Social Work at Gordon College

Gordon College's social work program shows earnings well below both state and national benchmarks, with first-year graduates earning about $30,400—roughly $10,000 less than the Massachusetts median for this field and $7,000 below the national average. Among the 14 Massachusetts schools offering social work degrees, this program ranks in the bottom quarter. Graduates from Salem State and UMass-Boston, for comparison, earn about 50% more in their first year. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.86, graduates are borrowing nearly a full year's salary, which can make loan repayment challenging on entry-level social work salaries.

The earnings trajectory does improve meaningfully—jumping 27% to $38,400 by year four—but even this growth only brings graduates closer to what peers at other Massachusetts schools earn right out of college. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could swing considerably year to year, but the gap to other programs is substantial enough to warrant attention.

For a family weighing this $26,250 investment, the math is tough: your student would likely earn significantly more with a social work degree from a Massachusetts state school, often at lower cost. If Gordon is the right cultural or academic fit for other reasons, understand you're paying a premium that won't be reflected in early career earnings.