Est. Earnings (1yr)
$44,546
Est. from MN median (13 programs)
Median Debt
$27,000
2% above national median

Analysis

Based on comparable social work programs in Minnesota, Concordia graduates appear to track right with the state median—an estimated $44,546 in the first year, rising to $53,049 by year four. That four-year jump is encouraging and suggests the credential holds value beyond entry-level positions. At $27,000 in debt, borrowers would face payments around $300 monthly on a standard plan, consuming roughly 8% of that first-year income—manageable but not trivial.

What matters here is context: social work is a helping profession with modest but stable earnings nationwide. Concordia's estimated outcomes align closely with state peers like Saint Scholastica and Bethel, and the program performs well above the national median of $37,296. The debt load sits squarely at Minnesota's typical level for this degree, meaning families aren't paying a premium for Concordia's smaller campus environment.

The real question is career trajectory. That $8,500 earnings increase between years one and four suggests graduates find their footing, likely moving into specialized roles or clinical positions that require licensure. For a student drawn to social work specifically—not treating this as a fallback—the numbers work. The debt is reasonable for the field, and while no one enters social work expecting six figures, the stability and growth potential here look solid based on how similar Minnesota programs perform.

Where Concordia College at Moorhead Stands

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

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Concordia College at Moorhead—$53,049—
St Catherine University$44,257$55,686+26%
Bemidji State University$47,192$48,772+3%
Winona State University$44,546$48,600+9%
The College of Saint Scholastica$45,371$48,482+7%

Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota

Social Work bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (17 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Concordia College at MoorheadMoorhead$30,020$44,546*$53,049$27,000—
Metropolitan State UniversitySaint Paul$9,780$47,637*$47,860$29,6150.62
Bemidji State UniversityBemidji$10,164$47,192*$48,772$27,0000.57
Southwest Minnesota State UniversityMarshall$10,304$46,368*$44,189——
The College of Saint ScholasticaDuluth$40,454$45,371*$48,482$37,0590.82
Bethel UniversitySaint Paul$42,930$45,259*$45,919$25,0000.55
National Median—$37,296*—$26,3620.71
* Estimated from similar programs

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 Concordia College at Moorhead, approximately 20% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 13 similar programs in MN. Actual outcomes may vary.