Most students attend a university to gain a high-paying job and to hold a steady future income - but not all students are in it solely for the money.
Two bachelor's degree programs offered by Ohio University topped a recent list of the 10 least-profitable college majors, according to Payscale, an online compensation data company.
Social work held the number-one spot with an average starting salary of $33,400, followed closely by elementary education with a $33,000 starting salary. The rankings also took into account mid-career salary averages.
There are 100 students at OU studying social work in the pre-major and major programs, said Anne Sparks, an assistant professor in the social work department.
We have had debates and discussions that say we pretty much feel we are very important (to society)
said Lauren Schmitz, a junior studying early childhood education. We will be teaching everyone who will go on and make more money than us though.
Both programs are accredited at OU and they both emphasize out-of-classroom experience.
Early childhood education majors will spend an average of 1,300 hours assisting teachers or student teaching at local schools, Schmitz said.
Students who study social work are given a field placement during their senior year. Because the program is accredited, students can apply to be licensed social workers after graduation, which would make them more marketable, Sparks said.
Students studying in both programs said their motivation to help others, rather than projected income levels, influenced their choice of major.
A lot of people think it's a tough job that doesn't get paid said Kimberly Castor, a junior studying social work and the president of the Student Social Work Association on campus. It's about making a difference to someone - if I can do that
I will be satisfied.
The National Association for Social Workers responded to Payscale's data collection, citing the company only used figures about social workers with bachelor's degrees.
Social workers with less than five years experience earn a median annual salary of $43,700; those with 10 to 19 years of experience earn a median annual salary of $52,000; and those with 20 to 29 years of experience earn a median annual salary of $60,000, according to the association.
(Prospective students) should go talk to someone and don't let the salary and articles discourage them because it's really rewarding - maybe not financially
but in other ways
Castor said.
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Culture
Lauren Mikolay
