Social Work at Governors State University
Master's Degree
Earnings Distribution
How Governors State University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Governors State University graduates earn $52k, placing them in the 56th percentile of all social work masters programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois
Social Work masters's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (17 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Governors State University | $52,231 | $51,516 | — | — |
| Dominican University | $52,605 | $54,752 | — | — |
| University of Chicago | $52,551 | $61,154 | — | — |
| Loyola University Chicago | $51,834 | $56,126 | — | — |
| University of Illinois Chicago | $51,727 | $55,341 | — | — |
| DePaul University | $51,689 | $58,889 | — | — |
| National Median | $51,351 | — | — | — |
Other Social Work Programs in Illinois
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Illinois schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dominican University River Forest | $37,844 | $52,605 | — |
| University of Chicago Chicago | $66,939 | $52,551 | — |
| Loyola University Chicago Chicago | $51,716 | $51,834 | — |
| University of Illinois Chicago Chicago | $14,338 | $51,727 | — |
| DePaul University Chicago | $44,460 | $51,689 | — |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Governors State University, approximately 52% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.