Social Work at Southern University and A & M College

Southern University's social work program sits in an unusual position: it ranks near the bottom nationally (5th percentile) but actually performs above Louisiana's median for this field. That state comparison matters more than it might seem—at $28,342, Louisiana's median earnings for social work graduates trail the national figure by nearly $9,000, reflecting the state's lower wage structure overall. This program's $29,703 first-year earnings slightly exceed that state baseline.

The debt picture is more troubling. At $32,634, graduates carry above-average loans that exceed their first-year income, creating immediate financial strain in a helping profession known for modest pay. The 29% earnings growth to $38,183 by year four helps narrow this gap, but even with that bump, graduates are earning just above what social workers nationally make right out of school. Given that 65% of students here receive Pell grants, these debt levels hit particularly hard for families with limited financial cushion.

The sample size warning matters here—fewer than 30 recent graduates means one unusually successful or struggling cohort could skew the picture significantly. If your child is passionate about social work and wants to stay in Louisiana, this program won't put them at a disadvantage compared to state peers. But the debt burden is real, and they should explore every scholarship opportunity and consider whether starting at a community college might reduce borrowing while keeping career prospects essentially unchanged.