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Public Administration · Social Work Rank #4 of 338

Social Workat Metropolitan State University

Graduates earn $47,637/yr in their first year — about 30.0% above the national Social Work average. Base-case 10-year earnings $561K; scenarios range from $531K to $562K depending on AI disruption.

Saint Paul, MN Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
62 SOLID
62
Optimistic
64
Pessimistic
Earnings
$47,637
1-year post-graduation
ROI
13.6x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$561K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
37% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Metropolitan State University

Metropolitan State's social work program consistently achieves strong outcomes, largely driven by its strategic location within the robust Twin Cities labor market. The Minneapolis-Saint Paul area boasts an extensive network of hospitals, county human services agencies, and non-profits constantly seeking qualified social workers. This creates a high demand that often translates into competitive starting salaries and clear advancement opportunities, particularly in specialized areas like healthcare or community service management. The program likely leverages strong local partnerships for its field placements, providing invaluable hands-on experience and direct recruitment pipelines into these local employers. To maximize your potential, actively seek diverse internship experiences that align with your long-term career interests, as these connections are paramount for securing desirable post-graduation roles.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$531K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score64/100
Earnings Multiple13.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$561K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score62/100
Earnings Multiple14.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$562K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score62/100
Earnings Multiple14.4x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Metropolitan State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Social Work graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Social and community service managers
+6.4% 10-yr growth · 18,600 openings/yr
$78,240/yr
Moderate
2
Social work teachers, postsecondary
+2.3% 10-yr growth · 1,300 openings/yr
$76,210/yr
Moderate
3
Social workers, all other
+3.9% 10-yr growth · 7,000 openings/yr
$69,480/yr
Low
4
Healthcare social workers
+7.7% 10-yr growth · 18,400 openings/yr
$68,090/yr
Moderate
5
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists
+2.6% 10-yr growth · 7,900 openings/yr
$64,520/yr
Moderate
6
Marriage and family therapists
+12.6% 10-yr growth · 7,700 openings/yr
$63,780/yr
Low
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Social Work

How Metropolitan State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of North Dakota
ND · Public
60
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
11.4x
ROI
Top score
San Francisco State University
CA · Public
69
DW Score
$49K
1-yr earn
21.5x
ROI
University of Alaska Fairbanks
AK · Public
54
DW Score
$48K
1-yr earn
11.4x
ROI
Seton Hall University
NJ · Private nonprofit
42
DW Score
$48K
1-yr earn
1.5x
ROI
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
WI · Public
60
DW Score
$46K
1-yr earn
14.9x
ROI
Also at Metropolitan State University

Other top programs at Metropolitan State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Metropolitan State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Social Work offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Social Work trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Social Work at Metropolitan State University

What does a 62/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Social Work at Metropolitan State University?

At 62/100, Metropolitan State University's Social Work program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Is Metropolitan State University one of the best schools for Social Work?

Among 338 Social Work programs, Metropolitan State University's #4 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.