Social Work at Brescia University

Brescia University's social work graduates earn slightly above the Kentucky median and rank in the 60th percentile statewide—a respectable position that puts them ahead of programs at larger schools like University of Kentucky and University of Louisville. The $43,165 four-year earnings figure shows steady progression in a field where early-career advancement can be limited.

The concern here is debt: at $49,254, graduates carry nearly double what's typical for Kentucky social work programs and far above the national median of $26,362. With first-year earnings of $37,841, that means borrowers face a debt burden 1.3 times their starting salary. For a helping profession with modest pay scales, this creates real financial pressure. Social workers often pursue graduate degrees for clinical licensure, and this undergraduate debt load would compound with additional borrowing.

The math works if your child can minimize borrowing through scholarships or family support—the earnings performance justifies the program academically. But at sticker price with full loans, the debt burden undermines an otherwise solid outcome. Before committing, compare your actual financial aid package against less expensive in-state options that produce similar graduate earnings.