Analysis
Luther College's social work graduates start at $30,372—nearly $8,000 below Iowa's state median and ranking in just the 25th percentile among Iowa programs. Even after four years, when earnings reach $41,186, this still trails the starting salaries at Briar Cliff ($42,935) and Grand View ($40,736). For a program carrying $27,000 in debt at a private liberal arts college, these returns fall short of what families can find elsewhere in Iowa.
The 36% earnings growth over four years shows the field rewards experience, but starting so far behind means playing catch-up throughout your early career. While the debt load itself isn't extreme relative to national benchmarks, pairing $27,000 in loans with a $30,372 starting salary creates immediate financial pressure that peers at Iowa's public universities (University of Iowa, Northern Iowa) largely avoid with similar or better outcomes.
The small sample size here matters—fewer than 30 graduates means one or two atypical career paths could skew these numbers. However, Luther's position at the bottom quartile of Iowa social work programs is hard to ignore. If your child is set on social work and Luther specifically appeals for fit or culture, understand they'll likely need financial support beyond graduation or should pursue the MSW quickly to access better-paying clinical roles. Otherwise, Iowa offers several stronger value options in this field.
Where Luther College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all social work bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Luther College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luther College | $30,372 | $41,186 | +36% |
| New York University | $26,837 | $64,289 | +140% |
| University of Iowa | $39,285 | $46,843 | +19% |
| Mount Mercy University | $37,303 | $44,621 | +20% |
| University of Northern Iowa | $37,257 | $41,868 | +12% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Iowa
Social Work bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Iowa (14 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Luther CollegeDecorah | $50,320 | $30,372 | $41,186 | $27,000 | 0.89 |
 Briar Cliff UniversitySioux City | $35,534 | $42,935 | — | $37,564 | 0.87 |
 Grand View UniversityDes Moines | $33,450 | $40,736 | — | $25,837 | 0.63 |
 University of IowaIowa City | $10,964 | $39,285 | $46,843 | $25,180 | 0.64 |
 Mount Mercy UniversityCedar Rapids | $39,070 | $37,303 | $44,621 | $25,677 | 0.69 |
 University of Northern IowaCedar Falls | $9,728 | $37,257 | $41,868 | $22,847 | 0.61 |
| National Median | — | $37,296 | — | $26,362 | 0.71 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with social work graduates
Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary
Social and Community Service Managers
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
Marriage and Family Therapists
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
Healthcare Social Workers
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
Social Workers, All Other
Counselors, All Other
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Luther College, approximately 19% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 19 graduates with reported earnings and 23 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.