Social Work at West Virginia State University
Institute, WV · Public · Bachelor's Degree
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)
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)
Median Debt at Graduation
$31,000
12.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,174
40% growth from Year 1
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
Compare & Explore
Social Work at Other Schools
Other Majors at West Virginia State University
Consider the Trade Route?
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 →