Social Work at Millikin University

Millikin's social work program stands out nationally, placing graduates in the 86th percentile for earnings—well above both the national median of $37,296 and Illinois's median of $38,382. First-year earnings of $41,543 put this program ahead of all but one social work program in Illinois, trailing only Governors State. That's a meaningful advantage for a field where starting salaries typically cluster tightly. The $27,000 debt load sits near both national and state medians, creating a manageable 0.65 debt-to-earnings ratio that compares favorably to many social work programs.

The steady earnings growth to $47,124 by year four suggests graduates are advancing into better-paying positions, though this could reflect movement into administration or specialized roles rather than typical frontline social work trajectories. One important caveat: these numbers come from a small sample of fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary considerably from these medians.

For parents weighing the investment, Millikin appears to deliver strong value in a field not known for high pay. Your child would be earning more than most social work graduates right out of the gate, with debt that shouldn't overwhelm those earnings. Just recognize that the small program size means less certainty in the data—talk to current students and recent graduates to confirm these outcomes hold.