Social Workat University of Southern Maine
Graduates earn $40,692/yr in their first year — about 11.0% above the national Social Work average. Base-case 10-year earnings $521K; scenarios range from $497K to $521K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Southern Maine
At $40,692 per year, Social Work graduates from University of Southern Maine earn slightly above the $36,554 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.9x 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 5% gap from the optimistic case.
The median debt load of $16,693 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
At #56 of 338 nationally, this is a top-5% Social Work program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.
Earnings grow from $40,692 to $51,132 over five years — a 26% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Southern Maine's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Social Work
How University of Southern Maine stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Southern Maine
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Southern Maine, 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 →Frequently asked about Social Work at University of Southern Maine
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Social Work at University of Southern Maine?
A score of 50/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Social Work field.
What makes University of Southern Maine's Social Work program stand out?
Ranked #56 of 338 programs nationally, University of Southern Maine lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.