Social Work at Highline College

In Washington, social work bachelor's programs typically produce first-year earnings around $40,000—slightly above the national median for this field—with graduates from comparable programs at Highline College likely to see similar outcomes. The estimated debt load of $17,400 is notably lower than the national median of $26,400 for social work programs, putting the debt-to-earnings ratio at 0.43. This means graduates would owe roughly five months' salary, which is manageable compared to many bachelor's programs where debt exceeds annual earnings.

What makes this picture more favorable is the context: social work is not a high-earning field at entry level, so keeping debt low matters enormously. The state's top programs—including both University of Washington campuses—show earnings in the $40,000-$41,000 range, suggesting there isn't a significant earning penalty for attending a community college that offers this degree. Social work careers often require master's degrees for advancement, which means minimizing undergraduate debt becomes even more important for students planning to continue their education.

For families considering this path, the estimated figures suggest a reasonable starting point—lower debt than peers nationally while maintaining competitive earnings for Washington. The key question is whether your student is committed to social work specifically, since the salary ceiling in this field requires accepting that financial rewards come from the work itself rather than the paycheck.