Social Work at University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
49
Optimistic
48
Base Case
57
Pessimistic
Earnings
$39,285/yr (7% vs median)
AI Risk
Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)
ROI
12.2x earnings multiple (4.1x out-of-state)
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 | $536K | $536K | $510K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 12.2x | 12.2x | 11.6x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 4.1x | 4.1x | 3.9x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 70% | 69% | 58% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 49 | 48 | 57 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,856
Out-of-state: $131,708 (4.1x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,427
6.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,381
33% growth from Year 1
About University of Iowa
University of Iowa accepts 85% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving a student body of 21,691 in Iowa City, IA.
See all programs and financial aid at University of Iowa →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
Compare & Explore
Social Work at Other Schools
Other Majors at University of Iowa
Consider the Trade Route?
Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Social Work at University of Iowa?
A score of 48/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Social Work. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
What makes University of Iowa's Social Work program stand out?
Ranked #81 of 338 programs nationally, University of Iowa lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →