Social Work at Rutgers University-Newark

Newark, NJ · Public · Bachelor's Degree
45 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
46
Optimistic
45
Base Case
53
Pessimistic
Earnings $39,936/yr (9% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)
ROI 8.2x earnings multiple (3.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #113 of 338 Social Work programs Top 50%

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 $544K $544K $517K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.2x 8.2x 7.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.8x 3.8x 3.7x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 69% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 46 45 53

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$66,344
Out-of-state: $141,392 (3.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$77,628
-17% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,692
6.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,428
34% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Rutgers University-Newark's Social Work graduates start at $39,936/yr — above the $36,554 national average, though not by a wide margin.

At 8.2x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 24% task exposure — and the 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $22,692 debt-to-$39,936 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #113 out of 338 programs, Rutgers University-Newark's Social Work offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $39,936 to $53,428 shows 34% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Rutgers University-Newark

A 79% acceptance rate means Rutgers University-Newark is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 7,187 in Newark, NJ. 56% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Rutgers University-Newark →

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 Rutgers University-Newark

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

How does Rutgers University-Newark's Social Work program score?
This program scores 45/100 — 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 →