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Social Work at University of North Carolina Wilmington

Wilmington, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $38,380/yr (5% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)

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

ROI 17.1x earnings multiple (5.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #73 of 338 Social Work programs Top 25%

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	$499K	$499K	$479K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	17.1x	17.1x	16.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.4x	5.4x	5.2x
Probability of Field Employment	70%	69%	58%
DegreeOutlook Score	50	49	59

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$29,268

Out-of-state: $91,940 (5.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$77,888

-166% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,500

6.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$48,183

26% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $38,380/yr, Social Work graduates from University of North Carolina Wilmington land near the $36,554 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 17.1x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

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

The $19,500 debt-to-$38,380 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #73 out of 338 programs, University of North Carolina Wilmington's Social Work program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $38,380 to $48,183 shows 26% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of North Carolina Wilmington

With 74% of applicants admitted, University of North Carolina Wilmington prioritizes broad access, enrolling 14,176 students in Wilmington, NC.

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

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 Wilmington

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of North Carolina Wilmington's Social Work program score?

This program scores 49/100 — on the lower end for Social Work. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

Why does University of North Carolina Wilmington rank so high for Social Work?

The #73 ranking out of 338 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.

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