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Public Administration · Social Work Rank #67 of 338

Social Workat Colorado Mesa University

Graduates earn $42,254/yr in their first year — about 16.0% above the national Social Work average. Base-case 10-year earnings $487K; scenarios range from $469K to $487K depending on AI disruption.

Grand Junction, CO Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
49 AVERAGE
50
Optimistic
55
Pessimistic
Earnings
$42,254
1-year post-graduation
ROI
9.9x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$487K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
37% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Colorado Mesa University

First-year earnings of $42,254 at Colorado Mesa University come in 16% above the national median of $36,554 for Social Work programs.

With a 12.5x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 4% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Social Work career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $25,000 against $42,254/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

Colorado Mesa University ranks #67 among 338 Social Work programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$469K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score55/100
Earnings Multiple12.1x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$487K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score49/100
Earnings Multiple12.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$487K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score50/100
Earnings Multiple12.5x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Colorado Mesa University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Social Work graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Social and community service managers
+6.4% 10-yr growth · 18,600 openings/yr
$78,240/yr
Moderate
2
Social work teachers, postsecondary
+2.3% 10-yr growth · 1,300 openings/yr
$76,210/yr
Moderate
3
Social workers, all other
+3.9% 10-yr growth · 7,000 openings/yr
$69,480/yr
Low
4
Healthcare social workers
+7.7% 10-yr growth · 18,400 openings/yr
$68,090/yr
Moderate
5
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists
+2.6% 10-yr growth · 7,900 openings/yr
$64,520/yr
Moderate
6
Marriage and family therapists
+12.6% 10-yr growth · 7,700 openings/yr
$63,780/yr
Low
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Social Work

How Colorado Mesa University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of North Dakota
ND · Public
60
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
11.4x
ROI
Top score
San Francisco State University
CA · Public
69
DW Score
$49K
1-yr earn
21.5x
ROI
University of Alaska Fairbanks
AK · Public
54
DW Score
$48K
1-yr earn
11.4x
ROI
Seton Hall University
NJ · Private nonprofit
42
DW Score
$48K
1-yr earn
1.5x
ROI
Metropolitan State University
MN · Public
62
DW Score
$48K
1-yr earn
13.6x
ROI
Also at Colorado Mesa University

Other top programs at Colorado Mesa University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Colorado Mesa University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Social Work offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Social Work trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Social Work at Colorado Mesa University

What does a 49/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Social Work at Colorado Mesa University?

At 49/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Social Work programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Is Colorado Mesa University one of the best schools for Social Work?

Among 338 Social Work programs, Colorado Mesa University's #67 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.