Social Work at Plymouth State University

Plymouth, NH · Public · Bachelor's Degree
45 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
45
Optimistic
45
Base Case
51
Pessimistic
Earnings $41,451/yr (13% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)
ROI 8.3x earnings multiple (4.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #110 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 $481K $481K $464K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.3x 8.3x 8.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.7x 4.7x 4.5x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 69% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 45 45 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)
$58,232
Out-of-state: $101,992 (4.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$78,740
-35% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
7.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,700
13% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $41,451/yr, edging above the $36,554 national average for Social Work — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 8.3x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

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 4% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,000 represents roughly 8 months of the $41,451 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #110 of 338 Social Work programs, Plymouth State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $46,700 are relatively flat compared to the $41,451 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Plymouth State University

Plymouth State University has a 91% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a smaller student body of 3,298 in Plymouth, NH.

See all programs and financial aid at Plymouth 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

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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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Social Work at Plymouth State University?
A score of 45/100 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 →