Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $32,514 track close to the $36,554 national median for Social Work programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
The 11.5x 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 3% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $20,000 debt-to-$32,514 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.
At #276 out of 338 programs, East Tennessee State University's financial outcomes for Social Work trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
The five-year earnings trajectory from $32,514 to $42,050 shows 29% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.