Best Social Work Schools in North Carolina

North Carolina has 23 colleges offering Social Work programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 737 recent graduates. Graduates in North Carolina earn $28,819 on average within two years — 8% below the national average of $31,424. Lower cost of living or industry mix may explain the gap.

School choice matters significantly: East Carolina University graduates earn $33,616 while Warren Wilson College graduates earn $18,401 — a $15,215 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in NC

$28,819

NC Avg. Earnings

$31,424

National Avg.

482

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Social Work in North Carolina

Public Schools (13)

$28,766

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (10)

$28,887

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $121 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Social Work Schools in North Carolina, Ranked by Earnings

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC · Public

$33,616

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,899

Graduates: 52

Acceptance: 90.1%

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Raleigh, NC · Public

$28,598

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $26,792

Graduates: 44

Acceptance: 39.9%

Winston-Salem State University

Winston-Salem, NC · Public

$28,598

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $26,263

Graduates: 30

Acceptance: 68.5%

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Pembroke, NC · Public

$26,933

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,018

Graduates: 43

Acceptance: 92.4%

Mars Hill University

Mars Hill, NC · Private

$33,726

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,048

Graduates: 31

Acceptance: 77.9%

Appalachian State University

Boone, NC · Public

$34,526

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,268

Graduates: 70

Acceptance: 88.6%

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC · Public

$30,167

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,194

Graduates: 62

Acceptance: 86.7%

North Carolina Central University

Durham, NC · Public

$22,130

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $24,577

Graduates: 34

Acceptance: 90.5%

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Wilmington, NC · Public

$32,747

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,180

Graduates: 71

Acceptance: 74.0%

#10

North Carolina A & T State University

Greensboro, NC · Public

$23,508

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,452

Graduates: 71

Acceptance: 46.2%

#11

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC · Public

$30,305

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,742

Graduates: 49

Acceptance: 80.2%

#12

Shaw University

Raleigh, NC · Private

$32,391

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,535

Graduates: 22

Acceptance: 30.5%

#13

Livingstone College

Salisbury, NC · Private

Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville, NC · Public

$28,236

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,747

Graduates: 33

Acceptance: 79.9%

#15

Elizabeth City State University

Elizabeth City, NC · Public

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, NC · Public

$31,021

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,380

Graduates: 81

Acceptance: 89.8%

#17

Campbell University

Buies Creek, NC · Private

Methodist University

Fayetteville, NC · Private

Bennett College

Greensboro, NC · Private

Barton College

Wilson, NC · Private

$32,124

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,699

Graduates: 20

Acceptance: 95.9%

#21

Johnson C Smith University

Charlotte, NC · Private

$26,933

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $23,981

Graduates: 24

Acceptance: 42.9%

#22

Meredith College

Raleigh, NC · Private

Warren Wilson College

Swannanoa, NC · Private

$18,401

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 77.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Social Work in North Carolina?

East Carolina University ranks #1 for Social Work in North Carolina with median graduate earnings of $33,616 within two years of graduation. There are 23 schools offering Social Work programs in the state.

How much do Social Work graduates earn in North Carolina?

Social Work graduates in North Carolina earn an average of $28,819 within two years of graduation. This is 8% below the national average of $31,424 for this major.

What is the hardest Social Work school to get into in North Carolina?

Shaw University is the most selective Social Work program in North Carolina with an acceptance rate of 30.5%. The average acceptance rate across Social Work programs in the state is 72.8%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Social Work in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, private Social Work programs produce average earnings of $28,887 vs $28,766 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 13 public and 10 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in North Carolina

Computer Engineering $79,319 Biomedical/Medical Engineering $65,539 Chemical Engineering $65,411 Computer Science $60,095 Construction Engineering Technologies $58,582 Civil Engineering $56,103 Computer Programming $55,943 Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other $50,726

All colleges in North Carolina →

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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.