Social Work at East Tennessee State University

East Tennessee State's Social Work program lands squarely in the middle tier among Tennessee options, with first-year earnings of $32,514 placing it slightly below the state median of $34,380. While this trails top performers like Union University by about $5,500 annually, the lower debt load of $23,000—roughly $2,600 less than the Tennessee median—helps offset the earnings gap. The 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe about 8.5 months of their first-year salary, a reasonable starting point for a helping profession where pay typically grows with experience and credentialing.

The 17% earnings growth to $38,105 by year four is encouraging and reflects the typical career trajectory in social work, where master's degrees, clinical licenses, and experience boost earning potential. At the four-year mark, ETSU graduates actually surpass the national first-year median for the field. For families choosing between Tennessee programs, ETSU offers a notably more affordable path than UT-Knoxville or Union while maintaining competitive outcomes—a meaningful advantage given that 35% of students receive Pell grants.

The value proposition here is straightforward: if your student is committed to social work and cost-conscious about debt, ETSU delivers solid preparation without the financial burden of pricier alternatives. The earnings won't be impressive initially, but they're consistent with the profession's reality, and the manageable debt makes it feasible to pursue graduate education or work in lower-paying but mission-driven roles.