Social Work at Youngstown State University

Youngstown State's social work graduates face a tough financial reality: they earn less than peers at most other Ohio programs while carrying debt loads that rank among the highest in the nation. At just $36,445 in first-year earnings—below both the state median ($37,990) and landing in the 40th percentile among Ohio schools—graduates here start behind. Meanwhile, their $33,422 in typical debt exceeds what students borrow at 95% of social work programs nationally.

The debt burden becomes clearer when you look at comparable Ohio programs. Capital University graduates earn $44,344 their first year with similar debt levels. Even Wright State and University of Cincinnati graduates, who might have borrowed comparable amounts, earn $3,000-4,000 more annually right out of the gate. That earnings gap means Youngstown graduates spend more years digging out from under their loans, even though modest growth to $39,206 by year four helps narrow the gap somewhat.

For families considering this program, the core issue is straightforward: you can access better-performing social work programs elsewhere in Ohio without necessarily taking on more debt. If Youngstown State is the only viable option due to location or other constraints, understand that the financial payoff will be slower than at peer institutions. Social work is already a modest-earning field; starting in the bottom half of Ohio programs makes that reality harder.