Social Work at The College of Saint Scholastica

Saint Scholastica's social work graduates earn $45,371 in their first year—about $8,000 more than the national median for the field and ranking in the 95th percentile nationally. That's an impressive outcome for a profession not known for high starting salaries. However, context matters: within Minnesota, where social work wages run higher than most states, this program sits at the 60th percentile. You're paying $37,059 in median debt (versus $27,000 at comparable Minnesota schools) for earnings that trail several public universities in the state.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.82 is manageable by social work standards—far better than many programs where graduates struggle with debt loads exceeding annual income. Earnings do grow modestly to $48,482 by year four, which suggests career stability. Still, the $10,000 debt premium over typical Minnesota programs means your child starts roughly $100/month behind in loan payments compared to peers from state schools who may be earning similar or better salaries.

If your child is committed to social work and values Saint Scholastica's mission-driven environment, the numbers work. But Metropolitan State and Bemidji State both produce higher earners with significantly less debt, making them worth serious consideration for families watching costs.