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Social Work at Fort Valley State University

Fort Valley, GA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $26,299/yr (-28% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)

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

ROI 25.3x earnings multiple (8.5x out-of-state)

Ranked #155 of 338 Social Work programs Top 50%

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	$546K	$546K	$518K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	25.3x	25.3x	24.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	8.5x	8.5x	8.0x
Probability of Field Employment	70%	69%	58%
DegreeOutlook Score	42	42	56

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$21,568

Out-of-state: $64,456 (8.5x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$46,436

-115% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$31,000

14.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$48,104

83% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $26,299 place Fort Valley State University below the $36,554 national median for Social Work — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 25.3x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 5% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Social Work career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At a 1.2x debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio, loan repayment extends well beyond graduation. Financial aid and income-driven plans become important considerations.

A #155 ranking among 338 Social Work programs places Fort Valley State University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $26,299-to-$48,104 earnings arc over five years reflects a 83% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Fort Valley State University

A 63% admission rate makes Fort Valley State University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, a smaller institution with 2,541 students in Fort Valley, GA. With 72% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Fort Valley 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 Fort Valley 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 does a 42/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Social Work at Fort Valley State University?

At 42/100, 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 Fort Valley State University?

At $31,000 in median debt, graduates carry 14 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.

Is Fort Valley State University a good choice for Social Work despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Fort Valley 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 →