Social Work at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Shippensburg's social work program hits slightly above the state median for earnings—60th percentile among Pennsylvania schools—though it's essentially at the national average. Starting at $37,206 and reaching $42,457 after four years represents solid growth for this field, where compensation rarely competes with business or STEM majors. The debt load of roughly $27,000 is typical for both the state and nationally, creating a manageable 0.73 debt-to-earnings ratio that graduates should be able to handle, though it won't allow for aggressive loan repayment.

The real question is whether social work's inherent salary limitations align with your child's career goals and financial expectations. This program won't produce the earnings of Pitt's social work graduates ($40,836), but it costs less to attend and serves students well relative to most Pennsylvania options. The 14% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests reasonable career progression, and the moderate debt burden won't derail financial independence.

For a student committed to social work—understanding it's a service-oriented field with modest compensation—this represents a reasonable path forward. The combination of manageable debt and slightly above-average state outcomes means graduates enter the profession without the crushing financial burden that could force them out of their chosen field.