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Social Work at Indiana University-Northwest

Gary, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
47 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
47
Optimistic
47
Base Case
56
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,652/yr (6% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)
ROI 14.6x earnings multiple (5.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #86 of 338 Social Work programs Top 25%

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 $476K $476K $460K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.6x 14.6x 14.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.4x 5.4x 5.2x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 69% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 47 47 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)
$32,716
Out-of-state: $88,172 (5.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$23,880
27% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
7.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,619
18% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $38,652/yr, edging above the $36,554 national average for Social Work — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The 14.6x 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 $25,000 debt-to-$38,652 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #86 out of 338 programs, Indiana University-Northwest's Social Work program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth is modest: $38,652 to $45,619 over five years (18% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About Indiana University-Northwest

Indiana University-Northwest has a 77% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 2,582 students in Gary, IN. 43% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Indiana University-Northwest →

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

Compare this program → View all 338 schools offering Social Work →

Social Work at Other Schools

University of North Dakota ($49,695) San Francisco State University ($48,750) University of Alaska Fairbanks ($48,151) Seton Hall University ($47,734) Metropolitan State University ($47,637) Bemidji State University ($47,192) Viterbo University ($46,384) Southwest Minnesota State University ($46,368)

Other Majors at Indiana University-Northwest

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($73,335) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($68,086) Dental Support Services and Allied Professions ($57,654) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($48,497) Public Health ($43,356) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($41,295) Business/Commerce, General ($39,957) Health and Medical Administrative Services ($38,620)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Social Work trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

How does Indiana University-Northwest's Social Work program score?
This program scores 47/100 — on the lower end for Social Work. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Why does Indiana University-Northwest rank so high for Social Work?
The #86 ranking out of 338 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →