Social Work at Texas A&M University-Central Texas

Texas A&M-Central Texas turns out social work graduates who start below both state and national medians but show something promising: their earnings jump 34% by year four, reaching $47,214—well above what most BSW programs deliver even at graduation. While the $35,345 starting salary trails schools like Texas Southern and Prairie View A&M by roughly $5,000-$7,000, that gap narrows considerably as these graduates establish themselves.

The debt picture is manageable at $26,631, requiring less than three-quarters of first-year income to repay. For a school serving a primarily working-class population in the Killeen area (48% receive Pell grants), this represents reasonable leverage. However, the small sample size here—fewer than 30 graduates tracked—means these numbers could shift significantly year to year. The 100% admission rate suggests the school's selective focus is less on who gets in and more on preparing students who already have clear social service career goals.

For parents: if your child is committed to social work and values the university's military-friendly location near Fort Hood, this program won't saddle them with crushing debt. Just recognize they'll likely start in the lower-middle pack of Texas BSW earners. The strong earnings growth suggests the program prepares students for advancement, but those first few years may require tight budgeting.