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Public Administration · Social Work Rank #9 of 338

Social Workat University of North Dakota

Graduates earn $49,695/yr in their first year — about 36.0% above the national Social Work average. Base-case 10-year earnings $532K; scenarios range from $507K to $532K depending on AI disruption.

Grand Forks, ND Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
60 SOLID
59
Optimistic
62
Pessimistic
Earnings
$49,695
1-year post-graduation
ROI
11.4x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$532K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
37% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota's strong performance in social work reflects a significant regional demand for qualified professionals, particularly across the Upper Midwest. North Dakota's unique demographic and geographic landscape, including rural communities and a focus on healthcare and community services, ensures a consistent need for skilled social workers. Your degree from UND likely benefits from established pipelines into state agencies, regional healthcare systems, and non-profits throughout the Dakotas and Minnesota, where the human element of these roles makes them inherently valuable and less susceptible to automation. This ensures graduates can quickly move into essential, well-compensated positions, often specializing in areas like healthcare or community leadership. To truly leverage this strong foundation, seek out practicum and internship opportunities early on, building connections within the specific sectors where demand is highest.

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
$507K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score62/100
Earnings Multiple11.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$532K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score60/100
Earnings Multiple12.2x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$532K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score59/100
Earnings Multiple12.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of North Dakota'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 North Dakota stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
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
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
WI · Public
60
DW Score
$46K
1-yr earn
14.9x
ROI
Also at University of North Dakota

Other top programs at University of North Dakota

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of North Dakota, 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 North Dakota

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Social Work at University of North Dakota?

A score of 60/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Social Work field.

What makes University of North Dakota's Social Work program stand out?

Ranked #9 of 338 programs nationally, University of North Dakota lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.