Social Work at Ball State University

Ball State's social work graduates earn nearly $1,300 more than the typical Indiana program and about $1,800 above the national median—modest premiums, but they matter in a field where earnings rarely exceed $45,000 early in a career. At 60th percentile statewide, this program lands solidly in the middle tier of Indiana's 23 social work programs, trailing IU's campuses but performing competitively with most alternatives. The debt picture strengthens the case: at $23,900, graduates here borrow roughly $3,000 less than the state median, making this one of the more affordable social work degrees in Indiana.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61 means graduates owe about seven months of their starting salary—manageable territory for a helping profession. Earnings growth to $42,239 by year four tracks the typical trajectory for social workers, who see steady but modest income progression. For families prioritizing both outcomes and affordability, Ball State delivers a clear advantage over pricier in-state options.

The math works if your child is committed to social work and wants to stay in Indiana. They'll graduate with less debt than most peers and earn slightly above average from day one. It's not a path to high earnings, but that's true of social work generally—what matters here is that Ball State positions graduates about as well as possible given the field's salary constraints.