Social Work at Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Natchitoches, LA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
38 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
39
Optimistic
38
Base Case
52
Pessimistic
Earnings $33,596/yr (-8% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)
ROI 13.4x earnings multiple (6.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #217 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) 13.4x 13.4x 12.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.0x 6.0x 5.8x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 69% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 39 38 52

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$35,456
Out-of-state: $78,608 (6.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$55,236
-56% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
9.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,157
31% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $33,596/yr, roughly in line with the $36,554 national median for Social Work. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 13.4x 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 $27,000 debt-to-$33,596 income ratio translates to about 10 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #217 out of 338 programs, Northwestern State University of Louisiana's financial outcomes for Social Work trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $33,596 to $44,157 shows 31% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Northwestern State University of Louisiana accepts 94% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 5,840 students in Natchitoches, LA.

See all programs and financial aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana →

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 Northwestern State University of Louisiana

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 Northwestern State University of Louisiana'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 →