Social Work at Purdue University Global

Purdue Global's social work graduates earn slightly above typical for the field—$38,324 puts them around the 60th percentile both nationally and within Indiana. That's competitive with traditional state universities like Ball State. The challenge is entirely on the debt side.

At $53,229 in median debt, this program carries roughly double the borrowing of other Indiana social work programs, which typically see around $27,000. This places Purdue Global in the bottom 5% nationally for debt levels—meaning 95% of social work programs nationwide saddle graduates with less debt. For context, a graduate here owes more than someone who attended Indiana University-Bloomington while earning less. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.39 means graduates start their careers owing about 17 months' worth of gross salary, which will strain budgets in a field where advancement is gradual.

The robust sample size (100+ graduates) makes these numbers reliable, not outliers. For a family considering this program: if your student can access an in-state public option like IU or Ball State, the $25,000+ in debt savings would make an enormous difference in a social work career. Purdue Global's online format may offer flexibility worth paying for in specific circumstances, but that flexibility comes at a steep financial cost in a profession where every dollar of debt matters.