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Social Work Degree in Syracuse, NY — Salary & ROI 2026

Social Work degree analysis for Syracuse, NY. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$69K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$75K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

6.7 yrs

in Syracuse

Cost of Living

137

index (100 = avg)

Social Work in Syracuse, NY Overview

Syracuse, New York (pop. 148,620) has 10 colleges offering Social Work programs. The local cost of living index of 137 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,093/month. Social Work has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Case Management and Counseling skills. The adjusted starting salary in Syracuse is approximately $68,500.

Category

Social Sciences

Local Colleges

10

Public Tuition

$14,304/yr

Private Tuition

$57,750/yr

Room & Board

$19,896/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$16,141/yr

Unemployment

4%

Graduation Rate

62%

Social Work Salary in Syracuse (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Syracuse's cost of living index of 137 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$68,500(+$18,500 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$75,350(+$20,350 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$89,050(+$24,050 vs national)

Note: National average Social Work salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Syracuse adjustment factor: 1.37x based on the local cost of living index.

Social Work ROI Calculator for Syracuse

Estimate your return on investment for a Social Work degree using local Syracuse tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $14,304 | Private avg: $57,750

Syracuse avg aid: $16,141/yr

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$136,800

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$20,550

vs HS diploma in Syracuse

ROI Payback Period

6.7 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Syracuse

$246,800

Lifetime earnings premium ($383,600) minus total education cost ($136,800)

Student Loan Payoff for Social Work in Syracuse

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$136,800
Monthly Payment$1,553
Total Interest$49,600
% of Monthly Income27%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$136,800
Monthly Payment$2,677
Total Interest$23,799
Interest Savings$25,801

Colleges in Syracuse for Social Work

Syracuse University

private

$57,750/yr

$231,000 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Onondaga Community College

$5,504/yr

Top Employers for Social Work in Syracuse

Syracuse offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Social Work graduates. National top employers in this field include:

GovernmentHospitalsSchoolsNon-ProfitsCommunity Organizations

Key Syracuse Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences

Government agencies

Non-profits

Research institutes

Social services

Consulting

Common Social Work Job Titles

Social WorkerCase ManagerSchool Social WorkerClinical Social Worker

Social Work Degree in Syracuse — 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 Syracuse.

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