Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
37
Optimistic
36
Base Case
50
Pessimistic
Earnings
$34,088/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk
Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)
ROI
8.4x earnings multiple (3.5x 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 | $552K | $552K | $524K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 8.4x | 8.4x | 8.0x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 3.5x | 3.5x | 3.4x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 70% | 69% | 58% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 37 | 36 | 50 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$65,832
Out-of-state: $156,168 (3.5x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,000
7.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,309
53% growth from Year 1
About Virginia Commonwealth University
A 93% acceptance rate means Virginia Commonwealth University is accessible to most applicants, serving a student body of 20,797 in Richmond, VA.
See all programs and financial aid at Virginia Commonwealth University →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 Virginia Commonwealth University
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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University?
A score of 36/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Social Work. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →