Social Work at Keuka College

Keuka College social work graduates earn more than 80% of their peers nationally, but they're paying nearly double the typical debt load to get there. At $40,593, the median debt exceeds what most social work programs charge by over $15,000—and that's before considering that CUNY schools across New York are producing graduates who earn similar or better salaries with dramatically less debt.

The earnings themselves are solid. First-year graduates make $40,642, outpacing New York's state median of $38,126, and that grows to nearly $47,000 by year four. Among New York's 31 social work programs, this ranks at the 60th percentile—respectable, but not exceptional. The challenge is cost: you're essentially paying private school tuition for outcomes that SUNY and CUNY schools deliver at public school prices. With 44% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are taking on significant debt for a helping profession that typically doesn't offer high starting salaries.

The 1.00 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly what they'll make in their first year—manageable compared to many private colleges, but concerning when free or cheaper alternatives exist in-state. If your child is committed to Keuka's campus environment or specific program features, the outcomes justify the investment better than most small private colleges. But if you're primarily focused on financial return, the CUNY system offers a much clearer path to the same career with far less debt burden.