Social Work at Missouri Southern State University

Missouri Southern's social work program produces first-year earnings of just $27,936—roughly $10,000 below the state median and nearly $10,000 below the national average. While the debt load of $26,000 is actually typical for the field, starting salaries this low create a challenging financial picture, even with a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio under 1.0. The program ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of bachelor's social work programs produce higher first-year earnings.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could fluctuate significantly year to year, but the gap between Missouri Southern and comparable programs is substantial. Graduates from University of Central Missouri earn $11,000 more right out of the gate, while even Missouri Western—the closest comparison—shows earnings $5,600 higher. For a field that typically requires graduate education for career advancement, starting this far behind the state median creates additional financial pressure.

If your child is committed to social work and needs an accessible entry point (97% admission rate), understand they'll likely face tighter finances initially than peers from other Missouri programs. The debt itself isn't excessive, but at these earnings levels, loan repayment will consume a larger share of monthly income. Consider whether a different Missouri program might offer better employment connections or whether graduate school costs need factoring into the financial equation sooner than expected.