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Social Work at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

Chattanooga, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $27,923/yr (-24% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)

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

ROI 12.2x earnings multiple (6.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #282 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	$495K	$495K	$476K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.2x	12.2x	11.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.8x	6.8x	6.5x
Probability of Field Employment	70%	69%	58%
DegreeOutlook Score	33	33	47

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$40,576

Out-of-state: $72,832 (6.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$51,268

-26% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$17,500

7.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$44,336

59% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga's Social Work graduates start at $27,923/yr, trailing the $36,554 national average by 24%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.2x 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 4% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $17,500 represents roughly 8 months of the $27,923 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #282 of 338 Social Work programs, The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $44,336 show a 59% jump from the $27,923 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

A 77% acceptance rate means The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 9,878 students in Chattanooga, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga →

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 The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

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 The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga?

A score of 33/100 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 The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga?

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 →