Social Work at New Mexico State University-Main Campus

Las Cruces, NM · Public · Bachelor's Degree
38 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
40
Optimistic
38
Base Case
53
Pessimistic
Earnings $33,510/yr (-8% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)
ROI 14.5x earnings multiple (4.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #221 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 $473K $473K $457K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.5x 14.5x 14.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.7x 4.7x 4.5x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 69% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 40 38 53

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$32,588
Out-of-state: $101,084 (4.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$26,988
17% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
7.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,034
31% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $33,510 track close to the $36,554 national median for Social Work programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 14.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 24% task exposure — and the 3% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $21,500 debt-to-$33,510 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #221 out of 338 programs, New Mexico State University-Main Campus's financial outcomes for Social Work trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $33,510 to $44,034 shows 31% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About New Mexico State University-Main Campus

New Mexico State University-Main Campus has a 76% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 11,561 in Las Cruces, NM. Pell Grant recipients make up 40% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at New Mexico State University-Main Campus →

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 New Mexico State University-Main Campus

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

How does New Mexico State University-Main Campus's Social Work program score?
This program scores 38/100 — on the lower end for Social Work. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →