Social Work at Lamar University

Beaumont, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree
47 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
48
Optimistic
47
Base Case
58
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,593/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)
ROI 14.9x earnings multiple (7.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #93 of 338 Social Work programs Top 50%

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 $517K $517K $494K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.9x 14.9x 14.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.0x 7.0x 6.7x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 69% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 48 47 58

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$34,760
Out-of-state: $73,928 (7.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$45,716
-32% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$31,000
9.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,936
33% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $37,593/yr, Social Work graduates from Lamar University land near the $36,554 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 14.9x 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.

The $31,000 debt-to-$37,593 income ratio translates to about 10 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #93 out of 338 programs, Lamar University's Social Work offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $37,593 to $49,936 shows 33% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Lamar University

With 86% of applicants admitted, Lamar University prioritizes broad access, enrolling 7,945 students in Beaumont, TX. With 44% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Lamar 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

Other Majors at Lamar University

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For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Lamar University's Social Work program score?
This program scores 47/100 — on the lower end for Social Work. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →