Social Work at Morgan State University

Morgan State's social work graduates start at $39,059—about $1,400 above Maryland's median and ranking in the 60th percentile statewide. More impressive is what happens next: earnings jump 27% to $49,525 by year four, a growth trajectory that substantially outpaces most social work programs. This matters in a field where many graduates face flat earnings curves. The program outperforms several Maryland peers, including Salisbury and Bowie State, suggesting Morgan State is connecting students to better career advancement opportunities rather than just entry-level positions.

The debt picture requires attention. At $35,000, graduates carry roughly $9,000 more than the national median for social work programs and about $9,200 above Maryland's state average. That translates to a first-year debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.90, manageable but not comfortable for a service profession. Over half of Morgan State's students receive Pell grants, so this debt burden falls disproportionately on students from lower-income families who may have limited financial safety nets.

The investment calculates better when you factor in the strong earnings growth. By year four, those higher paychecks make the debt load more sustainable, particularly for graduates who advance into supervisory or clinical roles. For families committed to social work—and realistic about year-one budgets—Morgan State offers a viable path, especially if minimizing additional loans is possible.