Social Work at Simmons University

The first year after graduation looks rough—$34,496 puts Simmons below most Massachusetts social work programs, including several state schools that cost considerably less. Salem State and UMass Boston graduates earn about $10,000 more right out of the gate, which matters when you're carrying $27,000 in debt.

The redemption story comes in years 2-4, where earnings jump 69% to $58,336. This suggests Simmons graduates may be accessing better-credentialed positions or moving into clinical social work roles faster than peers elsewhere. Still, that strong growth trajectory hasn't been enough to crack the top tier in Massachusetts—this program sits around the 40th percentile statewide. The relatively small sample size (under 30 graduates) means a few outliers could be skewing these numbers in either direction.

For a family paying private school tuition, these outcomes warrant real scrutiny. The debt load itself is manageable at 0.78 times first-year earnings, but you're essentially betting on that mid-career growth to justify the investment. If your child can get into UMass Boston or another state school with a stronger track record, that's probably the smarter financial play. Choose Simmons for its network or mission fit, not because the numbers make a compelling case.