Best Social Work Schools in Ohio

Ohio has 24 colleges offering Social Work programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 1,933 recent graduates. Graduates earn $33,035 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $31,426.

School choice matters significantly: Union Institute & University graduates earn $41,565 while Cedarville University graduates earn $25,194 — a $16,371 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

24
Schools in OH
$33,035
OH Avg. Earnings
$31,426
National Avg.
395
Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Social Work in Ohio

Public Schools (10)
$32,521
avg. 2yr earnings
Private Schools (9)
$32,775
avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $254 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Social Work Schools in Ohio, Ranked by Earnings

#1
U

Union Institute & University

Cincinnati, OH ·

$41,565
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: N/A
#2
L

Lourdes University

Sylvania, OH · Private

$37,088
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 74.1%
#3
C

Capital University

Columbus, OH · Private

$35,772
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $35,600
Graduates: 41
Acceptance: 73.2%
#4
W

Wright State University-Main Campus

Dayton, OH · Public

$35,416
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $35,781
Graduates: 69
Acceptance: 95.2%
#5
M

Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Mount Vernon, OH · Private

$34,847
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $32,843
Graduates: 29
Acceptance: 84.3%
#6
U

University of Toledo

Toledo, OH · Public

$34,755
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $33,540
Graduates: 55
Acceptance: 94.8%
#7
B

Bowling Green State University-Main Campus

Bowling Green, OH · Public

$34,467
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $34,024
Graduates: 54
Acceptance: 80.6%
#8
M

Malone University

Canton, OH · Private

$33,993
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $22,296
Graduates: 19
Acceptance: 75.6%
#9
B

Bluffton University

Bluffton, OH · Private

$33,637
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $33,857
Graduates: 25
Acceptance: 61.2%
#10
M

Miami University-Oxford

Oxford, OH · Public

$33,281
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $29,778
Graduates: 40
Acceptance: 82.1%
#11
A

Ashland University

Ashland, OH · Private

$32,925
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $32,468
Graduates: 17
Acceptance: 80.6%
#12
O

Ohio Dominican University

Columbus, OH · Private

$32,925
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 85.3%
#13
O

Ohio University-Main Campus

Athens, OH · Public

$32,806
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $30,489
Graduates: 103
Acceptance: 84.8%
#14
O

Ohio State University-Lima Campus

Lima, OH ·

$32,772
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $30,962
Graduates: 229
Acceptance: N/A
#15
O

Ohio State University-Mansfield Campus

Mansfield, OH ·

$32,772
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $30,962
Graduates: 229
Acceptance: N/A
#16
O

Ohio State University-Marion Campus

Marion, OH ·

$32,772
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $30,962
Graduates: 229
Acceptance: N/A
#17
O

Ohio State University-Newark Campus

Newark, OH ·

$32,772
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $30,962
Graduates: 229
Acceptance: N/A
#18
O

Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH · Public

$32,772
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $30,962
Graduates: 229
Acceptance: 50.8%
#19
U

University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

Cincinnati, OH · Public

$32,213
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $31,671
Graduates: 49
Acceptance: 87.7%
#20
Y

Youngstown State University

Youngstown, OH · Public

$31,721
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $31,098
Graduates: 110
Acceptance: 80.3%
#21
C

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH · Public

$29,995
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $30,859
Graduates: 83
Acceptance: 95.5%
#22
T

The University of Findlay

Findlay, OH · Private

$28,598
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 86.3%
#23
U

University of Akron Main Campus

Akron, OH · Public

$27,784
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $34,008
Graduates: 78
Acceptance: 70.9%
#24
C

Cedarville University

Cedarville, OH · Private

$25,194
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $35,115
Graduates: 16
Acceptance: 62.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Social Work in Ohio?
Union Institute & University ranks #1 for Social Work in Ohio with median graduate earnings of $41,565 within two years of graduation. There are 24 schools offering Social Work programs in the state.
How much do Social Work graduates earn in Ohio?
Social Work graduates in Ohio earn an average of $33,035 within two years of graduation. This is 5% above the national average of $31,426 for this major.
What is the hardest Social Work school to get into in Ohio?
Ohio State University-Main Campus is the most selective Social Work program in Ohio with an acceptance rate of 50.8%. The average acceptance rate across Social Work programs in the state is 79.3%.
Should I attend a public or private school for Social Work in Ohio?
In Ohio, private Social Work programs produce average earnings of $32,775 vs $32,521 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 10 public and 9 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Ohio

All colleges in Ohio →

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