Social Work at Shaw University

Raleigh, NC · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
31 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
32
Optimistic
31
Base Case
47
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,138/yr (-15% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)
ROI 7.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #305 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 $526K $526K $501K
Earnings Multiple 7.7x 7.7x 7.3x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 69% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 32 31 47

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$68,704
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$56,332
18% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$29,836
11.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,588
56% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $31,138/yr, roughly in line with the $36,554 national median for Social Work. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 7.7x 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 5% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $29,836 represents roughly 11 months of the $31,138 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #305 of 338 Social Work programs, Shaw University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $48,588 show a 56% jump from the $31,138 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Shaw University

Shaw University accepts 30% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, a smaller institution with 839 students in Raleigh, NC. Pell Grant recipients make up 65% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Shaw 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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Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Social Work at Shaw University?
A score of 31/100 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 →