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Social Work at Western Illinois University

Macomb, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
43
Optimistic
42
Base Case
51
Pessimistic
Earnings $39,641/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)
ROI 8.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #156 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 $491K $491K $472K
Earnings Multiple 8.2x 8.2x 7.9x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 69% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 42 51

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$59,808
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$46,368
22% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$28,369
8.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,489
20% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $39,641/yr, edging above the $36,554 national average for Social Work — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

A 8.2x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 4% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Social Work career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $28,369 against $39,641/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #156 ranking among 338 Social Work programs places Western Illinois University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The limited growth from $39,641 to $47,489 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.

About Western Illinois University

Western Illinois University has a 75% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 4,939 students in Macomb, IL.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Illinois 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 Western Illinois University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($74,490) Construction Management ($70,789) Engineering, General ($66,112) Engineering Technology, General ($64,762) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($62,578) Accounting and Related Services ($49,900) Agriculture, General ($48,509) Human Resources Management and Services ($47,467)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Social Work trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 42/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Social Work at Western Illinois University?
At 42/100, 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 →