Social Work at Barry University

Barry University's Social Work bachelor's costs students $30,675 in debt—substantially more than the state median of $21,875 and above the national median of $26,362. Similar programs across Florida suggest first-year earnings around $36,400, which puts this debt load at a manageable but not ideal 0.84 ratio. Nearly half the student body receives Pell grants, meaning many families here are borrowing to access a helping profession that doesn't command high starting salaries.

The comparison to Florida's public universities is instructive. Florida International and Florida Atlantic graduates in Social Work earn $39,000-$42,000 in their first year—likely reflecting Miami's higher cost of living and these schools' stronger connections to local agencies. Barry's estimated earnings fall closer to mid-tier public programs, yet the debt burden resembles what you'd expect at a private institution. For a field where licensure matters more than institutional prestige, that $9,000 gap between Barry's debt and the Florida median represents real money when you're making $3,000 monthly before taxes.

Social Work is a stable career with clear advancement paths, but it requires patience—salaries typically grow with clinical licensure and years of experience. If your child is committed to this field and Barry offers specific supports (field placement networks, licensing exam prep) that justify the premium, the debt is workable. Otherwise, Florida's public universities deliver comparable preparation at significantly lower cost.