Social Work at Iowa Central Community College

The numbers here tell two conflicting stories. Iowa Central's social work graduates start at just $25,197—below the national median—but they're actually performing at the 60th percentile for Iowa, where social work wages are surprisingly low. That earnings figure climbs to $31,099 by year four, crossing the national average for this degree, which suggests graduates either secure better positions or gain valuable experience over time.

The real concern is the debt: at $29,500, it's nearly 75% higher than what social work associate degree graduates typically borrow nationwide. Combined with those first-year earnings, graduates face more than a full year's salary in debt—a tough start for a helping profession not known for high wages. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could swing considerably year to year, making it harder to predict your child's outcome.

If your child is committed to social work and staying in Iowa, this program offers a path into the field with competitive in-state outcomes. But the debt load is genuinely problematic for these salary levels. Consider whether your child could minimize borrowing through family support, Pell grants, or part-time work. Without reducing that debt burden, they'll likely spend years paying off a two-year degree on a social worker's salary—a financial stress that could affect their ability to stay in a career they chose to help others.