Home › Nebraska Wesleyan University › Social Work

Social Work at Nebraska Wesleyan University

Lincoln, NE · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
36 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
36
Optimistic
36
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings $40,080/yr (10% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)
ROI 3.1x earnings multiple
Ranked #251 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 $511K $511K $489K
Earnings Multiple 3.1x 3.1x 2.9x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 69% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 36 36 43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$166,632
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$92,560
44% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,125
7.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,893
24% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $40,080/yr, edging above the $36,554 national average for Social Work — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The 3.1x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 24% task exposure — and the 4% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $24,125 debt-to-$40,080 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #251 out of 338 programs, Nebraska Wesleyan University's financial outcomes for Social Work trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $40,080 to $49,893 shows 24% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Nebraska Wesleyan University

Nebraska Wesleyan University has a 84% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 1,514 students in Lincoln, NE. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $92,560 — 44% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Nebraska Wesleyan 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

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 Nebraska Wesleyan University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($76,333) Accounting and Related Services ($60,923) Business/Commerce, General ($49,372) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($42,988) Communication and Media Studies ($41,188) Psychology, General ($35,540) Health and Physical Education/Fitness ($28,791) Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft ($23,649)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Social Work trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 Nebraska Wesleyan University's Social Work program score?
This program scores 36/100 — on the lower end for Social Work. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →