Social Work (Bachelor's Degree) at Saint Ambrose University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$38,294

Est. from IA median (6 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$27,000

Est. from IA median (5 programs)

Analysis

In Iowa's competitive social work landscape, Saint Ambrose appears positioned in the middle of the pack. Based on comparable bachelor's programs across the state, graduates here can expect to earn around $38,000 in their first year—slightly above the national median for social work but trailing schools like Briar Cliff and Grand View by several thousand dollars. With estimated debt of $27,000, the 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio falls within manageable territory for a helping profession known for modest starting salaries.

The challenge is that social work careers rarely deliver dramatic earnings growth, and starting behind peers at other Iowa schools means that gap may persist. Programs at Briar Cliff produce first-year earnings nearly $5,000 higher with similar debt loads, suggesting that choice of school matters even within the same profession and state. For families prioritizing financial outcomes, those differences compound over time in a field where every dollar counts.

Saint Ambrose offers a solid path into social work without creating an overwhelming debt burden, but it's not the value leader among Iowa programs. If your child is committed to this career, compare what you'd pay here versus schools producing stronger early earnings—the difference in financial aid packages could easily outweigh the earnings gap, or widen it further.

Where Saint Ambrose University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all social work bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Iowa

Social Work bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Iowa (14 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Saint Ambrose UniversityDavenport	$35,598	$38,294*	—	$27,000*	—
Briar Cliff UniversitySioux City	$35,534	$42,935*	—	$37,564*	0.87
Grand View UniversityDes Moines	$33,450	$40,736*	—	$25,837*	0.63
University of IowaIowa City	$10,964	$39,285*	$46,843	$25,180*	0.64
Mount Mercy UniversityCedar Rapids	$39,070	$37,303*	$44,621	$25,677*	0.69
University of Northern IowaCedar Falls	$9,728	$37,257*	$41,868	$22,847*	0.61
National Median	—	$37,296*	—	$26,362*	0.71

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with social work graduates

Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in social work. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Social and Community Service Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization. Oversee the program or organization's budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements, and benefits. Work may involve directing social workers, counselors, or probation officers.

$78,240/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

Provide social services to assist in rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole. Make recommendations for actions involving formulation of rehabilitation plan and treatment of offender, including conditional release and education and employment stipulations.

$64,520/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Marriage and Family Therapists

Diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of marriage and family systems. Apply psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of treating such diagnosed nervous and mental disorders.

$63,780/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. May assist parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. May also advise teachers.

$61,330/yrJobs growth:

Healthcare Social Workers

Provide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. Services include advising family caregivers. Provide patients with information and counseling, and make referrals for other services. May also provide case and care management or interventions designed to promote health, prevent disease, and address barriers to access to healthcare.

$61,330/yrJobs growth:

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs. Activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education.

$61,330/yrJobs growth:

Social Workers, All Other

All social workers not listed separately.

$61,330/yrJobs growth:

Counselors, All Other

All counselors not listed separately.

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 Saint Ambrose University, approximately 28% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 6 similar programs in IA. Actual outcomes may vary.