Entry Level Salary
$35,500
Median Salary
$57,269
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
30.5%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $2,290,760
Entry (Early)
$35,500
Median (Prime)
$57,269
High (Prime)
$60,000
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-136k
+58k
+81k
$25k / yr
-226k
-32k
-9k
$50k / yr
-316k
-122k
-99k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
37
34
$25k / yr
Never
Never
Never
$50k / yr
Never
Never
Never
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-208%
-30%
-9%
$50k / yr
-145%
-56%
-46%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate38%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.
Top Professions
Social workers, all other
4.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$40,647
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$62,534|$69,480
openings
7,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.9%
Elementary and middle school teachers
4.8% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$43,400
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$46,856|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors
3.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$6,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$52,063|$65,140
openings
31,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.5%
Management occupations
3.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$65,842
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$101,295|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Customer service representatives
3.1% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$70,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$45,020|$42,830
openings
341,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5.5%
Computer systems analysts
2.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$29,263
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$45,020|$103,790
openings
34,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.7%
Counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists
2.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$4,680
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$7,200|$57,480
openings
265,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +7.6%
Postsecondary teachers
2.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$39,113
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$60,174|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Financial managers
1.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$40,518
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$105,010|$161,700
openings
74,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +14.8%
Special education teachers
1.9% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$32,921
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$50,648|$64,270
openings
37,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.4%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| No program variants found for this major. | |||