Social Work Degree in Omaha, NE — Salary & ROI 2026
Social Work degree analysis for Omaha, NE. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$44K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$48K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.5 yrs
in Omaha
Cost of Living
87
index (100 = avg)
Social Work in Omaha, NE Overview
Omaha is one of Nebraska's top college towns, with 23 institutions and a student population of 33,866. Public tuition averages $8,268/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Social Work has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Case Management and Counseling skills. The adjusted starting salary in Omaha is approximately $43,500.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
23
Public Tuition
$8,268/yr
Private Tuition
$26,461/yr
Room & Board
$12,792/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,593/yr
Unemployment
5.6%
Graduation Rate
56%
Social Work Salary in Omaha (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Omaha's cost of living index of 87 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Social Work salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Omaha adjustment factor: 0.87x based on the local cost of living index.
Social Work ROI Calculator for Omaha
Estimate your return on investment for a Social Work degree using local Omaha tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,268 | Private avg: $26,461
Omaha avg aid: $11,593/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$84,240
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,050
vs HS diploma in Omaha
ROI Payback Period
6.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Omaha
$159,360
Lifetime earnings premium ($243,600) minus total education cost ($84,240)
Student Loan Payoff for Social Work in Omaha
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Omaha for Social Work
University of Nebraska at Omaha
public
$8,268/yr
$33,072 total
Creighton University
private
$44,146/yr
$176,584 total
Bellevue University
private
$8,775/yr
$35,100 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Metropolitan Community College Omaha
$3,540/yr
Top Employers for Social Work in Omaha
Omaha offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Social Work graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Omaha 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 Omaha
International Relations
$44K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$42K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$44K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$44K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$44K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$44K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$38K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$44K starting · 5 yr ROI
Social Work Degree in Omaha — 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 Omaha.