Social Work at Missouri Western State University

Saint Joseph, MO · Public · Bachelor's Degree
36 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
37
Optimistic
36
Base Case
51
Pessimistic
Earnings $33,532/yr (-8% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)
ROI 12.1x earnings multiple (6.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #248 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 $474K $474K $458K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.1x 12.1x 11.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.8x 6.8x 6.5x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 69% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 37 36 51

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,200
Out-of-state: $70,000 (6.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$50,552
-29% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
9.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,133
32% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Missouri Western State University's Social Work program produces graduates earning $33,532/yr — within striking distance of the $36,554 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.1x 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 3% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,000 represents roughly 10 months of the $33,532 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #248 of 338 Social Work programs, Missouri Western State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $33,532 to $44,133 over five years — a 32% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Missouri Western State University

a compact campus enrolling 2,372 students in Saint Joseph, MO.

See all programs and financial aid at Missouri Western 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

Social Work at Other Schools

Other Majors at Missouri Western State University

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Social Work at Missouri Western State University?
A score of 36/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Social Work. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →