Social Work at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

UNC Greensboro's social work graduates start with first-year earnings nearly $7,000 below the national median, but the trajectory tells a more encouraging story. That initial $30,509 jumps 47% to $44,724 by year four—strong growth that suggests the program prepares students for advancement into case management and clinical roles. The moderate $26,000 debt load is manageable relative to where graduates end up, though that first year will require careful budgeting.

Within North Carolina, this program sits right at the state median for starting pay, landing in the 40th percentile among the state's 23 social work programs. Several NC schools—Mars Hill, UNC Wilmington, and Barton College—place graduates $8,000-11,000 higher in year one, which matters when you're establishing financial footing in an already modest-paying field. UNC Greensboro's accessibility (90% admission rate, nearly half of students on Pell grants) serves students who might not have other options, but families should know stronger-performing alternatives exist in-state.

The real question is whether the career growth justifies those lean early years. For students genuinely committed to social work and willing to advance their credentials over time, the trajectory works. But if your child is uncertain about the field or needs to start earning immediately after graduation, programs with stronger first-year outcomes would reduce financial stress during that critical transition period.