Social Work at University of Arkansas

University of Arkansas's social work program sits in an interesting middle ground—performing better than most in-state options while lagging slightly behind the national average. At $35,424 in first-year earnings, graduates earn about $2,300 more than the Arkansas median for social work but fall roughly $2,000 short of what their peers nationally make. Among Arkansas's 10 social work programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile, trailing only Harding University and UA Little Rock in the state.

The $27,000 debt load is manageable relative to starting salaries, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.76—meaning graduates owe less than their first year's income. Earnings grow steadily to $41,601 by year four, a 17% increase that suggests reasonable career progression in what is notoriously a lower-paying helping profession. This trajectory is fairly typical for social work, where experience and additional credentials drive compensation more than the undergraduate institution attended.

For Arkansas families, this program offers solid in-state value, particularly compared to the regional alternatives that mostly underperform it. The caveat is that graduates determined to maximize earnings might find better opportunities at Harding, though that comes with higher tuition costs. If your child is committed to social work and staying in Arkansas, the combination of reasonable debt and middle-tier outcomes makes this a practical choice rather than a standout one.