Social Work at University of Montevallo

University of Montevallo's social work graduates start at $32,262—about $5,000 below the national median and roughly $2,000 below Alabama's typical entry point for the field. While the program sits at the 40th percentile among Alabama schools, that still means more than half of the state's social work programs deliver stronger initial outcomes. The $27,500 debt load is manageable by national standards, but represents 85% of first-year earnings in a field not known for high salaries. Four-year earnings do climb to nearly $37,000, matching national benchmarks, which suggests the initial gap may reflect local job market factors rather than preparation quality.

The small sample size here matters—with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, a handful of individuals skew these numbers significantly. That said, students choosing social work understand they're entering a helping profession with modest pay, and this program delivers on that reality without saddling them with crushing debt. Parents should recognize their child will likely need to budget carefully early on, particularly if monthly loan payments take a significant bite from entry-level earnings.

If your child is committed to social work in Alabama, this program won't disadvantage them compared to most in-state alternatives. However, schools like North Alabama and UAB show that meaningfully higher starting salaries are achievable within the same state system—worth a hard look if location flexibility exists.