Social Work at Cedarville University

Cedarville's social work graduates start around $2,000 below the Ohio median, landing near the 40th percentile among the state's 41 programs. That's a meaningful gap in a field where starting salaries are already modest, though the $19,500 in typical debt is notably lower than both state and national medians. The real concern is the small sample size—with fewer than 30 graduates reporting, a few outliers could significantly skew these numbers either direction.

The 25% earnings growth to $45,000 by year four offers some reassurance that graduates aren't stuck at entry-level wages, and the debt load remains manageable with a 0.54 ratio to first-year earnings. Still, when nearby programs like Capital University place graduates earning $44,000 from day one, it's worth asking whether Cedarville's particular approach to social work education—likely influenced by its Christian mission—aligns with your child's career goals and whether the initial earnings lag will matter for their specific path in the field.

Given the data limitations here, request placement information directly from Cedarville. Ask where recent graduates are working and whether the lower initial earnings reflect different employment sectors (like faith-based nonprofits) rather than weaker preparation. The manageable debt provides breathing room, but you need clearer evidence that this program connects students to opportunities that justify starting behind the state average.