Home Schools University of Nevada-Las Vegas Social Work
Public Administration · Social Work Rank #5 of 338

Social Workat University of Nevada-Las Vegas

Graduates earn $44,427/yr in their first year — about 22.0% above the national Social Work average. Base-case 10-year earnings $601K; scenarios range from $564K to $601K depending on AI disruption.

Las Vegas, NV Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
62 SOLID
62
Optimistic
66
Pessimistic
Earnings
$44,427
1-year post-graduation
ROI
15.6x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$601K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
37% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Nevada-Las Vegas

UNLV's Social Work program stands out because it's deeply integrated into the unique, high-demand labor market of Las Vegas. This isn't just a growing city; it's a dynamic environment with significant needs in healthcare, mental health, and community services, driven by its transient population, tourism economy, and expanding residential areas. Your education here directly connects you to critical local employers like major hospital systems, county social services, and numerous non-profits addressing addiction, homelessness, and family support. The program's strong regional reputation and practical training prepare you for the diverse roles needed, including management and specialized healthcare positions. You'll enter a field where hands-on experience and local networks are paramount. For the best long-term outcomes, actively seek out specific internship placements that align with your desired specialization, whether that's clinical practice or community advocacy.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$564K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score66/100
Earnings Multiple15.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$601K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score62/100
Earnings Multiple16.4x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$601K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score62/100
Earnings Multiple16.4x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Nevada-Las Vegas's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Social Work graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Social and community service managers
+6.4% 10-yr growth · 18,600 openings/yr
$78,240/yr
Moderate
2
Social work teachers, postsecondary
+2.3% 10-yr growth · 1,300 openings/yr
$76,210/yr
Moderate
3
Social workers, all other
+3.9% 10-yr growth · 7,000 openings/yr
$69,480/yr
Low
4
Healthcare social workers
+7.7% 10-yr growth · 18,400 openings/yr
$68,090/yr
Moderate
5
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists
+2.6% 10-yr growth · 7,900 openings/yr
$64,520/yr
Moderate
6
Marriage and family therapists
+12.6% 10-yr growth · 7,700 openings/yr
$63,780/yr
Low
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Social Work

How University of Nevada-Las Vegas stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of North Dakota
ND · Public
60
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
11.4x
ROI
Top score
San Francisco State University
CA · Public
69
DW Score
$49K
1-yr earn
21.5x
ROI
University of Alaska Fairbanks
AK · Public
54
DW Score
$48K
1-yr earn
11.4x
ROI
Seton Hall University
NJ · Private nonprofit
42
DW Score
$48K
1-yr earn
1.5x
ROI
Metropolitan State University
MN · Public
62
DW Score
$48K
1-yr earn
13.6x
ROI
Also at University of Nevada-Las Vegas

Other top programs at University of Nevada-Las Vegas

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Nevada-Las Vegas, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Social Work offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Social Work trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Social Work at University of Nevada-Las Vegas

How does University of Nevada-Las Vegas's Social Work program score?

This program scores 62/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Social Work graduates.

Why does University of Nevada-Las Vegas rank so high for Social Work?

The #5 ranking out of 338 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.