Social Work at Florida Gulf Coast University

Florida Gulf Coast produces social work graduates who earn slightly less than the national median initially but land squarely at the middle of Florida's pack—exactly matching the state median of $36,407. More importantly, students here graduate with just $18,837 in debt, roughly $3,000 below the state average and nearly $8,000 less than the national typical burden. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 means graduates can realistically manage payments even on entry-level nonprofit salaries.

The earnings trajectory looks solid: a 19% jump to $43,345 by year four suggests graduates are finding advancement opportunities or moving into better-paying positions within the field. While FGCU doesn't match the top Florida programs like FIU ($41,626) or FAU ($39,912), it sits comfortably in the middle tier. The real advantage here is graduating with manageable debt rather than chasing slightly higher starting salaries elsewhere while taking on thousands more in loans.

For families concerned about the financial realities of a helping profession, this program gets the balance right. Your child won't be among the highest earners in Florida social work, but they'll start their career without crushing debt—a meaningful advantage in a field where passion often matters more than peak earnings potential.