Social Work at Augsburg University

Augsburg graduates Social Work majors earning nearly $6,000 above the national median—a genuinely strong showing that puts them in the 95th percentile nationwide. But here's what complicates the picture: within Minnesota, where most of these graduates likely stay, the program lands squarely in the middle at the 40th percentile. Several state schools, including Metropolitan State and Bemidji State, produce graduates earning $3,500-$4,300 more annually. The $25,737 in median debt is reasonable for a bachelor's degree, though that translates to a higher debt-to-earnings ratio than ideal when paired with social work salaries in the mid-$40s.

The earnings trajectory deserves attention. Four years out, graduates are actually earning slightly less than they did immediately after graduation—a 4% decline that's unusual and concerning, though the small sample size (under 30 graduates tracked) means a few individuals can skew the data significantly. In social work, where licensing requirements and specialization typically drive salary increases, this backward movement warrants explanation.

For families paying private tuition at Augsburg, the calculus is tricky. Your child will likely earn more than most social work graduates nationally, but potentially less than peers at nearby public universities with lower tuition. The program serves its students well by national standards, but if staying in Minnesota is the plan, investigate why other state programs show stronger in-state earnings outcomes.