Median Earnings (1yr)
$46,368
95th percentile (60th in MN)
Est. Median Debt
$27,000
Est. from MN median (7 programs)
Sample Size
18
Limited data

Earnings Distribution

How Southwest Minnesota State University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Southwest Minnesota State University graduates earn $46k, placing them in the 95th percentile of all social work bachelors programs nationally.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.

Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota

Social Work bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (17 total in state)

SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Southwest Minnesota State University$46,368$44,189$27,000*
Metropolitan State University$47,637$47,860$29,615*0.62
Bemidji State University$47,192$48,772$27,000*0.57
The College of Saint Scholastica$45,371$48,482$37,059*0.82
Bethel University$45,259$45,919$25,000*0.55
St Olaf College$45,146$27,000*0.60
National Median$37,296$26,362*0.71
* Estimated from similar programs

Other Social Work Programs in Minnesota

Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Minnesota schools

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Debt
Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul
$9,780$47,637$29,615
Bemidji State University
Bemidji
$10,164$47,192$27,000
The College of Saint Scholastica
Duluth
$40,454$45,371$37,059
Bethel University
Saint Paul
$42,930$45,259$25,000
St Olaf College
Northfield
$56,970$45,146$27,000

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Southwest Minnesota State University, approximately 11% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 18 graduates with reported earnings and 17 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.