Social Work at University of Nebraska at Kearney

With only a handful of graduates in this cohort, treat these numbers as preliminary—but they suggest University of Nebraska at Kearney's social work program performs solidly within Nebraska's limited market. The $39,218 starting salary lands at the state median and outpaces 70% of social work programs nationally, though graduates carry $24,000 in debt (slightly below national norms but typical for Nebraska).

The concerning signal is the earnings trajectory: graduates see essentially no income growth between years one and four, remaining within a narrow $39,000-$40,000 band. This stagnation is common in social services roles, where pay scales are often rigid and advancement requires graduate credentials. The $24,000 debt load remains manageable at 61% of first-year earnings, but families should understand they're financing entry into a career with limited early earning power. Among Nebraska's seven social work programs, this sits comfortably in the middle—competitive with UNO and close behind Nebraska Wesleyan.

For families committed to social work, this program delivers predictable outcomes at a reasonable price. The flat earnings curve isn't a program defect—it reflects the field itself. The real question is whether your student plans to pursue an MSW eventually, since that's typically the path to meaningful salary increases in social work.