Social Work at Calvin University

Calvin University's social work program starts graduates at $31,584—notably below both the state median of $37,858 and the national average. At the 25th percentile among Michigan social work programs, it trails state leaders like University of Michigan-Flint and Wayne State by $8,000-9,000 annually. The silver lining is strong earnings growth: graduates see a 40% increase by year four, reaching $44,349. That trajectory suggests the program may emphasize skills that take time to monetize in the field.

The debt picture is manageable, with $27,000 matching both state and national medians. A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.85 means graduates should be able to handle payments, though the first-year earnings of just under $32,000 will feel tight in practice. Social work typically requires passion over profit, but these early earnings are low even by the field's modest standards.

The small sample size here is critical—with fewer than 30 graduates reporting data, these numbers could swing significantly with just a few outliers. For families committed to Calvin's Christian mission and campus community, this program won't derail financial futures, but prospective students should understand they'll likely earn less initially than peers at nearby public universities while paying similar private school costs.