Social Work Degree Programs in Manhattan, KS (2026)

Quick answer: The Manhattan metro employs about 240 child, family, and school social workers (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing is set at the state level, through your state social work licensing board.

Licensing

Licensing is a state matter, not a city one. Social work licensure is tiered, and both the tier names and what each permits differ by state. The national constants are CSWE accreditation of the degree - required at both bachelor’s and master’s level - and the ASWB examinations. Clinical practice requires the master’s plus supervised post-graduate experience.

See the Kansas licensing and pay overview for the statewide picture, and confirm current requirements with your state social work licensing board.

Schools Near You

Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.

How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention. Advertising plays no part.

This page lists 10 schools within 148 miles, closest group first, then ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 10 of them carry a score.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%

Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal about the institution rather than about this subject. Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from this ranking and never change it. Read the full methodology.

#1

University of Kansas

Lawrence, KS 74.5 miles away BOC Score 72.0
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
  • Strong Hall, 1450 Jayhawk Blvd, Room 230 Lawrence, KS 66045
  • (785) 864-2700
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 68.8% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 25
  • Annual completions: 730
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $69,680 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS 1.3 miles away BOC Score 67.7
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 70.8% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 19
  • Annual completions: 619
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $64,711 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

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#3

Fort Hays State University

Hays, KS 148.5 miles away BOC Score 59.7
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 47.8% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 11
  • Annual completions: 541
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $56,419 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Newman University

Wichita, KS 112.8 miles away BOC Score 57.6
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 53.3% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 11
  • Annual completions: 52
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $56,857 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

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#5

Washburn University

Topeka, KS 49.6 miles away BOC Score 53.8
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 26
  • Annual completions: 396
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $56,774 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#6

Wichita State University

Wichita, KS 108.1 miles away BOC Score 51.5
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 31
  • Annual completions: 709
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $59,707 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

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#7

University of Saint Mary

Leavenworth, KS 91.1 miles away BOC Score 48.0
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 45.9% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 5
  • Annual completions: 62
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $67,112 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#8

Tabor College

Hillsboro, KS 66.3 miles away BOC Score 45.0
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 3
  • Annual completions: 20
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $47,989 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

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#9

Kansas Wesleyan University

Salina, KS 59.7 miles away BOC Score 36.1
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 43.0% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 10
  • Annual completions: 47
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $53,289 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

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What Child, Family, and School Social Workers Earn in Manhattan

Child, Family, and School Social Workers in the Manhattan area earn a median $53,130 per year, below the national median of $59,550 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Social Work Pay in Manhattan, KS

MetricManhattan metroKansasNational
Median annual wage$53,130$54,300$59,550
10th percentile$42,290$43,690$42,280
25th percentile$44,730$48,050$48,270
75th percentile$57,340$61,470$76,070
90th percentile$66,650$69,970$95,530
Employment2403,190392,550
Location quotient1.81-1.00

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Metro figures cover the Manhattan, KS metropolitan statistical area.

What the Numbers Say About This Market

The Manhattan median of $53,130 is below the national median of $59,550, and below the Kansas statewide median of $54,300 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

The metro’s location quotient of 1.81 means child, family, and school social workers are more concentrated here than in the average U.S. labor market (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Higher concentration generally means more employers competing for the same people, and an easier job change later.

Social work demand follows local school districts, hospital systems, county agencies and nonprofit providers.

Other Kansas Metro Areas

Metro areaMedian annual wageEmployment
Wichita$54,310790
Topeka$54,310380
Lawrence$60,980130

Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025.


Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do child, family, and school social workers make in Manhattan?

The median annual wage for child, family, and school social workers in the Manhattan, KS metro area is $53,130, below the national median of $59,550 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

How many child, family, and school social workers work in the Manhattan area?

The Manhattan, KS metro area employs about 240 child, family, and school social workers (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Do child, family, and school social workers in Manhattan need a license?

Licensing is handled at state level rather than by city. Social work licensure is tiered, and both the tier names and what each permits differ by state. The national constants are CSWE accreditation of the degree - required at both bachelor's and master's level - and the ASWB examinations. Clinical practice requires the master's plus supervised post-graduate experience. Confirm current requirements with your state social work licensing board.

Can I study social work online from Manhattan?

The academic portion of these programs is widely available online for working adults, while labs, clinical hours or supervised field work are completed in person. Check that the program's accreditation satisfies your state social work licensing board.

Is Manhattan a better market than the rest of Kansas?

The Manhattan metro median is $53,130 against a statewide median of $54,300 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Compare that gap with the difference in living costs before treating it as a raise.

Sources

  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Child, Family, and School Social Workers (SOC 21-1021), national, state and metropolitan estimates
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.