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Social Work at Luther College

Decorah, IA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
26 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
26
Optimistic
26
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,372/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)
ROI 1.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #332 of 338 Social Work programs

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 $392K $392K $390K
Earnings Multiple 1.9x 1.9x 1.9x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 69% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 26 26 41

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$201,280
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$102,540
49% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
10.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$41,186
36% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Luther College's Social Work graduates start at $30,372/yr, trailing the $36,554 national average by 17%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

At 1.9x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 1% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Social Work career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $27,000 against $30,372/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #332 ranking among 338 Social Work programs places Luther College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About Luther College

A 73% acceptance rate means Luther College is accessible to most applicants, a smaller institution with 1,454 students in Decorah, IA. The average net cost of $102,540 over four years represents a 49% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Luther College →

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

Compare this program → View all 338 schools offering Social Work →

Social Work at Other Schools

University of North Dakota ($49,695) San Francisco State University ($48,750) University of Alaska Fairbanks ($48,151) Seton Hall University ($47,734) Metropolitan State University ($47,637) Bemidji State University ($47,192) Viterbo University ($46,384) Southwest Minnesota State University ($46,368)

Other Majors at Luther College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($75,533) Computer Science ($63,760) Accounting and Related Services ($60,068) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($49,491) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($45,691) Music ($45,367) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($42,926) Communication and Media Studies ($42,012)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Social Work trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 26/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Social Work at Luther College?
At 26/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Social Work programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Is Luther College a good choice for Social Work despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Luther College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →