Social Work Degree in Jersey City, NJ — Salary & ROI 2026
Social Work degree analysis for Jersey City, NJ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$64K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$70K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.2 yrs
in Jersey City
Cost of Living
127
index (100 = avg)
Social Work in Jersey City, NJ Overview
Jersey City is one of New Jersey's top college towns, with 23 institutions and a student population of 26,694. Public tuition averages $12,750/year here — near the national average for public universities. Social Work has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Case Management and Counseling skills. The adjusted starting salary in Jersey City is approximately $63,500.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
23
Public Tuition
$12,750/yr
Private Tuition
$40,360/yr
Room & Board
$21,714/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,349/yr
Unemployment
3.5%
Graduation Rate
50%
Social Work Salary in Jersey City (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Jersey City's cost of living index of 127 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Social Work salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Jersey City adjustment factor: 1.27x based on the local cost of living index.
Social Work ROI Calculator for Jersey City
Estimate your return on investment for a Social Work degree using local Jersey City tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,750 | Private avg: $40,360
Jersey City avg aid: $10,349/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$137,856
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$19,050
vs HS diploma in Jersey City
ROI Payback Period
7.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Jersey City
$217,744
Lifetime earnings premium ($355,600) minus total education cost ($137,856)
Student Loan Payoff for Social Work in Jersey City
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Jersey City for Social Work
Saint Peter's University
private
$40,360/yr
$161,440 total
New Jersey City University
public
$12,750/yr
$51,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Hudson County Community College
$5,040/yr
Top Employers for Social Work in Jersey City
Jersey City offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Social Work graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Jersey City Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Social Work Job Titles
Social Work in Nearby New Jersey Cities
Newark, NJ
$68K starting · COL 135
14 colleges
Paterson, NJ
$65K starting · COL 129
5 colleges
Elizabeth, NJ
$58K starting · COL 115.5
6 colleges
Edison, NJ
$59K starting · COL 118.2
5 colleges
Lakewood, NJ
$64K starting · COL 128.8
5 colleges
Woodbridge, NJ
$56K starting · COL 112.5
4 colleges
Toms River, NJ
$59K starting · COL 117.7
4 colleges
Trenton, NJ
$67K starting · COL 134
8 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Jersey City
International Relations
$64K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$61K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$64K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$64K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$64K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$64K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$56K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$64K starting · 5 yr ROI
Social Work Degree in Jersey City — 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 Jersey City.