Social Work at Winston-Salem State University

Winston-Salem State's social work program starts graduates at just under $30,000—well below both state and national medians—but the trajectory tells a more promising story. By year four, earnings jump 53% to $45,182, ultimately surpassing North Carolina's median and approaching the national benchmark. This growth pattern suggests graduates may be entering the field in entry-level positions but advancing relatively quickly, though the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could shift significantly with more data.

The concerning piece is that first-year salary. At the 5th percentile nationally, new graduates earn about $8,000 less than the typical social work graduate nationwide, which makes the $28,537 in debt feel heavier than it looks on paper. During that initial year, nearly all take-home pay could go to basic expenses, leaving little room for aggressive loan repayment. The program does rank at the 40th percentile within North Carolina, suggesting the low starting salary isn't unique to this school but may reflect regional wage patterns or the types of employers hiring WSSU graduates.

For a family considering this program, the key question is whether your child can manage that difficult first year financially. If they can live at home or keep expenses minimal initially, the later earnings growth makes this workable. But if they need to support themselves immediately after graduation, that $29,617 starting point creates real hardship, especially compared to what other NC programs deliver right out of the gate.