Analysis
Nebraska Wesleyan's social work graduates start at $40,080—beating the national median by nearly $3,000 and landing in the 77th percentile nationally. Within Nebraska, they're earning more than graduates from both UN-Kearney and UN-Omaha, placing them at the 60th percentile statewide. The trajectory looks even better: earnings jump 25% to nearly $50,000 by year four, suggesting graduates are moving into better-paying positions as they gain experience and potentially pursue clinical licensure.
The debt picture requires more scrutiny. At $34,750, graduates carry about $10,000 more than the state median and $8,000 above the national average for social work programs. However, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.87 remains manageable—graduates owe less than one year's starting salary. Given social work's inherently modest pay scale, this is a reasonable trade-off for a program that demonstrably outperforms most alternatives.
One caveat: the sample size is small, meaning these numbers could shift with different cohorts. But the combination of above-average starting salaries, strong earnings growth, and manageable debt makes this program competitive for Nebraska students committed to social work. The real question is whether your child is prepared for the financial realities of this career path, regardless of where they study.
Where Nebraska Wesleyan University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all social work bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Nebraska Wesleyan University 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Wesleyan University | $40,080 | $49,895 | +24% |
| New York University | $26,837 | $64,289 | +140% |
| University of Nevada-Reno | $40,530 | $63,320 | +56% |
| University of Nebraska at Omaha | $37,404 | $40,596 | +9% |
| University of Nebraska at Kearney | $39,218 | $39,649 | +1% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Nebraska
Social Work bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Nebraska (7 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Nebraska Wesleyan UniversityLincoln | $41,658 | $40,080 | $49,895 | $34,750 | 0.87 |
 University of Nebraska at KearneyKearney | $8,302 | $39,218 | $39,649 | $24,000 | 0.61 |
 University of Nebraska at OmahaOmaha | $8,370 | $37,404 | $40,596 | $19,930 | 0.53 |
| 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 Nebraska Wesleyan University, approximately 30% 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 28 graduates with reported earnings and 38 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.