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Social Work at Winston-Salem State University

Winston-Salem, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $29,617/yr (-19% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)

ROI 18.4x earnings multiple (7.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #211 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	$496K	$496K	$477K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	18.4x	18.4x	17.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.1x	7.1x	6.9x
Probability of Field Employment	70%	69%	58%
DegreeOutlook Score	39	39	54

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$26,940

Out-of-state: $69,564 (7.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$53,572

-99% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$25,000

10.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$45,131

52% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $29,617 per year, Social Work graduates from Winston-Salem State University earn below the $36,554 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 18.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Social Work programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Social Work's typical career paths, with 24% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 4% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,000 represents roughly 10 months of the $29,617 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #211 of 338 Social Work programs, Winston-Salem State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $45,131 show a 52% jump from the $29,617 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Winston-Salem State University

Winston-Salem State University accepts 69% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with a smaller student body of 4,244 in Winston-Salem, NC. Pell Grant recipients make up 61% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem State University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Social Work at Winston-Salem State University?

A score of 39/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Social Work. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Can you still earn well with Social Work from Winston-Salem State University?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →