Social Work Degree in Kenosha, WI — Salary & ROI 2026
Social Work degree analysis for Kenosha, WI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$53K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$58K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5 yrs
in Kenosha
Cost of Living
106
index (100 = avg)
Social Work in Kenosha, WI Overview
Kenosha, Wisconsin (pop. 99,986) has 8 colleges offering Social Work programs. The local cost of living index of 106 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $668/month. Social Work has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Case Management and Counseling skills. The adjusted starting salary in Kenosha is approximately $53,000.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
8
Public Tuition
$7,620/yr
Private Tuition
$37,840/yr
Room & Board
$12,059/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,562/yr
Unemployment
4.6%
Graduation Rate
49%
Social Work Salary in Kenosha (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Kenosha's cost of living index of 106 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Social Work salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Kenosha adjustment factor: 1.06x based on the local cost of living index.
Social Work ROI Calculator for Kenosha
Estimate your return on investment for a Social Work degree using local Kenosha tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,620 | Private avg: $37,840
Kenosha avg aid: $15,562/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$78,716
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,900
vs HS diploma in Kenosha
ROI Payback Period
5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Kenosha
$218,084
Lifetime earnings premium ($296,800) minus total education cost ($78,716)
Student Loan Payoff for Social Work in Kenosha
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Kenosha for Social Work
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
public
$7,620/yr
$30,480 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Gateway Technical College
$4,620/yr
Top Employers for Social Work in Kenosha
Kenosha offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Social Work graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Kenosha Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Social Work Job Titles
Social Work in Nearby Wisconsin Cities
Milwaukee, WI
$47K starting · COL 94
33 colleges
Madison, WI
$45K starting · COL 89
11 colleges
Green Bay, WI
$43K starting · COL 86
6 colleges
Racine, WI
$43K starting · COL 85.8
4 colleges
Appleton, WI
$40K starting · COL 79
6 colleges
Waukesha, WI
$45K starting · COL 90.5
3 colleges
Eau Claire, WI
$43K starting · COL 86
2 colleges
Oshkosh, WI
$54K starting · COL 107
3 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Kenosha
International Relations
$53K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$51K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$53K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$53K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$53K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$53K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$47K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$53K starting · 5 yr ROI
Social Work Degree in Kenosha — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Social Work ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Kenosha.