Social Work at University of Mary

In North Dakota, where social work graduates from other universities typically earn in the mid-to-upper $40,000s within their first year, a Bachelor's in Social Work based on national benchmarks suggests starting earnings around $37,300—roughly $10,000 below what peer ND programs report. University of North Dakota and Minot State graduates both clear $44,000, making the gap substantial enough to matter when you're factoring in debt repayment and cost of living in Bismarck.

The estimated $27,000 in debt sits close to the state and national medians for social work programs, yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.72. That's manageable in theory—it suggests roughly nine months of gross income to cover the debt—but only if earnings approach the $47,000 that North Dakota's other programs deliver. If actual outcomes land closer to the national average this estimate is based on, the financial picture tightens considerably, especially given that social work salaries grow slowly in early career years.

Before committing, get clarity from the university on why their data isn't reported and whether their graduates secure the higher North Dakota wages or track closer to national norms. The difference between a $37,000 start and a $47,000 start transforms this program's value proposition entirely.