Social Work at University of North Florida

The headline here is debt: at $13,029, UNF's social work graduates carry roughly half what's typical at other Florida programs ($21,875 statewide median) and less than half the national benchmark ($26,362). This places the program in the 95th percentile nationally for low debt—a significant advantage in a field where salaries start modest and grow slowly. Based on comparable programs across Florida, first-year earnings cluster around $36,400, with UNF's actual four-year earnings data showing graduates reach $46,756—solid progression but not rapid. Similar programs at Florida International and Florida Atlantic report higher early earnings ($41,626 and $39,912 respectively), though UNF's debt advantage may offset much of that gap.

The practical math matters here: borrowers would face monthly payments around $145 on a standard 10-year plan, manageable on social work salaries that typically support public service careers. While the field won't deliver quick financial returns—it rarely does anywhere—UNF structures the investment more conservatively than most alternatives. For students committed to social work and likely to work in Florida's nonprofit or public sectors, the lower debt burden provides meaningful financial breathing room that higher-earning peer programs don't always deliver once loan payments begin. The university's 31% Pell Grant population suggests it serves students for whom minimizing debt may be particularly important.