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Social Work at Saint Edward's University

Austin, TX · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
25 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
26
Optimistic
25
Base Case
39
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,200/yr (-6% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)
ROI 2.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #336 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 $511K $510K $489K
Earnings Multiple 2.5x 2.5x 2.4x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 69% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 26 25 39

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$205,536
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$94,544
54% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,542
8.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,185
41% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $34,200/yr, roughly in line with the $36,554 national median for Social Work. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

At 2.5x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 4% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Social Work career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $24,542 against $34,200/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #336 ranking among 338 Social Work programs places Saint Edward's University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 41% earnings increase from $34,200 to $48,185 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Saint Edward's University

Saint Edward's University accepts 84% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a smaller student body of 2,729 in Austin, TX. The average net cost of $94,544 over four years represents a 54% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Saint Edward's 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

Compare this program → View all 338 schools offering Social Work →

Social Work at Other Schools

University of North Dakota ($49,695) San Francisco State University ($48,750) University of Alaska Fairbanks ($48,151) Seton Hall University ($47,734) Metropolitan State University ($47,637) Bemidji State University ($47,192) Viterbo University ($46,384) Southwest Minnesota State University ($46,368)

Other Majors at Saint Edward's University

Computer Science ($76,093) Accounting and Related Services ($59,382) Finance and Financial Management Services ($55,177) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($52,758) International Business ($51,843) Marketing ($49,632) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($46,569) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($36,829)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Social Work trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 25/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Social Work at Saint Edward's University?
At 25/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Social Work programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What do students actually pay for Social Work at Saint Edward's University?
The 54% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $205,536. At a net cost of $94,544, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →