Social Work (Bachelor's Degree) at CUNY Hunter College

Median Earnings (1yr)

$42,227

91st percentile

60th percentile in New York

Median Debt

$9,608

64% below national median

Analysis

CUNY Hunter College's social work program delivers an unusually strong combination: graduates earn $42,227 in their first year—well above the national median of $37,296—while carrying just $9,608 in debt. That's less than three months of salary, compared to the national average of eight months. With 55% of students on Pell grants, this represents genuine social mobility at an accessible price point.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift, but the pattern is clear. Hunter ranks in the 91st percentile nationally for earnings, and its debt load is in the 95th percentile for affordability. Within New York, the earnings picture is more moderate—60th percentile among state programs—but consider that Hunter's debt is roughly one-third of the $25,000 state median. Several other CUNY campuses (York, Medgar Evers, Lehman) report marginally higher earnings, though none combine Hunter's salary level with such minimal debt.

For families concerned about educational ROI in a helping profession known for modest pay, this is about as favorable as it gets. Your child would enter a demanding but meaningful field without the burden of substantial loans, graduating from a selective CUNY campus (54% admission rate, 1350 average SAT) that clearly knows how to place social work graduates effectively.

Where CUNY Hunter College Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How CUNY Hunter College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in New York

Social Work bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (31 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
CUNY Hunter CollegeNew York	$7,382	$42,227	—	$9,608	0.23
CUNY York CollegeJamaica	$7,358	$44,742	$58,778	$9,500	0.21
CUNY Medgar Evers CollegeBrooklyn	$7,352	$44,311	—	$15,096	0.34
CUNY Lehman CollegeBronx	$7,410	$42,300	$50,858	$12,690	0.30
Keuka CollegeKeuka Park	$38,000	$40,642	$46,999	$40,593	1.00
SUNY Buffalo State UniversityBuffalo	$8,486	$39,695	$42,984	$23,312	0.59
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 CUNY Hunter College, approximately 55% 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 16 graduates with reported earnings and 24 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.