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Social Work at Missouri Southern State University

Joplin, MO · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $27,936/yr (-24% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)

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

ROI 11.1x earnings multiple (5.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #294 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	$372K	$373K	$374K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.1x	11.1x	11.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.5x	5.6x	5.6x
Probability of Field Employment	70%	69%	58%
DegreeOutlook Score	32	32	46

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$33,600

Out-of-state: $67,200 (5.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$46,612

-39% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,234

9.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $27,936 per year, Social Work graduates from Missouri Southern State University earn below the $36,554 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Social Work programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Social Work's typical career paths, with 24% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a -0% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,234 represents roughly 9 months of the $27,936 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #294 of 338 Social Work programs, Missouri Southern State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Missouri Southern State University

With 97% of applicants admitted, Missouri Southern State University prioritizes broad access, a smaller institution with 3,101 students in Joplin, MO.

See all programs and financial aid at Missouri Southern 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 Missouri Southern State University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Social Work at Missouri Southern State University?

A score of 32/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Social Work. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Can you still earn well with Social Work from Missouri Southern State University?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

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