Social Work Degree in Lincoln, NE — Salary & ROI 2026
Social Work degree analysis for Lincoln, NE. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$43K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$47K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.2 yrs
in Lincoln
Cost of Living
85
index (100 = avg)
Social Work in Lincoln, NE Overview
Lincoln, Nebraska (pop. 291,082) has 9 colleges offering Social Work programs. The local cost of living index of 85 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $867/month. Social Work has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Case Management and Counseling skills. The adjusted starting salary in Lincoln is approximately $42,500.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
9
Public Tuition
$9,242/yr
Private Tuition
$36,730/yr
Room & Board
$10,611/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,317/yr
Unemployment
5.9%
Graduation Rate
57%
Social Work Salary in Lincoln (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lincoln's cost of living index of 85 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Social Work salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Lincoln adjustment factor: 0.85x based on the local cost of living index.
Social Work ROI Calculator for Lincoln
Estimate your return on investment for a Social Work degree using local Lincoln tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,242 | Private avg: $36,730
Lincoln avg aid: $13,317/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$79,412
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,750
vs HS diploma in Lincoln
ROI Payback Period
6.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lincoln
$158,588
Lifetime earnings premium ($238,000) minus total education cost ($79,412)
Student Loan Payoff for Social Work in Lincoln
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lincoln for Social Work
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
public
$9,242/yr
$36,968 total
Nebraska Wesleyan University
private
$36,730/yr
$146,920 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Southeast Community College
$3,540/yr
Top Employers for Social Work in Lincoln
Lincoln offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Social Work graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lincoln Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Social Work Job Titles
Social Work in Nearby Nebraska Cities
Other Social Sciences Majors in Lincoln
International Relations
$43K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$41K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$43K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$43K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$43K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$43K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$37K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$43K starting · 5 yr ROI
Social Work Degree in Lincoln — 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 Lincoln.