Social Work at Eastern Connecticut State University

Eastern Connecticut State's social work program shows earnings that start well below average but catch up significantly over time. That first-year figure of $29,471 ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally—substantially lower than the national median of $37,296. However, the 71% earnings jump to $50,362 by year four suggests graduates may be securing better positions or additional credentials after initial entry-level work. The $22,325 debt load is manageable relative to these later earnings, creating a debt-to-income ratio of 0.76 that improves considerably as careers progress.

Within Connecticut, this program sits in the middle of the pack—better than half of in-state options despite the weak national showing. The state's median of $33,448 still exceeds Eastern's first-year outcomes, but Eastern's four-year figure eventually surpasses all the comparison schools listed. This pattern raises questions about why graduates start so far behind their peers, even locally.

The small sample size here matters: with fewer than 30 graduates in the data, a few outliers could skew these figures significantly. If your child is considering this path, the eventual earnings are respectable, but that difficult first year—earning $8,000 less than the typical Connecticut social work graduate—could create real financial stress right when loan payments begin. The program might work if your family can provide support through that initial period, but stronger alternatives exist at nearby Connecticut state universities.