Social Work (Bachelor's Degree) at Whittier College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$37,995

Est. from CA median (16 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$30,000

Est. from CA median (5 programs)

Analysis

In California, social work bachelor's programs range from top performers like San Francisco State ($48,750 first-year earnings) to those tracking closer to the statewide median of around $38,000. Based on comparable programs in the state, Whittier's graduates likely start near that median at an estimated $38,000, with debt around $30,000. That debt load exceeds the state median of $17,259 by a significant margin and pushes the debt-to-earnings ratio to 0.79—meaning nearly a year's salary in student loans for a helping profession notoriously modest in compensation.

The four-year earnings figure of $50,846 offers some reassurance that social work careers do advance, though that growth is gradual. The real question is whether spending $30,000 to enter a field where you'll earn $38,000 initially makes financial sense when California State schools produce stronger starting salaries with typically lower debt burdens. Whittier's 85% admission rate suggests accessibility, but that doesn't offset the cost disadvantage for a career path where every dollar of debt matters.

If your child is committed to social work, compare the actual financial aid package from Whittier against public alternatives where peer programs show both higher earnings and lower debt. The profession's rewards are largely non-financial, which makes controlling educational costs essential rather than optional.

Where Whittier College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all social work bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Whittier College	—	$50,846	—
La Sierra University	$42,213	$60,961	+44%
University of California-Berkeley	$44,906	$60,405	+35%
California State University-Long Beach	$42,925	$59,826	+39%
San Francisco State University	$48,750	$56,474	+16%

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Social Work bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (26 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Whittier CollegeWhittier	$49,864	$37,995*	$50,846	$30,000*	—
San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco	$7,424	$48,750*	$56,474	$17,259*	0.35
University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley	$14,850	$44,906*	$60,405	$13,719*	0.31
California State University-Long BeachLong Beach	$7,008	$42,925*	$59,826	$11,276*	0.26
La Sierra UniversityRiverside	$35,910	$42,213*	$60,961	$35,500*	0.84
University of Massachusetts GlobalAliso Viejo	$12,520	$41,327*	$45,868	$34,250*	0.83
National Median	—	$37,296*	—	$26,362*	0.71

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with social work graduates

Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in social work. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Social and Community Service Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization. Oversee the program or organization's budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements, and benefits. Work may involve directing social workers, counselors, or probation officers.

$78,240/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

Provide social services to assist in rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole. Make recommendations for actions involving formulation of rehabilitation plan and treatment of offender, including conditional release and education and employment stipulations.

$64,520/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Marriage and Family Therapists

Diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of marriage and family systems. Apply psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of treating such diagnosed nervous and mental disorders.

$63,780/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. May assist parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. May also advise teachers.

$61,330/yrJobs growth:

Healthcare Social Workers

Provide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. Services include advising family caregivers. Provide patients with information and counseling, and make referrals for other services. May also provide case and care management or interventions designed to promote health, prevent disease, and address barriers to access to healthcare.

$61,330/yrJobs growth:

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs. Activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education.

$61,330/yrJobs growth:

Social Workers, All Other

All social workers not listed separately.

$61,330/yrJobs growth:

Counselors, All Other

All counselors not listed separately.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Whittier College, approximately 32% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 16 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.