Program Analysis
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale's Social Work program produces graduates earning $34,664/yr — within striking distance of the $36,554 national average for this field.
A 9.3x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.
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 $27,000 against $34,664/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.
A #241 ranking among 338 Social Work programs places Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.
A 34% earnings increase from $34,664 to $46,380 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.