Social Work at Saint Martin's University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67 looks manageable on paper—based on comparable Bachelor's-level Social Work programs, Saint Martin's graduates likely borrow around $27,000 and earn roughly $40,000 their first year out. That's substantially below the national median debt for this field ($26,362), and earnings align with what similar Washington programs produce. By year four, earnings reach $50,204, suggesting steady progression in a field where advancement typically requires additional credentials.

The challenge surfaces when you look at Washington's state landscape more closely. Other social work programs in the state report median debt closer to $17,400—nearly $10,000 less than what these estimates suggest for Saint Martin's. Since the university serves a significant Pell-eligible population (40%), that additional debt matters considerably for families already stretching budgets. Public options like Eastern Washington and the UW campuses deliver comparable first-year outcomes with likely lower overall costs.

If your child is committed to social work and values Saint Martin's smaller, faith-centered environment, the estimated debt level isn't catastrophic—it's in line with national norms. But given Washington's public alternatives and the field's modest starting salaries, scrutinize the actual financial aid package carefully. Request information about how the school's social work graduates specifically perform in terms of job placement and debt, beyond these peer-derived estimates, before committing.