Social Work at Capital University

Capital University's social work graduates earn significantly more than the national average—ranking in the 95th percentile nationally—but that success comes at a steep cost. While the $44,344 starting salary outpaces both the national median ($37,296) and Ohio's ($37,990), the $43,038 in debt approaches a 1:1 ratio with first-year earnings. That's substantially higher than typical debt loads for social work programs, where the national median is just $26,362.

The earnings picture within Ohio adds important nuance. At the 60th percentile statewide, Capital's outcomes are respectable but not exceptional—several public universities produce comparable earnings with much lower debt burdens. Bowling Green, for instance, shows similar salary outcomes at likely lower cost. More concerning is the flat earnings trajectory: graduates earn virtually the same amount four years out as they do initially, which limits their ability to pay down that above-average debt load quickly.

For families paying full private school tuition, this creates a challenging math problem. Social work is a rewarding but modestly-paid field, and starting your career with debt nearly equal to your annual salary will mean years of tight budgets. If your child is committed to this path, exploring Ohio's public universities could deliver similar career outcomes with substantially less financial stress.