Social Work at Delaware State University

Delaware State's social work graduates start at $33,413—about 10% below the national median—but the earnings trajectory tells a more optimistic story. By year four, median earnings jump to $47,219, a 41% increase that outpaces what most bachelor's-level social work programs deliver. With $25,000 in median debt, graduates face manageable loan burdens relative to their starting income.

The challenge with interpreting these numbers: Delaware State is the only school reporting social work data in the state, and the sample size is small (under 30 graduates). That 60th percentile state ranking is effectively meaningless when there's no real comparison group. The national 25th percentile ranking for starting earnings is more informative—it confirms graduates are launching below typical peer schools, though not dramatically so.

For families evaluating this program, the key question is whether that strong earnings growth trajectory will hold up with larger cohorts. The debt load is reasonable, and the 0.75 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests most graduates can manage repayment. But that rocky first year financially, combined with the limited data, means this program works best for students who have strong social work conviction and realistic expectations about starting salaries in helping professions.