.
A quick read on Social Work in Illinois
What do Social Work master's degree graduates earn in Illinois?
Across 15 reporting programs, the median observed earnings figure is $62,482 four years after completion.
How much federal debt is reported for these programs?
The current federal release does not contain enough reportable debt figures for this comparison.
Which Illinois colleges report the highest earnings for this degree?
The table compares the same federal field, credential and earnings year. University of Chicago has the highest reported figure among the programs shown.