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Social Work at University of Nebraska at Kearney

Kearney, NE · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $39,218/yr (7% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)

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

ROI 13.4x earnings multiple (7.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #109 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	$445K	$445K	$434K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	13.4x	13.4x	13.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.8x	7.8x	7.6x
Probability of Field Employment	70%	69%	58%
DegreeOutlook Score	46	45	54

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$33,208

Out-of-state: $57,040 (7.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$65,952

-99% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,000

5.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$41,982

7% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Nebraska at Kearney's Social Work graduates start at $39,218/yr — above the $36,554 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With a 13.4x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 2% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Social Work career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $19,000 in median debt clears quickly against $39,218 in annual earnings.

A #109 ranking among 338 Social Work programs places University of Nebraska at Kearney in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The limited growth from $39,218 to $41,982 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.

About University of Nebraska at Kearney

A 86% acceptance rate means University of Nebraska at Kearney is accessible to most applicants, a compact campus enrolling 4,130 students in Kearney, NE.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Nebraska at Kearney →

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 University of Nebraska at Kearney

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 does a 45/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Social Work at University of Nebraska at Kearney?

At 45/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Social Work programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

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