Social Work at Southeastern University

Based on comparable Social Work programs across Florida, Southeastern's graduates likely earn around $36,400 in their first year—roughly in line with the state median but trailing the public universities that dominate this field in Florida. With $24,923 in debt, students here are borrowing slightly more than the state median of $21,875, though less than the national benchmark. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68 suggests manageable repayment, but the premium students pay over in-state options deserves scrutiny.

Florida's Social Work bachelor's programs cluster tightly in outcomes, with FIU graduates earning about $5,200 more in year one than what peer programs suggest for Southeastern. That gap matters when you're entering a helping profession where early salaries rarely exceed $40,000. The field itself offers modest financial returns nationally—this isn't unique to Southeastern—but the combination of private tuition and estimated earnings typical of the state median creates a narrow margin for error.

For families comparing options, the question is whether Southeastern's smaller environment justifies borrowing 14% more than students at comparable Florida programs. If your child is committed to Social Work and values this school's fit, the debt load won't derail them. But if finances are tight, the state's public universities offer similar outcomes with lower typical debt burdens—a significant advantage in a field where passion often outpaces paychecks.