Best Social Work Degrees in Michigan by ROI
Colleges in Michigan ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in Michigan
18
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$216,288
Across Michigan programs
Average Annual Cost
$33,746
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Hope College
Grad rate: 81.3% |
-$123,748 | $48,054 | $52,206 | $26,670 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Michigan State University
Grad rate: 81.9% |
-$131,780 | $43,283 | $30,528 | $26,169 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Saginaw Valley State University
Grad rate: 51.8% |
-$142,762 | $41,763 | $24,043 | $31,000 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
University of Michigan-Flint
Grad rate: 45.5% |
-$156,076 | $41,427 | $23,329 | $38,000 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Oakland University
Grad rate: 57.3% |
-$172,721 | $40,274 | $25,016 | $28,250 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Adrian College
Grad rate: 53.4% |
-$177,270 | $45,949 | $54,950 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Western Michigan University
Grad rate: 56.5% |
-$186,990 | $40,204 | $28,655 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Calvin University
Grad rate: 77.2% |
-$202,614 | $44,349 | $53,286 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Grand Valley State University
Grad rate: 67.4% |
-$203,302 | $38,973 | $26,578 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Ferris State University
Grad rate: 48.6% |
-$208,989 | $38,620 | $26,066 | $27,500 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Central Michigan University
Grad rate: 61.8% |
-$216,650 | $38,284 | $26,470 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Eastern Michigan University
Grad rate: 45.5% |
-$239,231 | $37,772 | $28,168 | $31,111 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Madonna University
Grad rate: 54.3% |
-$247,531 | $39,113 | $38,809 | $25,597 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Davenport University
Grad rate: 49.8% |
-$273,756 | $35,485 | $35,864 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Northern Michigan University
Grad rate: 51.8% |
-$285,890 | $34,587 | $26,206 | $24,301 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Social Work Degrees by State
Browse Social Work programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.