Social Work at University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
32
Optimistic
32
Base Case
47
Pessimistic
Earnings
$28,262/yr (-23% vs median)
AI Risk
Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)
ROI
12.1x earnings multiple (10.0x 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 | $465K | $465K | $451K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 12.1x | 12.1x | 11.7x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 10.0x | 10.0x | 9.7x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 70% | 69% | 58% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 32 | 32 | 47 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,472
Out-of-state: $46,472 (10.0x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
11.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,536
47% growth from Year 1
About University of Southern Mississippi
With 99% of applicants admitted, University of Southern Mississippi prioritizes broad access, enrolling 9,899 students in Hattiesburg, MS. 47% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.
See all programs and financial aid at University of Southern Mississippi →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
Social Work at Other Schools
Other Majors at University of Southern Mississippi
Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a 32/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Social Work at University of Southern Mississippi?
At 32/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Social Work programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Is University of Southern Mississippi a good choice for Social Work despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If University of Southern Mississippi's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →