Best Value Social Work Colleges in Arkansas

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith delivers the lowest net cost for Social Work education at $10,097, nearly half the price of Harding University's $20,579. Arkansas public institutions cluster between $10,097 and $17,525, making advanced education accessible across income levels. Graduates earn between $25,194 and $32,772, with Harding's private program producing the highest earners. The state's major employers like Walmart, Tyson Foods, and numerous healthcare systems create steady demand for social workers who understand rural and urban community challenges. With Arkansas's low cost of living, these earnings provide substantial purchasing power for new professionals entering the field.

Programs

$10,097 – $20,579

Net Price Range

$28,191

Avg. Program Earnings

47.4%

Avg. Graduation Rate

10 Social Work Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Pine Bluff, Arkansas	$11,679	$28,598	$9,019	39.7%	69.3%
2	Arkansas State University Jonesboro, Arkansas	$13,085	$26,353	$7,754	55.1%	69.5%
3	University of Arkansas at Little Rock Little Rock, Arkansas	$16,136	$29,250	$8,455	41.4%	61.5%
4	University of Arkansas Fayetteville, Arkansas	$17,525	$28,816	$9,748	70.0%	78.9%
5	Harding University Searcy, Arkansas	$20,579	$32,772	$24,888	70.9%	45.1%
6	Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Magnolia, Arkansas	$15,944	$25,194	$9,820	46.5%	63.6%
7	Henderson State University Arkadelphia, Arkansas	$16,929	$26,353	$7,885	38.0%	70.7%
8	University of Arkansas at Monticello Monticello, Arkansas	$14,013		$8,868	43.3%
9	Philander Smith University Little Rock, Arkansas	$15,360		$13,014	32.3%
10	University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Fort Smith, Arkansas	$10,097		$6,906	37.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $10,482 gap between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith costs $10,097 while Harding University reaches $20,579, reflecting the public-private divide. Harding's graduates earn $32,772 compared to other programs averaging $26,000-$29,000, potentially justifying the premium.

How do graduation rates compare across Arkansas Social Work programs?

Harding University leads with a 70.9% graduation rate, followed closely by University of Arkansas at 70%. Most public programs range from 37% to 55%, with University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff at 39.7%.

Does net cost accurately reflect what students actually pay?

Net costs include financial aid, showing University of Arkansas-Fort Smith students pay $10,097 after assistance. In-state tuition tells a different story, with Arkansas State charging just $7,754 before aid calculations.

Where do Social Work graduates find the best debt-to-income ratios?

University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduates carry $19,319 in debt against $29,250 earnings, creating a favorable ratio. University of Arkansas-Fort Smith offers even lower debt at $18,363 with comparable career prospects.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.