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Social Work at Virginia State University

Petersburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
38 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
38
Optimistic
38
Base Case
52
Pessimistic
Earnings $28,527/yr (-22% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)
ROI 14.3x earnings multiple (6.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #227 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 $559K $559K $529K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.3x 14.3x 13.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.4x 6.4x 6.0x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 69% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 38 38 52

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,020
Out-of-state: $88,024 (6.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$58,212
-49% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$28,281
11.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,442
77% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $28,527/yr fall 22% below the $36,554 national median for Social Work. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 14.3x 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 $28,281 against $28,527/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #227 ranking among 338 Social Work programs places Virginia State University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $28,527-to-$50,442 earnings arc over five years reflects a 77% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Virginia State University

Virginia State University has a 89% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a smaller institution with 4,787 students in Petersburg, VA. Pell Grant recipients make up 71% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Virginia State University →

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

Compare this program → View all 338 schools offering Social Work →

Social Work at Other Schools

University of North Dakota ($49,695) San Francisco State University ($48,750) University of Alaska Fairbanks ($48,151) Seton Hall University ($47,734) Metropolitan State University ($47,637) Bemidji State University ($47,192) Viterbo University ($46,384) Southwest Minnesota State University ($46,368)

Other Majors at Virginia State University

Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians ($65,472) Accounting and Related Services ($46,688) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($35,746) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($34,877) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($34,604) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($30,480) Psychology, General ($28,513) Biology, General ($28,169)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Social Work trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 38/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Social Work at Virginia State University?
At 38/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Social Work programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Is Virginia State University a good choice for Social Work despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Virginia State University'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 →