Social Work at Grand Valley State University

Allendale, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
41 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
41
Optimistic
41
Base Case
51
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,233/yr (2% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)
ROI 8.9x earnings multiple (6.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #173 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 $519K $519K $496K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.9x 8.9x 8.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.2x 6.2x 6.0x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 69% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 41 41 51

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$58,512
Out-of-state: $83,280 (6.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$68,384
-17% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,216
8.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,014
34% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Grand Valley State University's Social Work program produces graduates earning $37,233/yr — within striking distance of the $36,554 national average for this field.

A 8.9x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 4% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Social Work career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $25,216 against $37,233/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #173 ranking among 338 Social Work programs places Grand Valley State University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 34% earnings increase from $37,233 to $50,014 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Grand Valley State University

A 95% acceptance rate means Grand Valley State University is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 19,073 in Allendale, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at Grand 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 Grand Valley State University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 41/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Social Work at Grand Valley State University?
At 41/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Social Work programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →