Social Work at Graceland University-Lamoni

Based on comparable social work programs in Iowa, Graceland's estimated debt load of $27,000 appears reasonable for a bachelor's degree, landing just above the state median. The estimated first-year earnings of $38,294 match Iowa's typical outcomes for social work graduates and sit slightly above the national benchmark of $37,296. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.71 suggests manageable repayment, though social work remains a field where financial comfort requires careful budgeting rather than rapid debt payoff.

The challenge here is the uncertainty. With 45% of students receiving Pell grants, Graceland serves many families who can't afford surprises. While peer programs in Iowa show a relatively tight earnings range—most cluster between $37,000 and $43,000—there's still meaningful variation. Programs like Briar Cliff University report outcomes about $4,600 higher than the state median, which could represent nearly two months of additional income annually. Without knowing where Graceland's actual graduates land within this range, you're making assumptions about post-graduation employment networks, field placement quality, and local job market connections.

For families considering this program, the estimated numbers suggest typical outcomes for Iowa social work graduates—neither a red flag nor a standout opportunity. But given the limited data, you should directly ask the school about graduate employment rates, average starting salaries for recent alumni, and connections to social service agencies in the region before committing.