Social Work at Spring Arbor University

Spring Arbor's social work graduates earn more than the state median while carrying relatively manageable debt—a combination that should reassure parents worried about affordability in a traditionally lower-paying field. At $39,071 in year one, graduates land in the 60th percentile among Michigan programs, performing comparably to much larger state universities like Wayne State and Eastern Michigan. More importantly, the debt load of $29,893 sits well below what many private colleges charge, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.77 that's quite reasonable for social work.

The earnings trajectory looks solid too, with graduates seeing 14% income growth to $44,456 by year four—meaningful progress in a field where compensation often plateaus early. These outcomes suggest Spring Arbor's program effectively prepares students for Michigan's social work market without saddling them with the crushing debt loads that can make this career path financially untenable.

For parents considering a private Christian college for their aspiring social worker, Spring Arbor delivers competitive professional outcomes at a price point that won't undermine their child's ability to pursue meaningful work in a service-oriented field. The combination of above-average earnings and below-average debt makes this one of the more financially sensible paths into social work in Michigan.