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Best Social Work Schools in Illinois

Illinois has 14 colleges offering Social Work programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 498 recent graduates. Graduates in Illinois earn $29,252 on average within two years — 7% below the national average of $31,426. Lower cost of living or industry mix may explain the gap.

School choice matters significantly: Bradley University graduates earn $33,077 while Trinity Christian College graduates earn $16,478 — a $16,599 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

14
Schools in IL
$29,252
IL Avg. Earnings
$31,426
National Avg.
395
Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Social Work in Illinois

Public Schools (7)
$30,416
avg. 2yr earnings
Private Schools (6)
$28,207
avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in Illinois produce comparable or higher early earnings for Social Work graduates, often at lower cost — making them strong value options.

Social Work Schools in Illinois, Ranked by Earnings

#1
B

Bradley University

Peoria, IL · Private

$33,077
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 76.7%
#2
A

Aurora University

Aurora, IL · Private

$32,925
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $30,727
Graduates: 59
Acceptance: 85.1%
#3
W

Western Illinois University

Macomb, IL · Public

$32,854
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $32,654
Graduates: 69
Acceptance: 75.0%
#4
N

Northeastern Illinois University

Chicago, IL · Public

$31,474
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $32,165
Graduates: 117
Acceptance: 70.4%
#5
U

University of Illinois Springfield

Springfield, IL · Public

$31,466
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $31,182
Graduates: 23
Acceptance: 84.4%
#6
S

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Carbondale, IL · Public

$31,067
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $26,883
Graduates: 53
Acceptance: 90.4%
#7
M

Millikin University

Decatur, IL · Private

$30,771
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 54.0%
#8
I

Illinois State University

Normal, IL · Public

$30,554
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $31,554
Graduates: 53
Acceptance: 89.0%
#9
S

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Edwardsville, IL · Public

$29,374
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $29,707
Graduates: 28
Acceptance: 97.2%
#10
O

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, IL · Private

$29,250
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $29,995
Graduates: 23
Acceptance: 66.9%
#11
S

St. Augustine College

Chicago, IL ·

$27,377
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $33,144
Graduates: 20
Acceptance: N/A
#12
C

Concordia University-Chicago

River Forest, IL · Private

$26,739
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $27,539
Graduates: 20
Acceptance: 93.4%
#13
G

Governors State University

University Park, IL · Public

$26,121
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $30,365
Graduates: 33
Acceptance: N/A
#14
T

Trinity Christian College

Palos Heights, IL · Private

$16,478
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 88.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Social Work in Illinois?
Bradley University ranks #1 for Social Work in Illinois with median graduate earnings of $33,077 within two years of graduation. There are 14 schools offering Social Work programs in the state.
How much do Social Work graduates earn in Illinois?
Social Work graduates in Illinois earn an average of $29,252 within two years of graduation. This is 7% below the national average of $31,426 for this major.
What is the hardest Social Work school to get into in Illinois?
Millikin University is the most selective Social Work program in Illinois with an acceptance rate of 54.0%. The average acceptance rate across Social Work programs in the state is 80.9%.
Should I attend a public or private school for Social Work in Illinois?
In Illinois, private Social Work programs produce average earnings of $28,207 vs $30,416 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 7 public and 6 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Illinois

Mathematics and Computer Science $76,967 Chemical Engineering $69,173 Industrial Engineering $69,102 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $68,897 Engineering, General $67,238 Computer Science $66,656 Computer Engineering $65,978 Materials Engineering $64,773
All colleges in Illinois →

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Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.