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Social Work at West Virginia State University

Institute, WV · Public · Bachelor's Degree
33 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
34
Optimistic
33
Base Case
49
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,060/yr (-18% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)
ROI 12.9x earnings multiple (8.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #285 of 338 Social Work programs

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) 12.8x 12.9x 12.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.0x 8.0x 7.7x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 69% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 34 33 49

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$36,196
Out-of-state: $58,492 (8.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$40,764
-13% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$31,000
12.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,174
40% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $30,060 place West Virginia State University below the $36,554 national median for Social Work — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 12.9x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 3% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Social Work career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At a 1.0x debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio, loan repayment extends well beyond graduation. Financial aid and income-driven plans become important considerations.

A #285 ranking among 338 Social Work programs places West Virginia State University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 40% earnings increase from $30,060 to $42,174 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About West Virginia State University

West Virginia State University accepts 96% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 1,328 students in Institute, WV.

See all programs and financial aid at West 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
View all 9 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 338 schools offering Social Work →

Social Work at Other Schools

University of North Dakota ($49,695) San Francisco State University ($48,750) University of Alaska Fairbanks ($48,151) Seton Hall University ($47,734) Metropolitan State University ($47,637) Bemidji State University ($47,192) Viterbo University ($46,384) Southwest Minnesota State University ($46,368)

Other Majors at West Virginia State University

Business Administration, Management and Operations ($43,709) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($42,197) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($41,319) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($39,056) Psychology, General ($28,185) Communication and Media Studies ($26,351)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Social Work trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 33/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Social Work at West Virginia State University?
At 33/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Social Work programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the payoff timeline for a Social Work degree from West Virginia State University?
At $31,000 in median debt, graduates carry 12 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Is West Virginia State University a good choice for Social Work despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If West 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 →