Social Work at Nazareth University

Nazareth's social work program places graduates exactly at New York's median first-year earnings of $38,126, which might seem unremarkable—except that the state's top programs are nearly all CUNY schools charging far lower tuition. With $26,250 in debt at graduation, students here are borrowing close to the state median while earning middle-of-the-pack salaries. The 26% earnings growth over four years brings graduates to $47,905, which is solid progression for the field, though it takes time to offset that initial debt burden.

The real question is whether the private school experience justifies the cost when CUNY options consistently produce graduates earning $4,000-$6,000 more right out of the gate with less debt. Nazareth performs fine against the national average, landing in the 59th percentile, but in the New York context—where public universities dominate the top spots—paying private school tuition for median outcomes requires careful consideration. That said, the small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could swing significantly with more data.

For families committed to a private college environment in Rochester, this program delivers predictable social work outcomes. But if cost is the primary concern, the CUNY data suggests there are more financially efficient paths to the same credential.