Social Work at University of Illinois Springfield

Springfield, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
44
Optimistic
43
Base Case
53
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,707/yr (6% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)
ROI 10.2x earnings multiple (5.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #140 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 $501K $501K $480K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.2x 10.2x 9.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.7x 5.7x 5.5x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 69% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 44 43 53

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$49,008
Out-of-state: $88,068 (5.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$35,664
27% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,247
7.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,393
25% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $38,707 per year, Social Work graduates from University of Illinois Springfield earn slightly above the $36,554 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Social Work programs nationally.

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 $23,247 represents roughly 7 months of the $38,707 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #140 of 338 Social Work programs, University of Illinois Springfield scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $38,707 to $48,393 over five years — a 25% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Illinois Springfield

With 84% of applicants admitted, University of Illinois Springfield prioritizes broad access, with a smaller student body of 2,292 in Springfield, IL.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Illinois Springfield →

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 University of Illinois Springfield?
A score of 43/100 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 →