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Social Work at Henderson State University

Arkadelphia, AR · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $22,458/yr (-39% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)

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

ROI 10.4x earnings multiple (8.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #299 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	$329K	$329K	$337K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	10.4x	10.4x	10.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	8.3x	8.3x	8.5x
Probability of Field Employment	70%	69%	58%
DegreeOutlook Score	31	31	41

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$31,540

Out-of-state: $39,528 (8.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$67,716

-115% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,500

11.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $22,458 place Henderson State University below the $36,554 national median for Social Work — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 10.4x 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 $21,500 debt-to-$22,458 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #299 out of 338 programs, Henderson State University's financial outcomes for Social Work trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Henderson State University

Henderson State University accepts 82% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 1,491 students in Arkadelphia, AR. 48% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Henderson 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 Henderson 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

How does Henderson State University's Social Work program score?

This program scores 31/100 — on the lower end for Social Work. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

Why are Social Work earnings lower at Henderson State University?

Lower starting pay at Henderson State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

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