Home Schools Fort Hays State University Social Work
Public Administration · Social Work Rank #19 of 338

Social Workat Fort Hays State University

Graduates earn $42,413/yr in their first year — about 16.0% above the national Social Work average. Base-case 10-year earnings $482K; scenarios range from $465K to $482K depending on AI disruption.

Hays, KS Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
56 SOLID
57
Optimistic
62
Pessimistic
Earnings
$42,413
1-year post-graduation
ROI
19.9x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$482K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
37% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State University's Social Work graduates start at $42,413/yr — above the $36,554 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With a 21.4x 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 $21,500 against $42,413/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

At #19 of 338 programs, this Social Work program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

The limited growth from $42,413 to $46,993 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.

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
$465K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score62/100
Earnings Multiple20.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$482K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score56/100
Earnings Multiple21.4x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$482K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score57/100
Earnings Multiple21.4x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Fort Hays State 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 Fort Hays State 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 Fort Hays State University

Other top programs at Fort Hays State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Fort Hays State 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 Fort Hays State University

What does a 56/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Social Work at Fort Hays State University?

At 56/100, Fort Hays State University's Social Work program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.