Analysis
Seton Hall's social work graduates earn nearly $48,000 in their first year—a remarkable $10,000 above the national median for this degree and well ahead of most competitors. While that places them in the 95th percentile nationally, context matters: they're at the 60th percentile within New Jersey, where social work salaries run higher across the board. They're earning more than the state median and holding their own against the Rutgers system, though the sample size here is quite small (under 30 graduates), so individual outcomes vary more than these numbers suggest.
The debt load of $25,721 is manageable, resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54—meaning graduates could theoretically pay off loans in about half their first year's salary. That's reasonable for a helping profession where earnings typically stay modest, though the near-flat growth to $48,702 after four years is worth noting. Social work rarely leads to dramatic salary increases without advanced credentials.
For families comfortable with the tuition investment and the small program size, this appears to position graduates competitively in New Jersey's social services market. The stronger-than-national earnings suggest Seton Hall's connections or curriculum may offer advantages, but prospective students should verify current class sizes and confirm these outcomes hold with more recent cohorts.
Where Seton Hall University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all social work bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Seton Hall University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seton Hall University | $47,734 | $48,702 | +2% |
| Ramapo College of New Jersey | $31,210 | $52,763 | +69% |
| Stockton University | $37,749 | $48,414 | +28% |
| Rutgers University-Camden | $39,936 | $46,912 | +17% |
| Rutgers University-New Brunswick | $39,936 | $46,912 | +17% |
Compare to Similar Programs in New Jersey
Social Work bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New Jersey (12 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Seton Hall UniversitySouth Orange | $51,370 | $47,734 | $48,702 | $25,721 | 0.54 |
 Rutgers University-CamdenCamden | $17,079 | $39,936 | $46,912 | $25,000 | 0.63 |
 Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew Brunswick | $17,239 | $39,936 | $46,912 | $25,000 | 0.63 |
 Rutgers University-NewarkNewark | $16,586 | $39,936 | $46,912 | $25,000 | 0.63 |
 Georgian Court UniversityLakewood | $37,110 | $38,530 | $46,868 | $23,000 | 0.60 |
 Stockton UniversityGalloway | $15,532 | $37,749 | $48,414 | $27,000 | 0.72 |
| National Median | — | $37,296 | — | $26,362 | 0.71 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with social work graduates
Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary
Social and Community Service Managers
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
Marriage and Family Therapists
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
Healthcare Social Workers
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
Social Workers, All Other
Counselors, All Other
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 Seton Hall University, approximately 30% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 16 graduates with reported earnings and 31 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.