Social Work at University of Wisconsin-Superior

UW-Superior's social work graduates earn substantially more than the national average—about $5,000 more in their first year—placing this program in the 92nd percentile nationally. That's an impressive outcome for a program with a 94% admission rate. The debt load of $29,166 is also quite reasonable, resulting in a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69. For context, the program costs about $2,700 more in debt than Wisconsin's median but delivers earnings right at the state median.

Here's where it gets interesting: while this program outperforms most social work programs nationally, it lands in the middle of the pack within Wisconsin. Five other UW schools produce higher-earning graduates, with Viterbo topping out at $46,384. That said, the difference between UW-Superior and the state's top programs is only about $3,000-4,000 annually—not a dealbreaker if Superior's location or community fits your child's goals.

The modest 2% earnings growth over four years is typical for social work, a field with relatively compressed salary scales. If your child is committed to social work, this program delivers solid value: graduates enter the field earning more than most of their national peers, with debt they can reasonably manage on a social worker's salary. Just know that within Wisconsin, it's a middle-tier option rather than a standout.