Social Work at Greenville University

Social work programs in Illinois cluster tightly around the $38,000-$39,000 starting salary mark, and this program's estimated outcomes place it right in the middle of that pack. Based on comparable programs in Illinois, graduates likely earn around $38,382 in their first year—essentially matching both state and national medians for the field. The estimated $27,000 debt load is also typical for Illinois social work degrees, resulting in a manageable 0.70 debt-to-earnings ratio. That means borrowers would owe roughly 70 cents for every dollar of first-year income, which is workable though not exceptional.

The challenge is that without actual reported data for Greenville's program specifically, you're making a decision based on state averages rather than verified outcomes. The top-performing Illinois programs—places like Governors State and Millikin—report earnings $3,000-$6,000 higher, suggesting that program quality and connections matter in this field. Given Greenville's 95% admission rate and the fact that 38% of students receive Pell grants, it's worth considering whether the school's support systems and professional networks match those at universities with documented stronger outcomes.

If your child is committed to social work and Greenville offers the right fit otherwise, these estimated numbers suggest a reasonable financial foundation. But push for specifics: employment rates, field placement sites, and whether graduates land jobs in settings that pay above the baseline BSW salary.