Social Work at SUNY Brockport

SUNY Brockport's social work program produces graduates who earn slightly below what most New York programs deliver—landing in the 40th percentile statewide—but the debt load makes this a reasonable choice for students committed to the field. At $23,354 in median debt, graduates carry about $2,600 less than the state average, which matters considerably when starting salaries hover around $37,000.

The earnings trajectory shows steady progress, with graduates seeing an 11% increase to $41,017 by year four. That's solid growth for social work, where compensation tends to rise with licensure and experience. However, it's worth noting that several CUNY schools—York, Medgar Evers, and Lehman—produce graduates earning $3,000-$7,000 more right out of the gate, suggesting location or school network may influence early career opportunities in this field.

The 0.63 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, particularly for a helping profession where financial sacrifice is often part of the equation. For families considering in-state options, Brockport won't disadvantage your child relative to national peers, but if commuting to a CUNY campus is feasible, those programs offer better initial earning potential at similar or lower debt levels. If your student is set on the residential college experience and pursuing social work licensure, Brockport provides a viable path without crushing debt.