Program Analysis
Graduates earn $32,725/yr, roughly in line with the $36,554 national median for Social Work. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
The 17.1x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.
AI risk is moderate — 24% task exposure — and the 4% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $20,750 debt-to-$32,725 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.
At #176 out of 338 programs, Appalachian State University's financial outcomes for Social Work trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
The five-year earnings trajectory from $32,725 to $48,164 shows 47% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.