Social Work at South Texas College

McAllen, TX · Public · Associate Degree

enrolling 16,131 students in McAllen, TX.

Program Analysis

At $18,336 per year, Social Work graduates from South Texas College earn below the $30,861 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 32.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Social Work programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Social Work's career paths, with 24% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 40% gap from the optimistic case.

This program is one of 9 schools offering Social Work in our dataset — a specialized trade with limited comparison points.

Five-year earnings of $37,160 show a 103% jump from the $18,336 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

41 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
35
Low End
41
Score
41
High End
Earnings $18,336/yr (-41% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$322K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
32.7x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
9 of 9
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$9,840
Out-of-state: $15,000
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$37,160
103% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Social Work graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Social and community service managers $78,240 +6.4% 61%
Social work teachers, postsecondary $76,210 +2.3% 58%
Social workers, all other $69,480 +3.9% 100%
Social and community service managers
$78,240
+6.4% growth 61% AI-proof
Social work teachers, postsecondary
$76,210
+2.3% growth 58% AI-proof
Social workers, all other
$69,480
+3.9% growth 100% AI-proof

View all 9 career paths with full salary data →

Social Work Career Guide

Explore what Social Work graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 9 programs nationwide.

Read the full Social Work career guide →

Compare & Explore

Social Work Overview

Social Work at Other Schools

Other Majors at South Texas College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Social Work at South Texas College?
At 41/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Social Work programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Why are Social Work earnings lower at South Texas College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
How could AI change the job market for Social Work graduates?
The 40% scenario spread reflects genuine uncertainty. Some career paths within Social Work are more exposed than others — the aggregate score blends resistant and vulnerable roles.
Will Social Work graduates from South Texas College find jobs?
With approximately 116,900 annual openings across mapped careers, Social Work offers a very large employment pool. South Texas College graduates enter a market shaped by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →