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

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$36,299

Est. from PA median (12 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$27,000

Est. from PA median (7 programs)

Analysis

Based on peer programs in Pennsylvania, social work bachelor's degrees typically leave graduates with $27,000 in debt and first-year earnings around $36,300. That 0.74 debt-to-earnings ratio falls right at the threshold where financial advisors start to suggest caution—you're looking at roughly $300 monthly loan payments on an entry salary of about $3,000 a month before taxes.

Pennsylvania's social work market is tightly clustered, with most programs producing similar outcomes regardless of selectivity. The state's top performers—Pitt, Temple, La Salle—report earnings $1,500 to $4,500 higher than the typical graduate, which translates to meaningful breathing room when you're managing loan payments on a helping-profession salary. Saint Francis's $27,000 estimated debt matches the state median exactly, but without clarity on where their graduates land in that earnings range, you're essentially betting on the middle of the pack.

The practical challenge: social work careers often require master's degrees for advancement, meaning this bachelor's debt becomes the foundation of a potentially larger debt stack. If your child is committed to the field, compare Saint Francis's net cost after aid against Pennsylvania's public options like Shippensburg or Kutztown, which report actual outcomes near the state median. The credential matters less than the debt you carry into it.

Where Saint Francis University Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania

Social Work bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (33 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Saint Francis UniversityLoretto	$41,720	$36,299*	—	$27,000*	—
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPittsburgh	$21,524	$40,836*	$40,913	$22,000*	0.54
Temple UniversityPhiladelphia	$22,082	$39,055*	$46,307	$27,000*	0.69
La Salle UniversityPhiladelphia	$35,570	$37,453*	—	$33,206*	0.89
Shippensburg University of PennsylvaniaShippensburg	$13,544	$37,206*	$42,457	$26,982*	0.73
Kutztown University of PennsylvaniaKutztown	$11,230	$37,135*	$39,647	$26,624*	0.72
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 Francis University, approximately 18% 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 12 similar programs in PA. Actual outcomes may vary.