Social Work at Lourdes University

A debt load around $27,000 against first-year earnings near $38,000 creates a manageable 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio—roughly in line with what similar Ohio social work programs produce. Based on comparable programs across the state, graduates typically start just below the national median for social work degrees, with fourth-year earnings climbing to about $40,200. That modest growth trajectory is characteristic of the field, where advancement often requires additional credentials like an MSW rather than just time in the profession.

What's uncertain here is whether Lourdes specifically matches these state-level patterns. The estimated figures come from peer programs in Ohio, and the actual top performers in the state—Capital University at $44,344, Bowling Green at $40,959—show that outcomes can vary significantly even within the same field and geography. The school's 74% admission rate and moderate Pell enrollment suggest it serves a broad student population, but without program-specific data, you can't know if its social work graduates hit these benchmarks or fall short.

The practical question is whether you're comfortable making a decision based on statewide averages rather than verified outcomes from this specific program. If your child is committed to social work as a calling, the debt level is reasonable enough. But request completion rates and job placement data directly from Lourdes to fill in what the federal data can't tell you.