Social Work Degree in Lexington, KY — Salary & ROI 2026
Social Work degree analysis for Lexington, KY. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$54K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$59K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.7 yrs
in Lexington
Cost of Living
107
index (100 = avg)
Social Work in Lexington, KY Overview
Lexington, Kentucky (pop. 322,570) has 14 colleges offering Social Work programs. The local cost of living index of 107 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,265/month. Social Work has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Case Management and Counseling skills. The adjusted starting salary in Lexington is approximately $53,500.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$12,360/yr
Private Tuition
$42,200/yr
Room & Board
$10,700/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,397/yr
Unemployment
6.4%
Graduation Rate
65%
Social Work Salary in Lexington (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lexington's cost of living index of 107 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Social Work salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Lexington adjustment factor: 1.07x based on the local cost of living index.
Social Work ROI Calculator for Lexington
Estimate your return on investment for a Social Work degree using local Lexington tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,360 | Private avg: $42,200
Lexington avg aid: $8,397/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$92,240
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,050
vs HS diploma in Lexington
ROI Payback Period
5.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lexington
$207,360
Lifetime earnings premium ($299,600) minus total education cost ($92,240)
Student Loan Payoff for Social Work in Lexington
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lexington for Social Work
University of Kentucky
public
$12,360/yr
$49,440 total
Transylvania University
private
$42,200/yr
$168,800 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
$4,680/yr
Top Employers for Social Work in Lexington
Lexington offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Social Work graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lexington Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Social Work Job Titles
Social Work in Nearby Kentucky Cities
Other Social Sciences Majors in Lexington
International Relations
$54K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$51K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$54K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$54K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$54K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$54K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$47K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$54K starting · 5 yr ROI
Social Work Degree in Lexington — 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 Lexington.