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Social Work at Southwest Minnesota State University

Marshall, MN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
54 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
54
Optimistic
54
Base Case
57
Pessimistic
Earnings $46,368/yr (27% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)
ROI 11.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #34 of 338 Social Work programs Top 10%

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 $483K $483K $466K
Earnings Multiple 11.7x 11.7x 11.3x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 69% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 54 54 57

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$41,216
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,040
-43% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,740
3% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University's Social Work program earn $46,368/yr in their first year — 27% above the $36,554 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

The 11.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 24% task exposure — and the 4% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

A #34 ranking out of 338 Social Work programs nationally puts Southwest Minnesota State University in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

Earnings growth is modest: $46,368 to $47,740 over five years (3% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About Southwest Minnesota State University

With a 69% acceptance rate, Southwest Minnesota State University is moderately selective, a compact campus enrolling 2,045 students in Marshall, MN.

See all programs and financial aid at Southwest Minnesota 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

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) University of the District of Columbia ($45,973)

Other Majors at Southwest Minnesota State University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($71,933) Agricultural Business and Management ($49,521) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($49,245) Marketing ($48,939) Finance and Financial Management Services ($47,734) Special Education and Teaching ($44,510) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($43,875) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($41,333)

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

How does Southwest Minnesota State University's Social Work program score?
This program scores 54/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Social Work graduates.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →