Program Analysis
Graduates earn $34,748/yr, roughly in line with the $36,554 national median for Social Work. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
A 9.6x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.
The 2% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Social Work career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
At $21,827 against $34,748/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.
A #269 ranking among 338 Social Work programs places Western Kentucky University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.
The limited growth from $34,748 to $40,739 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.