Program Analysis
Minnesota State University-Mankato's Social Work graduates start at $42,915/yr — above the $36,554 national average, though not by a wide margin.
With a 13.8x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 5% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Social Work career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $19,871 in median debt clears quickly against $42,915 in annual earnings.
At #26 of 338 programs, this Social Work program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.
A 21% earnings increase from $42,915 to $51,856 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.