Social Work at Point Loma Nazarene University

A social work bachelor's degree from Point Loma Nazarene comes with an estimated $30,000 in debt—substantially higher than the $17,259 median for California programs—while comparable programs across the state suggest first-year earnings around $38,000. That debt burden translates to a 0.79 ratio, meaning nearly 80 cents of debt for every dollar earned in that first year. For context, several California State University campuses produce social work graduates earning $43,000 or more, suggesting that institution choice matters significantly in this field even when outcomes are similar initially.

The debt gap is what demands attention here. While Point Loma's estimated earnings align closely with both state and national medians for social work programs, borrowing nearly twice what graduates at peer California institutions typically take on fundamentally changes the financial equation. Social work is a field with well-established earnings trajectories, and starting at $38,000 while carrying $30,000 in debt creates a tighter margin than necessary when lower-debt alternatives exist throughout California's public university system.

Before committing, compare this estimated debt load to actual reported figures from California public universities offering social work degrees. The earnings potential appears standard for the field, but the financing structure—if these estimates hold true—could make an already modestly-compensated career path considerably more challenging in those critical early years.