Social Work at Boise State University

Boise State's social work program produces graduates who earn $5,800 more than the typical Idaho social work graduate—a meaningful premium in a field not known for high salaries. Starting at $40,126 and climbing to $45,803 by year four, these numbers place graduates in the 78th percentile nationally and 60th percentile statewide, solidly outperforming the national median of $37,296.

The debt picture strengthens the case: at $28,350, graduates carry just slightly more than the national median, resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.71. This means a Boise State social work grad would need roughly eight and a half months of gross income to cover their debt—manageable for a helping profession. The program costs about $1,100 more than other Idaho options but delivers substantially better outcomes than Idaho State ($33,181) or BYU-Idaho ($29,355).

For parents concerned about their child's career in social services, this represents a realistic pathway. Your graduate won't get rich, but they'll earn a living wage that grows steadily and won't be crushed by debt. The 14% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests career progression rather than stagnation, which matters in a field where burnout is common.