Social Work: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 463 reporting college programs.
MODELED SCENARIO · Negative payoff
−$187,052 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting bachelor's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 4-year duration.
At these assumptions, the estimated earnings premium does not recover the modeled economic investment within ten years.
39.2 yrsModeled economic break-even
−74%Modeled 10-year ROI
$51,410Observed earnings · year 4
Observed national outcomes
$51,410Median reported earnings · year 4
$48,814Average reported earnings · year 5
$26,475Median federal debt
25thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
463Reporting programs
442With year-4 earnings
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $34,968
- Federal debt
- $11,018
- Reporting programs
- 4
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $40,761
- Federal debt
- $17,033
- Reporting programs
- 41
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $51,410
- Federal debt
- $26,475
- Reporting programs
- 463
Post-baccalaureate Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $60,275
- Federal debt
- $26,000
- Reporting programs
- 3
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $62,611
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 283
Doctoral Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $103,777
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 6
First Professional Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $68,031
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 3
Graduate/Professional Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $82,838
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)
- Year-4 earnings
- $57,436
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$47,587National median$51,41075th percentile$56,058
442 programs report year‑4 earnings.See the spread, not just the national number.
1Providence College$70,3562CUNY Hunter College$70,2733La Sierra University$69,2444California State University, San Bernardino$69,2015San Francisco State University$68,5246California State University, Long Beach$68,4487Pacific Lutheran University$67,4588University of California, Berkeley$67,3939Iona University$66,41710Fordham University$66,349Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Child, Family, and School Social WorkersSOC 21-1021 · 4 crosswalk linksSocial and Community Service ManagersSOC 11-9151 · 4 crosswalk linksHealthcare Social WorkersSOC 21-1022 · 3 crosswalk linksSocial Work Teachers, PostsecondarySOC 25-1113 · 3 crosswalk linksSocial Workers, All OtherSOC 21-1029 · 3 crosswalk linksMental Health and Substance Abuse Social WorkersSOC 21-1023 · 2 crosswalk linksCounselors, All OtherSOC 21-1019 · 1 crosswalk linksMarriage and Family TherapistsSOC 21-1013 · 1 crosswalk linksProbation Officers and Correctional Treatment SpecialistsSOC 21-1092 · 1 crosswalk links
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Providence CollegeBachelor's Degree | Providence, RI | $70,356 | Not available | -32% | Negative payoff |
| 2 | CUNY Hunter CollegeBachelor's Degree | New York, NY | $70,273 | $9,608 | +32% | Positive payoff |
| 3 | La Sierra UniversityBachelor's Degree | Riverside, CA | $69,244 | $35,500 | -33% | Negative payoff |
| 4 | California State University, San BernardinoBachelor's Degree | San Bernardino, CA | $69,201 | $13,018 | +22% | Positive payoff |
| 5 | San Francisco State UniversityBachelor's Degree | San Francisco, CA | $68,524 | $17,259 | +3% | Positive payoff |
| 6 | California State University, Long BeachBachelor's Degree | Long Beach, CA | $68,448 | $11,276 | +6% | Positive payoff |
