Social Work at University of Southern California
Master's Degree
Earnings Distribution
How University of Southern California graduates compare to all programs nationally
University of Southern California graduates earn $61k, placing them in the 95th percentile of all social work masters programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Social Work masters's programs at peer institutions in California (27 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern California | $61,298 | $64,432 | — | — |
| San Francisco State University | $93,023 | $76,789 | — | — |
| California State University-East Bay | $81,059 | $78,282 | — | — |
| California State University-Monterey Bay | $71,186 | $72,624 | — | — |
| California State University-Stanislaus | $67,567 | $72,268 | — | — |
| California State University-San Bernardino | $67,479 | $68,797 | — | — |
| National Median | $51,351 | — | — | — |
Other Social Work Programs in California
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across California schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco State University San Francisco | $7,424 | $93,023 | — |
| California State University-East Bay Hayward | $7,055 | $81,059 | — |
| California State University-Monterey Bay Seaside | $7,437 | $71,186 | — |
| California State University-Stanislaus Turlock | $7,826 | $67,567 | — |
| California State University-San Bernardino San Bernardino | $7,675 | $67,479 | — |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Southern California, approximately 22% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.