Social Work at Western Kentucky University
If you plan to study Social Work, you may want to check out the program at Western Kentucky University. We’ve gathered the following information to help you decide.
Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY.
During the most recent reporting year, 144 social work graduations were recorded at Western Kentucky University.
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Online & Distance Learning at Western Kentucky University
Many students take online classes at Western Kentucky University. Of 16,291 students, 3,505 (22%) were enrolled entirely in distance education and 6,624 (41%) took at least some classes online.
Social Work Rankings at Western Kentucky University
These rankings give you a sense of how Western Kentucky University’s Social Work program against peer institutions.
Bachelor’s-Level Rankings
| Ranking | Scope | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Best Schools (Quality) | Kentucky | #6 of 13 |
| Best Value | Kentucky | #6 of 13 |
| Best Value | Southeast (Region) | #27 of 132 |
| Best Schools (Quality) | Southeast (Region) | #66 of 132 |
| Best Value | Nationwide | #143 of 567 |
| Best Schools (Quality) | Nationwide | #430 of 570 |
Master’s-Level Rankings
| Ranking | Scope | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Best Schools (Quality) | Kentucky | #6 of 13 |
| Best Value | Kentucky | #6 of 13 |
| Best Value | Southeast (Region) | #27 of 132 |
| Best Schools (Quality) | Southeast (Region) | #66 of 132 |
| Best Value | Nationwide | #143 of 567 |
| Best Schools (Quality) | Nationwide | #430 of 570 |
Earnings for Social Work Graduates from Western Kentucky University
Students who complete Western Kentucky University’s Social Work program earn the following amounts (per the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard):
| Years After Graduation | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $33,636 |
| 2 years | $33,999 |
| 3 years | $35,436 |
| 4 years | $38,695 |
| 5 years | $45,167 |
How do these earnings stack up against the rest of the school? At the four-year mark, Social Work graduates from Western Kentucky University take home a median $38,695, compared with $48,728 for all Western Kentucky University graduates — about 21% lower than the school-wide median.
Median Debt at Graduation
The median debt for Social Work graduates from Western Kentucky University stands at $26,000.
Student Demographics & Diversity
The following sections describe the student demographics for Social Work graduates at Western Kentucky University, by degree type.
Program-wide, Social Work graduates at Western Kentucky University are 92% women (133) and 8% men (11).
Social Work Bachelor’s Program at Western Kentucky University
Among the 89 bachelor’s social work degrees awarded at Western Kentucky University, 90% were women (80) and 10% were men (9).
The following table and chart show the race/ethnicity of Social Work bachelor’s degree recipients at Western Kentucky University.
| Race / Ethnicity | Number of Graduates |
|---|---|
| White | 68 |
| Hispanic / Latino | 4 |
| Black / African American | 15 |
| Two or More Races | 2 |
Racial-ethnic minorities make up 24% of Social Work bachelor’s degree recipients at Western Kentucky University, below the national average of 48%.*
Social Work Master’s Program at Western Kentucky University
Among the 54 master’s social work degrees awarded at Western Kentucky University, 96% were women (52) and 4% were men (2).
The following table and chart show the race/ethnicity of Social Work master’s degree recipients at Western Kentucky University.
| Race / Ethnicity | Number of Graduates |
|---|---|
| White | 40 |
| Hispanic / Latino | 1 |
| Black / African American | 12 |
| Asian | 1 |
Racial-ethnic minorities make up 26% of Social Work master’s degree recipients at Western Kentucky University, below the national average of 42%.*
*The racial-ethnic minorities figure is the total number of graduates minus White, international (nonresident), and unknown-race graduates.
More Specific Social Work Concentrations at Western Kentucky University
The Social Work program at Western Kentucky University includes the following sub-specializations:
| Concentration | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Social Work | 144 |
Top-Paying Careers for Social Work Graduates
Those who complete Social Work program at Western Kentucky University pursue many career paths. Below are the top-paying careers for Social Work majors, ordered by median annual salary:
| Occupation | Nationwide Median Wage |
|---|---|
| Social and Community Service Managers | $156,089 |
| Counselors, All Other | $81,766 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $78,044 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $74,325 |
| Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary | $65,510 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $62,827 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $58,560 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $41,658 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $40,804 |
References
- IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
- U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard
- O*NET Online (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- National Center for Education Statistics
More about our data sources and methodologies.