| 7 | Pacific Lutheran UniversityBachelor's Degree | Tacoma, WA | $67,458 | $26,000 | -13% | Negative payoff |
| 8 | University of California, BerkeleyBachelor's Degree | Berkeley, CA | $67,393 | $13,719 | -4% | Negative payoff |
| 9 | Iona UniversityBachelor's Degree | New Rochelle, NY | $66,417 | $25,749 | -28% | Negative payoff |
| 10 | Fordham UniversityBachelor's Degree | Bronx, NY | $66,349 | $27,000 | -40% | Negative payoff |
| 11 | Adelphi UniversityBachelor's Degree | Garden City, NY | $66,162 | $25,000 | -30% | Negative payoff |
| 12 | University of the District of ColumbiaBachelor's Degree | Washington, DC | $65,986 | $49,652 | -6% | Negative payoff |
| 13 | Texas Christian UniversityBachelor's Degree | Fort Worth, TX | $65,536 | $24,000 | -37% | Negative payoff |
| 14 | The Catholic University of AmericaBachelor's Degree | Washington, DC | $65,185 | $25,000 | -32% | Negative payoff |
| 15 | Dominican University New YorkBachelor's Degree | Orangeburg, NY | $64,672 | Not available | -43% | Negative payoff |
| 16 | Boston UniversityBachelor's Degree | Boston, MA | $63,594 | Not available | -33% | Negative payoff |
| 17 | Seton Hall UniversityBachelor's Degree | South Orange, NJ | $63,559 | $25,721 | -39% | Negative payoff |
| 18 | Portland State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Portland, OR | $63,456 | $25,624 | -15% | Negative payoff |
| 19 | Simmons UniversityBachelor's Degree | Boston, MA | $62,992 | $27,000 | -36% | Negative payoff |
| 20 | CUNY Lehman CollegeBachelor's Degree | Bronx, NY | $62,955 | $12,690 | -7% | Negative payoff |
| 21 | Centenary UniversityBachelor's Degree | Hackettstown, NJ | $62,373 | $20,476 | -34% | Negative payoff |
| 22 | St Catherine UniversityBachelor's Degree | Saint Paul, MN | $62,227 | $30,912 | -34% | Negative payoff |
| 23 | George Fox UniversityBachelor's Degree | Newberg, OR | $62,201 | $21,500 | -44% | Negative payoff |
| 24 | Fresno Pacific UniversityBachelor's Degree | Fresno, CA | $61,951 | $25,000 | -28% | Negative payoff |
| 25 | Eastern Connecticut State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Willimantic, CT | $61,908 | $22,325 | -36% | Negative payoff |
| 26 | Creighton UniversityBachelor's Degree | Omaha, NE | $61,829 | Not available | -45% | Negative payoff |
| 27 | Barry UniversityBachelor's Degree | Miami, FL | $61,820 | $30,675 | -38% | Negative payoff |
| 28 | Anna Maria CollegeBachelor's Degree | Paxton, MA | $61,652 | $27,000 | -43% | Negative payoff |
| 29 | College of Staten Island CUNYBachelor's Degree | Staten Island, NY | $61,558 | Not available | -18% | Negative payoff |
| 30 | Pacific Union CollegeBachelor's Degree | Angwin, CA | $61,514 | Not available | -52% | Negative payoff |
| 31 | Skidmore CollegeBachelor's Degree | Saratoga Springs, NY | $61,428 | Not available | -47% | Negative payoff |
| 32 | College of Our Lady of the ElmsBachelor's Degree | Chicopee, MA | $60,938 | $31,682 | -36% | Negative payoff |
| 33 | Syracuse UniversityBachelor's Degree | Syracuse, NY | $60,920 | $27,000 | -53% | Negative payoff |
| 34 | CUNY York CollegeBachelor's Degree | Jamaica, NY | $60,820 | $9,500 | -20% | Negative payoff |
| 35 | Metropolitan State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Saint Paul, MN | $60,755 | $29,615 | -36% | Negative payoff |
| 36 | CUNY Medgar Evers CollegeBachelor's Degree | Brooklyn, NY | $60,755 | $15,096 | -22% | Negative payoff |
| 37 | Eastern Washington UniversityBachelor's Degree | Cheney, WA | $60,696 | $17,109 | -33% | Negative payoff |
| 38 | Augsburg UniversityBachelor's Degree | Minneapolis, MN | $60,546 | $25,737 | -44% | Negative payoff |
