Social Work at Western Connecticut State University

Danbury, CT · Public · Bachelor's Degree
40 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
41
Optimistic
40
Base Case
55
Pessimistic
Earnings $33,033/yr (-10% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)
ROI 11.7x earnings multiple (9.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #185 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 $598K $598K $562K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.7x 11.7x 11.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.3x 9.3x 8.7x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 69% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 41 40 55

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$51,052
Out-of-state: $64,380 (9.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$74,468
-46% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
7.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,137
70% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $33,033/yr, roughly in line with the $36,554 national median for Social Work. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 11.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 24% task exposure — and the 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $21,500 debt-to-$33,033 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #185 out of 338 programs, Western Connecticut State University's financial outcomes for Social Work trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $33,033 to $56,137 over five years (70% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Western Connecticut State University

Western Connecticut State University accepts 81% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a smaller institution with 3,434 students in Danbury, CT.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Connecticut 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

Social Work at Other Schools

Other Majors at Western Connecticut 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

How does Western Connecticut State University's Social Work program score?
This program scores 40/100 — on the lower end for Social Work. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →