Social Work at Virginia State University
Petersburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
38
Optimistic
38
Base Case
52
Pessimistic
Earnings
$28,527/yr (-22% vs median)
AI Risk
Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)
ROI
14.3x earnings multiple (6.4x 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 | $559K | $559K | $529K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 14.3x | 14.3x | 13.6x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 6.4x | 6.4x | 6.0x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 70% | 69% | 58% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 38 | 38 | 52 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,020
Out-of-state: $88,024 (6.4x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$28,281
11.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,442
77% growth from Year 1
About Virginia State University
Virginia State University has a 89% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a smaller institution with 4,787 students in Petersburg, VA. Pell Grant recipients make up 71% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.
See all programs and financial aid at Virginia State 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 State 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 does a 38/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Social Work at Virginia State University?
At 38/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Social Work programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Is Virginia State University a good choice for Social Work despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Virginia State University'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 →