Social Work at Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS · Public · Bachelor's Degree
49 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
49
Optimistic
49
Base Case
55
Pessimistic
Earnings $41,833/yr (14% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)
ROI 11.1x earnings multiple (4.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #71 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 $485K $485K $467K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.1x 11.1x 10.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.4x 4.4x 4.2x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 69% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 49 49 55

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,768
Out-of-state: $111,264 (4.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$71,532
-63% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,500
6.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,230
13% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $41,833/yr, edging above the $36,554 national average for Social Work — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.1x 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 4% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $22,500 represents roughly 6 months of the $41,833 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #71 of 338 nationally, this is a top-5% Social Work program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $47,230 are relatively flat compared to the $41,833 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Kansas State University

Kansas State University has a 79% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 14,835 students in Manhattan, KS.

See all programs and financial aid at Kansas 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

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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 Kansas State 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 Kansas State University's Social Work program stand out?
Ranked #71 of 338 programs nationally, Kansas State 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 →