Social Work at University of Nevada-Las Vegas

UNLV's social work program punches well above its weight class. Despite the university's 96% acceptance rate, graduates earn $44,427 in their first year—nearly $7,000 more than the national median for social work majors and ranking in the 95th percentile nationally. By year four, earnings jump to $55,652, a 25% increase that's exceptional for this field. They're also out-earning University of Nevada-Reno graduates by about $4,000 annually, though it's worth noting that within Nevada specifically, this ranks at the 60th percentile (with only two programs total, this comparison is limited).

The financial picture is solid: $21,686 in median debt translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49, meaning graduates owe less than half their first-year salary. That's manageable even on a social worker's starting salary. Debt is slightly below the Nevada median and substantially better than the national median of $26,362. For a field that's notoriously underpaid, these numbers represent genuine financial viability.

If your child is committed to social work, UNLV offers one of the strongest economic outcomes in the country for this degree. The program serves a significant population of first-generation college students (40% receive Pell grants) and consistently delivers results that exceed what most selective universities achieve in social work. This is a clear-cut win for in-state students.