Social Work at Salve Regina University

The $27,000 debt load here tracks closely with both national and Rhode Island norms for bachelor's-level social work programs, landing right at the median. What's harder to assess is whether Salve Regina's outcomes justify choosing it over Rhode Island College, which reports actual earnings of $33,561—about $4,000 less than what peer programs nationally suggest graduates might earn. That gap could reflect Rhode Island's generally lower social work salaries, or it could mean the national estimate overstates what Salve Regina graduates actually make in this field.

The 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio falls in workable territory for social work, a notoriously underpaid but stable profession. Still, families should recognize they're paying private university prices ($27,000 in debt versus Rhode Island College's typical outcomes) without clear evidence of a return premium. Social work salaries are largely determined by state funding, licensing requirements, and agency budgets—not where you earned your BSW. The 70% admission rate and modest Pell enrollment suggest Salve Regina serves a more affluent student body, which matters when the profession itself demands financial sacrifice.

If your child is committed to social work and Salve Regina offers something specific—campus culture, location, or support services—that Rhode Island College doesn't, the debt is manageable. But absent that compelling reason, the safer bet is the program with known outcomes and likely lower cost.