Social Work at Southeastern Louisiana University

Southeastern Louisiana's social work program starts graduates at just $26,388—well below both Louisiana's $28,342 state median and the national average of $37,296. That initial earning power lands in the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of social work programs across the country produce higher first-year earnings. However, there's a significant upside: by year four, earnings jump 58% to nearly $42,000, outpacing both state and national norms. This suggests the degree opens doors to career advancement that takes time to materialize.

The debt load of $29,072 is reasonable compared to national standards (24th percentile), creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.10 that, while tight in year one, becomes manageable as salaries climb. Within Louisiana, this program sits at the 40th percentile—middle of the pack among the state's 10 social work programs. If your child is Louisiana-focused and passionate about social work, Northwestern State delivers notably better initial outcomes, though Southeastern's strong earnings growth narrows that gap over time.

The key question is whether your child can navigate those lean first years. Social work rarely offers high starting pay anywhere, but this program's trajectory suggests it can lead to stable mid-career earnings. Just ensure you have a realistic plan for managing that first year on $26,000—possibly living at home or supplementing with part-time work.