Social Work at Oakland University

Rochester Hills, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
43
Base Case
52
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,446/yr (5% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)
ROI 8.9x earnings multiple (5.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #144 of 338 Social Work programs Top 50%

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 $523K $523K $499K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.9x 8.9x 8.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.6x 5.6x 5.4x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 69% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 43 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)
$58,776
Out-of-state: $92,752 (5.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$54,336
8% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
7.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,800
32% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $38,446 at Oakland University come in 5% above the national median of $36,554 for Social Work programs.

At 8.9x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 24% task exposure — and the 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $25,000 debt-to-$38,446 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #144 out of 338 programs, Oakland University's Social Work offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $38,446 to $50,800 shows 32% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Oakland University

Oakland University accepts 70% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 12,450 in Rochester Hills, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at Oakland 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

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Explore the Trade Alternative

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

How does Oakland University's Social Work program score?
This program scores 43/100 — 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 →