Location: Berkeley, CA•In-State Tuition: $14,850•Out-of-State Tuition: $45,627•Admission Rate: 12%
Median Earnings (1yr)
$44,906
95th percentile
60th percentile in California
Median Debt
$13,719
48% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.31 ManageableSample: 90 graduates

Analysis

UC Berkeley's social work program sits in an interesting sweet spot: graduates earn substantially more than the national average while carrying remarkably low debt—just $13,719 compared to the national median of $26,362. That 0.31 debt-to-earnings ratio is exceptionally manageable. However, it's worth noting that within California's 26 social work programs, this ranks around the 60th percentile, trailing schools like San Francisco State ($48,750) and Cal State Long Beach ($42,925).

The trajectory here is promising. Starting earnings of $44,906 jump to $60,405 by year four—a 35% increase that suggests strong career progression. For a field often characterized by modest starting salaries, these numbers demonstrate the value of Berkeley's elite network and the higher-paying opportunities concentrated in the Bay Area's nonprofit and government sectors. The 12% admission rate reflects selectivity that seems to translate into better outcomes, though the 27% Pell grant rate shows it's not exclusively serving the wealthy.

For parents worried about social work degrees leaving their children with unmanageable debt and limited earnings, Berkeley offers reassurance on both fronts. The combination of low borrowing and solid career growth makes this a financially viable path, even if other California programs edge it out on immediate post-graduation earnings.

Where University of California-Berkeley Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all social work bachelors's programs nationally

University of California-BerkeleyOther social work programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How University of California-Berkeley graduates compare to all programs nationally

University of California-Berkeley earns $45k — 95th percentile among social work bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
University of California-Berkeley$44,906$60,405+35%
La Sierra University$42,213$60,961+44%
California State University-Long Beach$42,925$59,826+39%
San Francisco State University$48,750$56,474+16%
California State University-San Bernardino$39,145$54,364+39%

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Social Work bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (26 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley$14,850$44,906$60,405$13,7190.31
San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco$7,424$48,750$56,474$17,2590.35
California State University-Long BeachLong Beach$7,008$42,925$59,826$11,2760.26
La Sierra UniversityRiverside$35,910$42,213$60,961$35,5000.84
University of Massachusetts GlobalAliso Viejo$12,520$41,327$45,868$34,2500.83
Fresno Pacific UniversityFresno$35,558$40,458—$25,0000.62
National Median—$37,296—$26,3620.71

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with social work graduates

Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in social work. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Social and Community Service Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization. Oversee the program or organization's budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements, and benefits. Work may involve directing social workers, counselors, or probation officers.

$78,240/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

Provide social services to assist in rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole. Make recommendations for actions involving formulation of rehabilitation plan and treatment of offender, including conditional release and education and employment stipulations.

$64,520/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Marriage and Family Therapists

Diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of marriage and family systems. Apply psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of treating such diagnosed nervous and mental disorders.

$63,780/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. May assist parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. May also advise teachers.

$61,330/yrJobs growth:

Healthcare Social Workers

Provide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. Services include advising family caregivers. Provide patients with information and counseling, and make referrals for other services. May also provide case and care management or interventions designed to promote health, prevent disease, and address barriers to access to healthcare.

$61,330/yrJobs growth:

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs. Activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education.

$61,330/yrJobs growth:

Social Workers, All Other

All social workers not listed separately.

$61,330/yrJobs growth:

Counselors, All Other

All counselors not listed separately.

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 University of California-Berkeley, approximately 27% 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 90 graduates with reported earnings and 92 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.