Best Social Work Schools in Minnesota

Minnesota has 14 colleges offering Social Work programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 722 recent graduates. Graduates in Minnesota earn $39,407 on average within two years — 25% above the national average of $31,424, making the state one of the stronger markets for this field.

School choice matters significantly: St Catherine University graduates earn $45,149 while North Central University graduates earn $33,565 — a $11,584 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

14
Schools in MN
$39,407
MN Avg. Earnings
$31,424
National Avg.
482
Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Social Work in Minnesota

Public Schools (8)
$39,638
avg. 2yr earnings
Private Schools (6)
$39,137
avg. 2yr earnings

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

Social Work Schools in Minnesota, Ranked by Earnings

#1
St Catherine University logo

St Catherine University

Saint Paul, MN · Private

$45,149
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $42,462
Graduates: 46
Acceptance: 94.1%
#2
Metropolitan State University logo

Metropolitan State University

Saint Paul, MN · Public

$37,748
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $41,859
Graduates: 32
Acceptance: 96.5%
#3
Augsburg University logo

Augsburg University

Minneapolis, MN · Private

$31,314
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $39,739
Graduates: 21
Acceptance: 76.5%
#4
Minnesota State University-Mankato logo

Minnesota State University-Mankato

Mankato, MN · Public

$40,140
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $39,358
Graduates: 88
Acceptance: 91.3%
#5
Bemidji State University logo

Bemidji State University

Bemidji, MN · Public

$41,937
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $38,358
Graduates: 47
Acceptance: 70.7%
#6
The College of Saint Scholastica logo

The College of Saint Scholastica

Duluth, MN · Private

$40,896
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $39,169
Graduates: 92
Acceptance: 93.8%
#7
University of Minnesota-Duluth logo

University of Minnesota-Duluth

Duluth, MN · Public

N/A
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $32,863
Graduates: 24
Acceptance: 81.8%
#8
Winona State University logo

Winona State University

Winona, MN · Public

$41,565
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $40,999
Graduates: 131
Acceptance: 68.5%
#9
Saint Cloud State University logo

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, MN · Public

$39,286
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $38,481
Graduates: 96
Acceptance: 95.0%
#10
St Olaf College logo

St Olaf College

Northfield, MN · Private

$39,729
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $32,183
Graduates: 19
Acceptance: 52.1%
#11
Minnesota State University Moorhead logo

Minnesota State University Moorhead

Moorhead, MN · Public

$37,964
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $39,480
Graduates: 104
Acceptance: 52.6%
#12
Southwest Minnesota State University logo

Southwest Minnesota State University

Marshall, MN · Public

$38,829
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $33,078
Graduates: 22
Acceptance: 68.9%
#13
Concordia College at Moorhead logo

Concordia College at Moorhead

Moorhead, MN · Private

$44,170
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 63.1%
#14
North Central University logo

North Central University

Minneapolis, MN · Private

$33,565
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 90.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Social Work in Minnesota?
St Catherine University ranks #1 for Social Work in Minnesota with median graduate earnings of $45,149 within two years of graduation. There are 14 schools offering Social Work programs in the state.
How much do Social Work graduates earn in Minnesota?
Social Work graduates in Minnesota earn an average of $39,407 within two years of graduation. This is 25% above the national average of $31,424 for this major.
What is the hardest Social Work school to get into in Minnesota?
St Olaf College is the most selective Social Work program in Minnesota with an acceptance rate of 52.1%. The average acceptance rate across Social Work programs in the state is 78.3%.
Should I attend a public or private school for Social Work in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, private Social Work programs produce average earnings of $39,137 vs $39,638 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 8 public and 6 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Minnesota

All colleges in Minnesota →

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.