Social Work at Arkansas State University

Jonesboro, AR · Public · Bachelor's Degree
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
44
Optimistic
42
Base Case
57
Pessimistic
Earnings $33,140/yr (-9% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)
ROI 17.0x earnings multiple (9.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #152 of 338 Social Work programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Social Work graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $529K $528K $504K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.0x 17.0x 16.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.6x 9.6x 9.1x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 69% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 44 42 57

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$31,016
Out-of-state: $55,304 (9.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$52,340
-69% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$29,000
10.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,629
50% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $33,140 track close to the $36,554 national median for Social Work programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 17.0x 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 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $29,000 debt-to-$33,140 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #152 out of 338 programs, Arkansas State University's Social Work offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $33,140 to $49,629 shows 50% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Arkansas State University

With a 70% acceptance rate, Arkansas State University is moderately selective, with a mid-sized student body of 7,994 in Jonesboro, AR.

See all programs and financial aid at Arkansas State University →

Top Career Paths

Social and community service managers $78,240/yr
Social work teachers, postsecondary $76,210/yr
Social workers, all other $69,480/yr
View all 9 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Social Work at Other Schools

Other Majors at Arkansas State University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Arkansas State University's Social Work program score?
This program scores 42/100 — on the lower end for Social Work. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →