Social Work (Bachelor's Degree) at Colorado Mesa University

Median Earnings (1yr)

$42,254

91st percentile

Median Debt

$25,000

5% below national median

Analysis

Colorado Mesa's social work program punches well above its weight nationally—ranking in the 91st percentile for graduate earnings—but the numbers need an asterisk. With fewer than 30 graduates in the dataset, these figures could swing significantly with even a few high or low earners. Still, $42,254 represents a meaningful premium over both the national median ($37,296) and Colorado's median ($40,998), putting graduates within striking distance of the state's top program at Metro State Denver.

The $25,000 debt load sits slightly below state and national averages, yielding a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59—meaning graduates carry about seven months of first-year income in student loans. For social work, a notoriously modest-paying field, this represents a reasonable financial bargain. The concern is sustainability: Colorado Mesa's open-access mission (81% admission rate) means outcomes can vary widely depending on the cohort.

If your child is committed to social work and wants to stay in Colorado, this program offers competitive preparation at a lower cost than CSU-Fort Collins. Just understand that the impressive earnings figure may not hold steady as more data comes in. Visit campus, talk to current students, and verify that recent graduates are actually landing the types of positions that justify these numbers.

Where Colorado Mesa University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all social work bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Colorado Mesa University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Colorado

Social Work bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Colorado (5 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Colorado Mesa UniversityGrand Junction	$9,712	$42,254	—	$25,000	0.59
Metropolitan State University of DenverDenver	$10,780	$44,015	$50,031	$29,578	0.67
Colorado State University PuebloPueblo	$9,401	$39,742	$41,939	$28,785	0.72
Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort Collins	$12,896	$38,134	$45,631	$23,387	0.61
National Median	—	$37,296	—	$26,362	0.71

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with social work graduates

Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in social work. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Social and Community Service Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization. Oversee the program or organization's budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements, and benefits. Work may involve directing social workers, counselors, or probation officers.

$78,240/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

Provide social services to assist in rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole. Make recommendations for actions involving formulation of rehabilitation plan and treatment of offender, including conditional release and education and employment stipulations.

$64,520/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Marriage and Family Therapists

Diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of marriage and family systems. Apply psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of treating such diagnosed nervous and mental disorders.

$63,780/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. May assist parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. May also advise teachers.

$61,330/yrJobs growth:

Healthcare Social Workers

Provide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. Services include advising family caregivers. Provide patients with information and counseling, and make referrals for other services. May also provide case and care management or interventions designed to promote health, prevent disease, and address barriers to access to healthcare.

$61,330/yrJobs growth:

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs. Activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education.

$61,330/yrJobs growth:

Social Workers, All Other

All social workers not listed separately.

$61,330/yrJobs growth:

Counselors, All Other

All counselors not listed separately.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Colorado Mesa University, approximately 27% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 22 graduates with reported earnings and 31 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.