Social Work Degree in Bridgeport, CT — Salary & ROI 2026
Social Work degree analysis for Bridgeport, CT. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$71K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$78K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.2 yrs
in Bridgeport
Cost of Living
141
index (100 = avg)
Social Work in Bridgeport, CT Overview
Bridgeport, Connecticut (pop. 148,529) has 11 colleges offering Social Work programs. The local cost of living index of 141 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,763/month. Social Work has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Case Management and Counseling skills. The adjusted starting salary in Bridgeport is approximately $70,500.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$13,201/yr
Private Tuition
$35,160/yr
Room & Board
$19,837/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,621/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
69%
Social Work Salary in Bridgeport (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Bridgeport's cost of living index of 141 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Social Work salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Bridgeport adjustment factor: 1.41x based on the local cost of living index.
Social Work ROI Calculator for Bridgeport
Estimate your return on investment for a Social Work degree using local Bridgeport tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,201 | Private avg: $35,160
Bridgeport avg aid: $10,621/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$132,152
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$21,150
vs HS diploma in Bridgeport
ROI Payback Period
6.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Bridgeport
$262,648
Lifetime earnings premium ($394,800) minus total education cost ($132,152)
Student Loan Payoff for Social Work in Bridgeport
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Bridgeport for Social Work
University of Bridgeport
private
$35,160/yr
$140,640 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Housatonic Community College
$4,920/yr
Top Employers for Social Work in Bridgeport
Bridgeport offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Social Work graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Bridgeport Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Social Work Job Titles
Social Work in Nearby Connecticut Cities
Stamford, CT
$71K starting · COL 141
7 colleges
New Haven, CT
$62K starting · COL 123
10 colleges
Hartford, CT
$58K starting · COL 116
10 colleges
Waterbury, CT
$70K starting · COL 140
8 colleges
Norwalk, CT
$64K starting · COL 128.5
4 colleges
Danbury, CT
$58K starting · COL 115.2
4 colleges
New Britain, CT
$55K starting · COL 109.7
3 colleges
West Hartford, CT
$56K starting · COL 112.5
3 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Bridgeport
International Relations
$71K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$68K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$71K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$71K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$71K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$71K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$62K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$71K starting · 5 yr ROI
Social Work Degree in Bridgeport — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Social Work ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Bridgeport.