Social Work at Colorado State University Pueblo

Colorado State Pueblo's social work program charges more than typical while delivering below-average results within Colorado. Though graduates earn slightly above the national median at $39,742, they trail the state median by roughly $1,200 and sit in just the 40th percentile among Colorado's five social work programs. Metropolitan State and Colorado Mesa both produce graduates earning $2,000-4,000 more annually while charging similar or lower debt loads.

The $28,785 median debt is relatively manageable—keeping the debt-to-earnings ratio at 0.72—but that's where the good news ends. Earnings growth over four years barely outpaces inflation at 6%, and starting in the high $30,000s makes loan repayment a long haul even with reasonable debt. For a field known for modest pay, every thousand dollars in starting salary matters significantly for long-term financial security.

If your child is committed to social work and Colorado residency, this program gets them credentialed but doesn't maximize their earning potential. The stronger in-state alternatives at Metro State and Colorado Mesa suggest you can find better value without leaving Colorado. The 100% admission rate means access isn't the issue—outcomes are.