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

Program Analysis

The financial outlook for this social work program is more challenging than many other fields, and even some similar programs. Your career prospects will likely be shaped by the local economy in and around Decorah, a smaller market where social service roles, while critical, often follow established public and non-profit salary structures. While the program provides foundational skills, large-scale recruiting pipelines to higher-paying urban healthcare networks or specialized agencies might be less direct. You'll likely find fulfilling work in local county human services, schools, or community mental health organizations, but these roles often have limited salary growth without advanced degrees or relocating. If your passion for social work aligns with Luther's mission, aggressively pursue diverse internships and explore accelerated MSW programs to enhance your earning potential and expand your geographic options after graduation.

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

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

Social Work at Other Schools

Other Majors at Luther College

Consider the Trade Route?

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 →