College ROI Report
Updated 2024
Best-value Colleges for Social services Careers
If you want to bring people together, help people live better lives by keeping them safe and/or healthy, and want to help to promote equality and opportunity, a career in Community and Social Services Occupations is something you should consider. Well-known jobs that fall within social services include jobs in public broadcasting, urban planning, social work, electrical infrastructure, and the water, sewer, and waste-management industries, among others.
| Rank | School Name | 20 Year Net ROI | Total 4 Year Cost | Graduation Rate | Typical Years to Graduate | Average Loan Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank:51 | School Name:_50px.png) Virginia Commonwealth University (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$-70,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$135,000 | Graduation Rate:65% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$31,200 |
| Rank:52 | School Name:_50px.jpg) San Francisco State University (Out-of-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$-71,400 | Total 4 Year Cost:$158,000 | Graduation Rate:55% | Typical Years to Graduate:5 | Average Loan Amount:$22,200 |
| Rank:53 | School Name: Sonoma State University (Out-of-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$-71,600 | Total 4 Year Cost:$157,000 | Graduation Rate:60% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$25,400 |
| Rank:54 | School Name: Ozark Christian College (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$-71,900 | Total 4 Year Cost:$96,900 | Graduation Rate:53% | Typical Years to Graduate:5 | Average Loan Amount:$23,000 |
| Rank:55 | School Name: Biola University (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$-73,400 | Total 4 Year Cost:$238,000 | Graduation Rate:72% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$31,800 |
| Rank:56 | School Name: Rutgers University-New Brunswick (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$-73,700 | Total 4 Year Cost:$136,000 | Graduation Rate:84% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$32,200 |
| Rank:57 | School Name: Rhode Island College (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$-73,900 | Total 4 Year Cost:$104,000 | Graduation Rate:44% | Typical Years to Graduate:5 | Average Loan Amount:$28,400 |
| Rank:58 | School Name: Weber State University (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$-76,200 | Total 4 Year Cost:$86,100 | Graduation Rate:42% | Typical Years to Graduate:5 | Average Loan Amount:$22,800 |
| Rank:59 | School Name: Wayne State University (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$-77,100 | Total 4 Year Cost:$119,000 | Graduation Rate:60% | Typical Years to Graduate:5 | Average Loan Amount:$25,700 |
| Rank:60 | School Name:_50px.jpg) California State University-Northridge (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$-80,100 | Total 4 Year Cost:$93,800 | Graduation Rate:56% | Typical Years to Graduate:5 | Average Loan Amount:$21,800 |
Every community needs community and social services, so jobs of this type can be found almost anywhere. And though the financial ROI of working in social services may not measure up to a job in engineering or computer science, for example – in terms of wages – the difference is reduced when benefits and hours are included. Additionally, public workers have other intangible benefits such as increased job security.
If you’re considering going to school to specialize in social services, use Payscale’s College ROI report to make sure you don’t start your civil service career at a disadvantage.
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