Social Work at University of Wisconsin-River Falls

River Falls, WI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
60 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
60
Optimistic
60
Base Case
64
Pessimistic
Earnings $45,870/yr (25% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)
ROI 15.8x earnings multiple (8.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #10 of 338 Social Work programs Top 5%

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 $543K $543K $516K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.8x 15.8x 15.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.0x 8.0x 7.6x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 69% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 60 60 64

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$34,424
Out-of-state: $67,548 (8.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$58,856
-71% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,632
5.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,835
20% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Wisconsin-River Falls Social Work graduates command $45,870/yr out of the gate, well above the $36,554 national median. That 25% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The 15.8x 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 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $22,632 in median debt clears quickly against $45,870 in annual earnings.

Ranked #10 out of 338 programs, University of Wisconsin-River Falls's Social Work program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth is modest: $45,870 to $54,835 over five years (20% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About University of Wisconsin-River Falls

A 82% acceptance rate means University of Wisconsin-River Falls is accessible to most applicants, a compact campus enrolling 4,152 students in River Falls, WI.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Wisconsin-River Falls →

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

Compare Social Work

Other Majors at University of Wisconsin-River Falls

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 University of Wisconsin-River Falls's Social Work program score?
This program scores 60/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Social Work graduates.
Why does University of Wisconsin-River Falls rank so high for Social Work?
The #10 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 →