Social Work at Utah State University

Utah State's social work program saddles graduates with one of the lowest debt loads in the country while producing some of the lowest earnings—ranking in just the 18th percentile nationally and 25th percentile among Utah's five social work programs. First-year graduates earn about $31,750, roughly $6,400 below the state median and $5,500 below the national benchmark. By year four, earnings climb to $39,435, showing solid 24% growth, but Weber State graduates start nearly $11,000 higher. The debt picture provides the only real advantage: at $16,132, it's $10,000 below the national median and among the lowest 5% of programs nationwide.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51 means graduates face manageable loan payments, but the fundamental challenge remains earning power. Utah State graduates earn less than peers at every other Utah program tracked, including nearby Weber State just 45 minutes away. This earnings gap persists even as graduates gain experience, suggesting structural differences in career outcomes rather than just starting positions. For a field where burnout is common and wages are notoriously low, starting $6,000 behind state peers could make the difference between financial stability and ongoing stress.

If your child is committed to social work and cost-sensitive, the low debt matters. But understand they'll likely earn thousands less annually than graduates from Utah's other programs, and that gap appears durable over time.