Social Work bachelor's degree outcomes at Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC · Public · Federal field 4407

Data scope

Federal records group outcomes by college, four-digit field and credential level. A record may cover several catalog programs or concentrations.

The short version

Reported earnings are close to the same-degree benchmark.

$1,765 below the national median for the same field and credential.

Debt pressure: 51.7% of annual earnings
Positive-payoff price ceiling: Not reached
10-year scenario: −78% · Negative payoff
Price evidence: College-wide context only

OUTCOME SIGNALS

Graduate outcomes from several angles.

Follow earnings over time and inspect the cohort behind each federal measure.

+26%Earnings growth, year 1 → 5$36,727 → $46,183

69Earn above high-school thresholdGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

83Working in the college’s stateGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

99Year-5 earnings observationsCohort behind the year-5 median

100Borrowers representedCohort behind the debt median

$20,036Awarding-school debtDebt attributed to the college granting the credential

—Recent awardsIPEDS 2023–24 first-major completions in this field and credential

01 · PRICE CONTEXT$13,315

Institution-wide annual average net price—not this program’s price.

02 · BORROWING$25,857

Median federal debt across schools attended at this academic level.

03 · EARNINGS$50,025

Observed median earnings four full years after completion.

04 · REPAYMENT$274/mo

Estimated standard 10-year federal payment.

WHAT WILL IT COST?

Published college costs provide the starting point.

Your exact offering, aid, residency and time to finish determine the price you actually pay.

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AVERAGE NET PRICE$13,315Institution-wide annual figure

COST OF ATTENDANCE$19,992Institution-wide annual budget

ADMISSION RATE81.8%Institution context

COMPLETION RATE60.3%Institution-wide completion rate

WHAT DO GRADUATES EARN?

Reported earnings after completion.

Each point may represent a different federal cohort. A missing bar means the figure was unavailable or suppressed.

$36,727Year 1

$50,025Year 4

$46,183Year 5

CAN THE EARNINGS SUPPORT THE DEBT?

6.6% of gross monthly earnings

Estimated monthly payment divided by observed gross monthly earnings. This excludes taxes, other debts and income-driven repayment.

Gross monthly earnings$4,169

Estimated loan payment$274

100borrowers represented where reported

HOW DOES IT COMPARE?

$50,025 vs. $51,790

$1,765 below the national median for the same field and credential.

Same-field national median

WHAT WORK CAN IT LEAD TO?

Related occupations, wages and outlook.

Official CIP–SOC links show careers the curriculum may prepare students for—not observed jobs held by this school’s graduates. BLS wages describe everyone working in an occupation.

BLS May 2025 wage estimates and 2025–35 employment projections.

Social and Community Service Managers$79,590 median wageNC estimate · 4,970 jobs · 11-9151+7.2% projected U.S. growth · 18.5k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeChild, Family, and School Social Workers$59,610 median wageNC estimate · 13,010 jobs · 21-1021+4.4% projected U.S. growth · 33.9k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeSocial Work Teachers, Postsecondary$68,660 median wageNC estimate · 580 jobs · 25-1113+2.6% projected U.S. growth · 1.1k openings/yrTypical entry: Doctoral or professional degreeSocial Workers, All Other$63,490 median wageNC estimate · 1,670 jobs · 21-1029+2.3% projected U.S. growth · 5.8k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeHealthcare Social Workers$63,280 median wageNC estimate · 5,120 jobs · 21-1022+8.5% projected U.S. growth · 16.9k openings/yrTypical entry: Master's degreeMental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$58,210 median wageNC estimate · 3,690 jobs · 21-1023+10.3% projected U.S. growth · 12.5k openings/yrTypical entry: Master's degreeProbation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists$62,220 median wageNC estimate · 3,310 jobs · 21-1092+3.0% projected U.S. growth · 7.9k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeCounselors, All Other$52,280 median wageNC estimate · 28,580 jobs · 21-1019+5.9% projected U.S. growth · 4.3k openings/yrTypical entry: Master's degreeMarriage and Family Therapists$48,100 median wageNC estimate · 1,400 jobs · 21-1013+13.5% projected U.S. growth · 6.9k openings/yrTypical entry: Master's degree

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