Social Workat Indiana University-Indianapolis
Graduates earn $41,657/yr in their first year — about 14.0% above the national Social Work average. Base-case 10-year earnings $489K; scenarios range from $471K to $489K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Indiana University-Indianapolis
First-year earnings of $41,657 at Indiana University-Indianapolis come in 14% above the national median of $36,554 for Social Work programs.
The 11.7x 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.
With first-year pay of $41,657 far exceeding the $16,450 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
Ranked #69 out of 338 programs, Indiana University-Indianapolis's Social Work program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.
Earnings growth is modest: $41,657 to $47,703 over five years (15% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Indiana University-Indianapolis's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Social Work
How Indiana University-Indianapolis stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Indiana University-Indianapolis
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Indiana University-Indianapolis, 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 →Frequently asked about Social Work at Indiana University-Indianapolis
How does Indiana University-Indianapolis's Social Work program score?
This program scores 49/100 — on the lower end for Social Work. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Why does Indiana University-Indianapolis rank so high for Social Work?
The #69 ranking out of 338 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.