Social Work at University of California-Berkeley

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.