| 39 | Walla Walla UniversityBachelor's Degree | College Place, WA | $60,449 | Not available | -43% | Negative payoff |
| 40 | University of Nevada-Las VegasBachelor's Degree | Las Vegas, NV | $60,344 | $21,686 | -31% | Negative payoff |
| 41 | University of Nevada-RenoBachelor's Degree | Reno, NV | $60,320 | $17,905 | -37% | Negative payoff |
| 42 | Siena UniversityBachelor's Degree | Loudonville, NY | $60,100 | $26,899 | -52% | Negative payoff |
| 43 | Morgan State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Baltimore, MD | $60,082 | $35,000 | -37% | Negative payoff |
| 44 | Salem State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Salem, MA | $60,026 | $27,000 | -38% | Negative payoff |
| 45 | State University of New York at PlattsburghBachelor's Degree | Plattsburgh, NY | $59,925 | $23,990 | -40% | Negative payoff |
| 46 | The University of Texas at AustinBachelor's Degree | Austin, TX | $59,850 | $21,506 | -43% | Negative payoff |
| 47 | Widener UniversityBachelor's Degree | Chester, PA | $59,654 | $30,750 | -48% | Negative payoff |
| 48 | New York UniversityBachelor's Degree | New York, NY | $59,593 | $25,000 | -56% | Negative payoff |
| 49 | Saint Martin's UniversityBachelor's Degree | Lacey, WA | $59,559 | Not available | -50% | Negative payoff |
| 50 | University of UtahBachelor's Degree | Salt Lake City, UT | $59,551 | $15,038 | -41% | Negative payoff |
| 51 | California State University, Los AngelesBachelor's Degree | Los Angeles, CA | $59,545 | $11,000 | -26% | Negative payoff |
| 52 | Bridgewater State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Bridgewater, MA | $59,510 | $27,000 | -41% | Negative payoff |
| 53 | University at AlbanyBachelor's Degree | Albany, NY | $59,475 | $23,000 | -42% | Negative payoff |
| 54 | University of Saint JosephBachelor's Degree | West Hartford, CT | $59,465 | $27,000 | -50% | Negative payoff |
| 55 | Stony Brook UniversityBachelor's Degree | Stony Brook, NY | $59,449 | $23,981 | -43% | Negative payoff |
| 56 | Southern Connecticut State UniversityBachelor's Degree | New Haven, CT | $59,438 | $23,935 | -45% | Negative payoff |
| 57 | Long Island UniversityBachelor's Degree | Brookville, NY | $59,425 | Not available | -54% | Negative payoff |
| 58 | East Central UniversityBachelor's Degree | Ada, OK | $59,384 | $26,219 | -33% | Negative payoff |
| 59 | Central Connecticut State UniversityBachelor's Degree | New Britain, CT | $59,309 | $24,844 | -42% | Negative payoff |
| 60 | University of Washington-Seattle CampusBachelor's Degree | Seattle, WA | $59,256 | $17,396 | -40% | Negative payoff |
| 61 | University of Washington-Tacoma CampusBachelor's Degree | Tacoma, WA | $59,256 | $17,396 | -35% | Negative payoff |
| 62 | Loyola University ChicagoBachelor's Degree | Chicago, IL | $59,206 | $21,133 | -56% | Negative payoff |
| 63 | Monmouth UniversityBachelor's Degree | West Long Branch, NJ | $59,147 | $27,000 | -53% | Negative payoff |
| 64 | Molloy UniversityBachelor's Degree | Rockville Centre, NY | $59,130 | $25,000 | -49% | Negative payoff |
| 65 | Salisbury UniversityBachelor's Degree | Salisbury, MD | $59,110 | $23,552 | -44% | Negative payoff |
| 66 | Stockton UniversityBachelor's Degree | Galloway, NJ | $59,102 | $27,000 | -46% | Negative payoff |
| 67 | Mercy UniversityBachelor's Degree | Dobbs Ferry, NY | $59,024 | $26,000 | -41% | Negative payoff |
| 68 | Heritage UniversityBachelor's Degree | Toppenish, WA | $58,634 | $14,007 | -43% | Negative payoff |
| 69 | Colorado State University PuebloBachelor's Degree | Pueblo, CO | $58,449 | $28,785 | -39% | Negative payoff |
| 70 | Texas Tech UniversityBachelor's Degree | Lubbock, TX | $58,441 | $29,875 | -48% | Negative payoff |
