Social Work at Frostburg State University

With a small sample size requiring caution, Frostburg State's social work program appears to offer reasonable value for Maryland students, with first-year earnings of $37,836 slightly outperforming both state and national medians. Among Maryland's 10 social work programs, this places graduates in the 60th percentile—respectable for a highly accessible institution with an 89% acceptance rate. The $26,000 debt load translates to a manageable 0.69 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe roughly eight months of their first-year salary.

The bigger question is whether social work itself makes financial sense. Starting near $38,000 for a helping profession that typically requires graduate education for career advancement is the industry reality, not a Frostburg-specific problem. This program positions students comparably to UMBC ($40,316) and Morgan State ($39,059) without the potential higher costs of more selective schools.

For families committed to social work, Frostburg delivers on-par results at a state school price point. The modest debt burden matters more here than in higher-earning fields—you don't want your child starting a service career underwater financially. Just remember these numbers reflect fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes may vary considerably. One advantage: a third of students receive Pell grants, suggesting the school understands its mission serves students who need affordable pathways into social services.