Social Work at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

At $28,094 in first-year earnings, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff's social work graduates earn roughly $5,000 less than the Arkansas median and nearly $10,000 below the national average for this degree. That gap matters in a field where starting salaries are already modest—this program ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally among social work bachelor's programs. Even within Arkansas, where social work salaries tend to run lower than the national average, UAPB graduates land in the 25th percentile, trailing programs at Harding, University of Arkansas, and several other in-state options by $7,000 to $13,000 annually.

The debt picture adds another layer of concern. While $29,145 isn't catastrophic, it nearly equals the first year's salary, creating a tight financial squeeze early in a graduate's career. Given that UAPB serves primarily first-generation and lower-income students (67% receive Pell grants), this debt-to-earnings imbalance could be particularly burdensome for families with limited safety nets.

The caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes may vary significantly. However, if your child is committed to social work and considering Arkansas schools, they'd likely find stronger employment prospects at University of Arkansas or even Arkansas State, where graduates earn $5,000-$7,000 more right out of the gate. That difference compounds quickly in a helping profession where loan payments matter.