Analysis
Pittsburg State's social work program earns slightly above the national median but falls below most Kansas alternatives, ranking in just the 40th percentile statewide. New graduates earn $38,288—about $900 less than the Kansas median and roughly $4,000 behind the state's top programs at Fort Hays State and Kansas State. While the debt load of $27,000 is manageable at 0.71 times first-year earnings, earnings growth over four years is modest at 7%, reaching only $40,794.
The challenge here is that Kansas has strong social work programs, and this one doesn't stand out among them. Five other in-state options deliver higher starting salaries, and the earnings gap persists even after four years. For Kansas families, this matters—you could access comparable or better outcomes at several public universities across the state, potentially with lower tuition costs. That said, the small sample size means a handful of graduates could be skewing these numbers either direction.
If your child is drawn to Pittsburg State for location or community fit, the program won't burden them with excessive debt. But if career earnings matter and you have flexibility on location, Kansas State or Fort Hays State would give them a stronger financial foundation in the same field.
Where Pittsburg State University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all social work bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Pittsburg State 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburg State University | $38,288 | $40,794 | +7% |
| Washburn University | $37,908 | $45,074 | +19% |
| Kansas State University | $41,833 | $45,037 | +8% |
| University of Kansas | $40,032 | $44,136 | +10% |
| Fort Hays State University | $42,413 | $43,125 | +2% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Kansas
Social Work bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Kansas (10 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Pittsburg State UniversityPittsburg | $8,008 | $38,288 | $40,794 | $27,000 | 0.71 |
 Fort Hays State UniversityHays | $5,633 | $42,413 | $43,125 | $27,000 | 0.64 |
 Kansas State UniversityManhattan | $10,942 | $41,833 | $45,037 | $24,603 | 0.59 |
 University of KansasLawrence | $11,700 | $40,032 | $44,136 | $24,000 | 0.60 |
 Wichita State UniversityWichita | $9,322 | $38,256 | $39,305 | $31,000 | 0.81 |
 Washburn UniversityTopeka | $9,578 | $37,908 | $45,074 | $24,623 | 0.65 |
| 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 Pittsburg State University, approximately 32% 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 21 graduates with reported earnings and 45 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.