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Social Work at Mississippi State University

Mississippi State, MS · Public · Bachelor's Degree
31 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
31
Optimistic
31
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,242/yr (-20% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)
ROI 11.3x earnings multiple (4.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #303 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 $442K $442K $432K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.3x 11.3x 11.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.2x 4.2x 4.1x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 69% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 31 31 46

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,260
Out-of-state: $106,320 (4.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$62,004
-58% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,750
9.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$39,512
35% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $29,242 place Mississippi State University below the $36,554 national median for Social Work — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 11.3x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 2% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Social Work career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $23,750 against $29,242/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #303 ranking among 338 Social Work programs places Mississippi State University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 35% earnings increase from $29,242 to $39,512 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University accepts 76% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 18,092 in Mississippi State, MS.

See all programs and financial aid at Mississippi State University →

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 Mississippi State University

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($80,896) Chemical Engineering ($78,183) Mechanical Engineering ($75,161) Construction Management ($72,712) Computer Engineering ($72,529) Industrial Engineering ($70,703) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($69,056) Engineering, Other ($68,045)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Social Work trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 31/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Social Work at Mississippi State University?
At 31/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Social Work programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Is Mississippi State University a good choice for Social Work despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Mississippi State University'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 →