Social Work master's degree programs in Tennessee
Compare 9 reporting programs using the same federal field and master's degree credential definition. Earnings are observed four years after completion.
Highest reported earnings in Tennessee
Each bar uses the same field, credential, state and earnings year.
1Middle Tennessee State UniversityMurfreesboro · Debt not reported$64,8852University of MemphisMemphis · Debt not reported$61,6833Austin Peay State UniversityClarksville · Debt not reported$59,3824Tennessee State UniversityNashville · Debt not reported$57,8265The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleKnoxville · Debt not reported$55,6246Union UniversityJackson · Debt not reported$54,6607East Tennessee State UniversityJohnson City · Debt not reported$53,3528Southern Adventist UniversityCollegedale · Debt not reported$52,7329The University of Tennessee-ChattanoogaChattanooga · Debt not reported$52,413
CAREER CONTEXT IN TN
What related occupations pay in Tennessee
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
- $88,240
- Middle 50% wage range
- $71,770–$106,260
- State employment
- 2,770
- Projected growth
- +7.2%
- Annual openings
- 18,500
21-1021Child, Family, and School Social Workers
- State median wage
- $56,310
- Middle 50% wage range
- $46,660–$68,720
- State employment
- 7,870
- Projected growth
- +4.4%
- Annual openings
- 33,900
25-1113Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary
- State median wage
- $75,190
- Middle 50% wage range
- $61,200–$88,300
- State employment
- 240
- Projected growth
- +2.6%
- Annual openings
- 1,100
21-1022Healthcare Social Workers
- State median wage
- $61,240
- Middle 50% wage range
- $48,820–$76,200
- State employment
- 5,970
- Projected growth
- +8.5%
- Annual openings
- 16,900
21-1029Social Workers, All Other
- State median wage
- $51,460
- Middle 50% wage range
- $38,250–$90,730
- State employment
- 1,910
- Projected growth
- +2.3%
- Annual openings
- 5,800
21-1023Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- State median wage
- $46,500
- Middle 50% wage range
- $42,780–$55,310
- State employment
- 2,220
- Projected growth
- +10.3%
- Annual openings
- 12,500
21-1092Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
- State median wage
- $58,010
- Middle 50% wage range
- $51,550–$62,690
- State employment
- 2,120
- Projected growth
- +3.0%
- Annual openings
- 7,900
21-1019Counselors, All Other
- State median wage
- $51,900
- Middle 50% wage range
- $45,700–$54,710
- State employment
- 740
- Projected growth
- +5.9%
- Annual openings
- 4,300
Career wages and employment are BLS estimates for everyone working in each occupation in Tennessee; 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 | Middle Tennessee State University | Murfreesboro | $64,885 | Not available |
| 2 | University of Memphis | Memphis | $61,683 | Not available |
| 3 | Austin Peay State University | Clarksville | $59,382 | Not available |
| 4 | Tennessee State University | Nashville | $57,826 | Not available |
| 5 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | Knoxville | $55,624 | Not available |
| 6 | Union University | Jackson | $54,660 | Not available |
| 7 | East Tennessee State University | Johnson City | $53,352 | Not available |
| 8 | Southern Adventist University | Collegedale | $52,732 | Not available |
| 9 | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga | Chattanooga | $52,413 | 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 Tennessee
What do Social Work master's degree graduates earn in Tennessee?
Across 9 reporting programs, the median observed earnings figure is $55,624 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 Tennessee colleges report the highest earnings for this degree?
The table compares the same federal field, credential and earnings year. Middle Tennessee State University has the highest reported figure among the programs shown.