Social Work at Harding University

Harding's social work graduates earn significantly more than their peers—about $8,700 above the Arkansas median and nearly $4,500 above the national median. Among Arkansas social work programs, these earnings place graduates in the 80th percentile, outpacing even the state's flagship University of Arkansas. The $29,000 median debt is close to typical levels but manageable relative to first-year earnings.

The real question is whether these strong outcomes reflect the program itself or just a handful of exceptional graduates. With fewer than 30 students in the sample, this data could easily shift with just a few different career paths. The flat earnings trajectory from year one to year four ($41,835 to $42,758) is typical for social work but worth noting—don't expect substantial salary growth in this field.

For a student committed to social work, this looks like a solid option if the numbers hold up. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 is better than most social work programs achieve. However, the small sample size means you should try to connect with recent graduates directly to verify these outcomes before banking on them. If your child is still exploring majors, remember that social work salaries plateau early, so this career requires genuine commitment to the mission rather than financial upside.