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Social Work at University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $28,425/yr (-22% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)

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

ROI 19.2x earnings multiple (6.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #177 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	$554K	$554K	$525K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	19.2x	19.2x	18.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.3x	6.3x	6.0x
Probability of Field Employment	70%	69%	58%
DegreeOutlook Score	41	41	56

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$28,856

Out-of-state: $87,504 (6.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$58,980

-104% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$22,500

9.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$49,921

76% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $28,425 place University of North Carolina at Charlotte below the $36,554 national median for Social Work — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 19.2x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 5% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Social Work career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $22,500 against $28,425/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #177 ranking among 338 Social Work programs places University of North Carolina at Charlotte in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $28,425-to-$49,921 earnings arc over five years reflects a 76% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About University of North Carolina at Charlotte

University of North Carolina at Charlotte accepts 80% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving a student body of 23,567 in Charlotte, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of North Carolina at Charlotte →

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 North Carolina at Charlotte

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 41/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Social Work at University of North Carolina at Charlotte?

At 41/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Social Work programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Is University of North Carolina at Charlotte a good choice for Social Work despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If University of North Carolina at Charlotte's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.

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