| 71 | University of Maryland-Baltimore CountyBachelor's Degree | Baltimore, MD | $58,412 | $22,500 | -45% | Negative payoff |
| 72 | Sacred Heart UniversityBachelor's Degree | Fairfield, CT | $58,384 | $26,950 | -63% | Negative payoff |
| 73 | Ramapo College of New JerseyBachelor's Degree | Mahwah, NJ | $58,371 | $24,491 | -47% | Negative payoff |
| 74 | University of New Hampshire-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Durham, NH | $58,308 | $27,000 | -52% | Negative payoff |
| 75 | Baylor UniversityBachelor's Degree | Waco, TX | $58,293 | $23,198 | -61% | Negative payoff |
| 76 | California State University, SacramentoBachelor's Degree | Sacramento, CA | $58,280 | $18,000 | -39% | Negative payoff |
| 77 | University of Hawaii at ManoaBachelor's Degree | Honolulu, HI | $58,097 | $24,610 | -46% | Negative payoff |
| 78 | Texas A&M University-Central TexasBachelor's Degree | Killeen, TX | $58,052 | $26,631 | -30% | Negative payoff |
| 79 | Madonna UniversityBachelor's Degree | Livonia, MI | $58,037 | $25,597 | -48% | Negative payoff |
| 80 | California State Polytechnic University-HumboldtBachelor's Degree | Arcata, CA | $57,953 | $23,286 | -44% | Negative payoff |
| 81 | Nazareth UniversityBachelor's Degree | Rochester, NY | $57,949 | $26,250 | -56% | Negative payoff |
| 82 | Daemen UniversityBachelor's Degree | Amherst, NY | $57,850 | $27,000 | -50% | Negative payoff |
| 83 | Valparaiso UniversityBachelor's Degree | Valparaiso, IN | $57,609 | $27,000 | -50% | Negative payoff |
| 84 | Seattle UniversityBachelor's Degree | Seattle, WA | $57,349 | Not available | -61% | Negative payoff |
| 85 | Michigan State UniversityBachelor's Degree | East Lansing, MI | $57,321 | $26,169 | -52% | Negative payoff |
| 86 | University of PortlandBachelor's Degree | Portland, OR | $57,253 | Not available | -58% | Negative payoff |
| 87 | Bowie State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Bowie, MD | $57,224 | $31,000 | -52% | Negative payoff |
| 88 | Viterbo UniversityBachelor's Degree | La Crosse, WI | $57,159 | $31,000 | -54% | Negative payoff |
| 89 | California State University, ChicoBachelor's Degree | Chico, CA | $57,146 | $17,000 | -49% | Negative payoff |
| 90 | Saginaw Valley State UniversityBachelor's Degree | University Center, MI | $56,961 | $31,000 | -46% | Negative payoff |
| 91 | Delaware State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Dover, DE | $56,937 | $25,000 | -49% | Negative payoff |
| 92 | University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignBachelor's Degree | Champaign, IL | $56,917 | $19,344 | -50% | Negative payoff |
| 93 | Minnesota State University-MankatoBachelor's Degree | Mankato, MN | $56,858 | $24,250 | -54% | Negative payoff |
| 94 | Rutgers University-CamdenBachelor's Degree | Camden, NJ | $56,797 | $25,000 | -54% | Negative payoff |
| 95 | Rutgers University-New BrunswickBachelor's Degree | New Brunswick, NJ | $56,797 | $25,000 | -58% | Negative payoff |
| 96 | Rutgers University-NewarkBachelor's Degree | Newark, NJ | $56,797 | $25,000 | -54% | Negative payoff |
| 97 | University of Alaska AnchorageBachelor's Degree | Anchorage, AK | $56,698 | $31,750 | -52% | Negative payoff |
| 98 | San Diego State UniversityBachelor's Degree | San Diego, CA | $56,674 | $15,176 | -52% | Negative payoff |
| 99 | Saint Edward's UniversityBachelor's Degree | Austin, TX | $56,637 | $27,000 | -59% | Negative payoff |
| 100 | Coppin State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Baltimore, MD | $56,599 | $28,750 | -47% | Negative payoff |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.