Social Work at Austin Peay State University

Austin Peay's social work program costs less than comparable Tennessee programs but produces middle-of-the-pack earnings—a trade-off that ultimately works in students' favor given the field's modest pay scale. At the 60th percentile among Tennessee social work programs, graduates here earn essentially the state median of $34,380, with manageable debt around $26,000. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.76 means graduates owe less than 10 months of their first-year salary, which is reasonable for a helping profession where no one expects six-figure returns.

The downside is clear in the national comparison: these graduates earn about $3,000 less than the national median and nearly flat earnings growth over four years suggests limited advancement without additional credentials. Top Tennessee programs like Union and UT-Knoxville produce graduates earning $3,000-$4,000 more annually, which compounds meaningfully over a career. However, Austin Peay serves a predominantly working-class student body (46% receive Pell grants), and for students who need an accessible path into social work, the program delivers credentials without crushing debt.

For families focused purely on financial outcomes, the plateau after year one signals this is a stepping stone, not a destination—most social workers need a master's degree for clinical roles and higher pay. But if your child is committed to social work and needs an affordable undergraduate foundation, Austin Peay provides exactly that without the debt burden that could later complicate graduate school financing.