Social Work at George Mason University

Fairfax, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
49 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
50
Optimistic
49
Base Case
59
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,559/yr (5% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)
ROI 11.2x earnings multiple (3.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #75 of 338 Social Work programs Top 25%

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 $622K $621K $581K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.3x 11.2x 10.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.9x 3.9x 3.7x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 69% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 50 49 59

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$55,260
Out-of-state: $157,588 (3.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,148
-32% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,250
6.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$60,768
58% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $38,559 at George Mason University come in 5% above the national median of $36,554 for Social Work programs.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Social Work programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Social Work's typical career paths, with 24% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 7% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $38,559 far exceeding the $19,250 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #75 of 338 nationally, this is a top-5% Social Work program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $60,768 show a 58% jump from the $38,559 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About George Mason University

George Mason University accepts 89% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, one of the larger campuses at 27,083 students in Fairfax, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at George Mason 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

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Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Social Work at George Mason University?
A score of 49/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Social Work. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
What makes George Mason University's Social Work program stand out?
Ranked #75 of 338 programs nationally, George Mason University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →