Social Work at Lubbock Christian University

Lubbock Christian's social work program carries unusually high debt for below-average starting pay, creating a challenging financial picture that improves considerably—but only with time. Graduates leave with $36,750 in debt while earning just under $33,000 initially, which means they're borrowing more than a full year's salary. That debt load ranks in the 95th percentile nationally for social work programs, while first-year earnings sit in the 23rd percentile. Within Texas, the program performs at the state median for earnings but with significantly more debt than typical in-state alternatives like Texas Woman's University or Midwestern State, which offer similar career outcomes with roughly $10,000 less debt.

The significant caveat here: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances heavily influence these numbers. The 50% earnings growth by year four suggests graduates eventually reach solid mid-career salaries around $49,000, but those early years will be tight when loan payments kick in. For a field like social work—known for modest but stable pay—taking on debt exceeding your first year's salary creates real strain during the loan repayment period.

If your child is committed to social work and specifically drawn to Lubbock Christian's mission, understand they'll need a clear plan for managing that debt burden. Otherwise, exploring the public university options in Texas would put them in a similar career position with thousands less to repay.