Social Work at University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
50
Optimistic
49
Base Case
59
Pessimistic
Earnings
$38,380/yr (5% vs median)
AI Risk
Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)
ROI
17.1x earnings multiple (5.4x 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 | $499K | $499K | $479K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 17.1x | 17.1x | 16.4x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 5.4x | 5.4x | 5.2x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 70% | 69% | 58% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 50 | 49 | 59 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,268
Out-of-state: $91,940 (5.4x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
6.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,183
26% growth from Year 1
About University of North Carolina Wilmington
With 74% of applicants admitted, University of North Carolina Wilmington prioritizes broad access, enrolling 14,176 students in Wilmington, NC.
See all programs and financial aid at University of North Carolina Wilmington →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
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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
How does University of North Carolina Wilmington's Social Work program score?
This program scores 49/100 — on the lower end for Social Work. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Why does University of North Carolina Wilmington rank so high for Social Work?
The #73 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →