Social Work at The University of Texas at Arlington

UTA's social work program delivers slightly above-average outcomes at substantially less debt than typical programs—a meaningful advantage for a field known for modest salaries. At $38,174 starting out, graduates earn more than 60% of social work programs nationally and in Texas, while carrying about $5,500 less debt than the state median. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 means borrowers face just over half their first-year salary in loans, which is manageable in a helping profession where passion often matters as much as paycheck.

The 13% earnings growth to $43,234 by year four shows steady career progression, though social work isn't a path to high incomes—even top Texas programs like Texas Southern ($42,333) don't break $45,000 at the four-year mark. What matters here is the combination: UTA graduates earn competitively while borrowing less, which makes the required loan payments more sustainable on a social worker's salary. Given that 40% of UTA students receive Pell grants, keeping debt below $22,000 for a bachelor's degree represents genuine access.

For families considering social work, UTA offers a straightforward value: your graduate enters a meaningful career without the debt burden that could force them into higher-paying but less fulfilling work. The lower borrowing is the real win here.