Social Work at Notre Dame College

Based on comparable social work programs in Ohio, this bachelor's degree appears to track right at the state median—estimated first-year earnings of $37,990 against roughly $27,337 in debt. That 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio sits in reasonable territory for a helping profession, though it's worth noting that several Ohio public universities with actual reported data show their social work graduates earning $2,000-$6,000 more in their first year.

The challenge here is twofold. First, social work is a field where master's degrees often unlock better-paying positions, so this bachelor's may represent just the first credential in a longer educational journey—and additional borrowing. Second, with nearly 40% of Notre Dame College students receiving Pell grants, many families will be stretching to cover even this moderate debt load on a $38,000 starting salary. Similar programs statewide suggest monthly loan payments around $300, which becomes a significant chunk of a social worker's entry-level paycheck.

For families considering this program, the real question is whether the estimated outcomes justify private college tuition when Ohio's public universities appear to be producing stronger starting salaries in this field. Without actual graduate data from Notre Dame College itself, you're essentially betting on peer program performance—a bet that looks shakier when schools like Capital and Bowling Green show measurably better results for their social work graduates.