Program Analysis
Graduates earn $44,015/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 12.4x 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 5% gap from the optimistic case.
At $21,917 in median debt against $44,015 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.
Ranked #23 of 338 programs, Metropolitan State University of Denver's Social Work program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.
Earnings grow from $44,015 to $53,547 over five years — a 22% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.