Social Work at University of Memphis

Memphis, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
40 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
41
Optimistic
40
Base Case
52
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,220/yr (-1% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)
ROI 11.7x earnings multiple (8.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #195 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 $484K $484K $466K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.7x 11.7x 11.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.2x 8.2x 7.9x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 69% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 41 40 52

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$41,376
Out-of-state: $59,136 (8.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$53,012
-28% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$31,250
10.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,928
27% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $36,220/yr, Social Work graduates from University of Memphis land near the $36,554 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.7x 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 $31,250 represents roughly 10 months of the $36,220 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #195 of 338 Social Work programs, University of Memphis falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $36,220 to $45,928 over five years — a 27% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Memphis

With 93% of applicants admitted, University of Memphis prioritizes broad access, serving 13,645 students in Memphis, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Memphis →

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

Other Majors at University of Memphis

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 Memphis?
A score of 40/100 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 →