California has 20 CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work programs, the authoritative count from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs. The longest-accredited is California State University, Fresno, which has held CSWE accreditation since 1968. 6 of the 20 record an online option; the rest are campus-based. 1 is hosted at a Carnegie R1 (very high research) university and 2 at a Carnegie R2 (high research) university.
Each program below is scored on the same five-factor model used in our national ranking, so the order reflects accreditation longevity, delivery and schedule flexibility, program breadth, and the institution's Carnegie research tier, all applied identically nationwide.
All 20 CSWE-Accredited BSW Programs in California
Accreditation status, dates, locations, online option, and program details are sourced directly from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs. Tuition is shown for reference only and is not factored into the score.
- #1
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · On-Campus
8.1
On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full & part-time 1 campus 1 certificate Accred. since 1974Why it ranks here
San Diego State University has held CSWE accreditation since 1974, 52 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (San Diego, CA). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 1 embedded certificate (School Social Work). Its home institution holds a Carnegie R1 classification for very high research activity.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
San Diego, CA (1974-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 5.0
- #2
California State University, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · CSWE-Accredited since 1979 · On-Campus
8.0
On-Campus Carnegie R2 Full & part-time 1 campus 3 certificates Accred. since 1979Why it ranks here
California State University, Los Angeles has held CSWE accreditation since 1979, 47 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Los Angeles, CA). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 3 embedded certificates (Child Welfare, Gerontology, Behavioral Health). Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Los Angeles, CA (1979-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 9.5
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 7.5
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 9.0
- #3
California State University, Chico
Chico, CA · CSWE-Accredited since 1969 · Online or On-Campus
7.8
Online or On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus + online Accred. since 1969Why it ranks here
California State University, Chico has held CSWE accreditation since 1969, 57 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Social Work is offered both online and on campus (Chico, CA). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Chico, CA (1974-present); Online (2018-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #4
California State University, Fresno
Fresno, CA · CSWE-Accredited since 1968 · On-Campus
7.8
On-Campus Carnegie R2 Full & part-time 1 campus 1 certificate Accred. since 1968Why it ranks here
California State University, Fresno has held CSWE accreditation since 1968, 58 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Fresno, CA). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 1 embedded certificate (Gerontology). Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Fresno, CA (1974-Present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 7.5
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 5.0
- #5
La Sierra University
Riverside, CA · CSWE-Accredited since 1979 · On-Campus
7.2
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus 1 certificate Accred. since 1979Why it ranks here
La Sierra University has held CSWE accreditation since 1979, 47 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Riverside, CA). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 1 embedded certificate (Crisis Intervention).
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Riverside, CA (1979-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 9.5
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 5.0
- #6
California State University, Long Beach
Long Beach, CA · CSWE-Accredited since 1975 · On-Campus
7.2
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 1975Why it ranks here
California State University, Long Beach has held CSWE accreditation since 1975, 51 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Long Beach, CA). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Long Beach, CA (1975-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #7
San Jose State University
San Jose, CA · CSWE-Accredited since 1976 · On-Campus
7.2
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 1976Why it ranks here
San Jose State University has held CSWE accreditation since 1976, 50 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (San Jose, CA). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
San Jose, CA (1976-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #8
Whittier College
Whittier, CA · CSWE-Accredited since 1977 · On-Campus
7.1
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 1977Why it ranks here
Whittier College has held CSWE accreditation since 1977, 49 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Whittier, CA). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Whittier, CA (1977-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 9.8
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #9
California State University, Sacramento
Sacramento, CA · CSWE-Accredited since 1983 · On-Campus
6.9
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus 1 certificate Accred. since 1983Why it ranks here
California State University, Sacramento has held CSWE accreditation since 1983, 43 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Sacramento, CA). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 1 embedded certificate (School Social Work).
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Sacramento, CA (1983-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 8.9
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 5.0
- #10
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA · CSWE-Accredited since 1975 · On-Campus
6.7
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 1975Why it ranks here
San Francisco State University has held CSWE accreditation since 1975, 51 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (San Francisco, CA). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
San Francisco, CA (1975-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #11
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA · CSWE-Accredited since 1982 · On-Campus
6.5
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus 1 certificate Accred. since 1982Why it ranks here
Azusa Pacific University has held CSWE accreditation since 1982, 44 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Azusa, CA). The program runs on a full-time plan of study. It records 1 embedded certificate (Domestic Violence).
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Azusa, CA (1982-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 9.0
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 5.0
- #12
Pacific Union College
Angwin, CA · CSWE-Accredited since 1982 · On-Campus
6.5
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus 1 certificate Accred. since 1982Why it ranks here
Pacific Union College has held CSWE accreditation since 1982, 44 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Angwin, CA). The program runs on a full-time plan of study. It records 1 embedded certificate (Conflict Resolution).
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Angwin, CA (1982-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 9.0
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 5.0
- #13
Cal Poly Humboldt
Arcata, CA · CSWE-Accredited since 1992 · Online or On-Campus
6.3
Online or On-Campus Full-time 1 campus + online Accred. since 1992Why it ranks here
Cal Poly Humboldt has held CSWE accreditation since 1992, 34 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelors of Social Work is offered both online and on campus (Arcata, CA). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Arcata, CA (1992-present); Online (2018-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 7.4
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #14
University of Massachusetts Global
Irvine, CA · CSWE-Accredited since 2013 · Online or On-Campus
5.5
Online or On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus + online Accred. since 2013Why it ranks here
University of Massachusetts Global has held CSWE accreditation since 2013, 13 years of standing as of 2026. The BASW is offered both online and on campus (Irvine, CA). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Irvine, CA (2013-present); Online (2018-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 4.1
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #15
Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA · CSWE-Accredited since 2016 · On-Campus
5.3
On-Campus Full & part-time 4 campuses Accred. since 2016Why it ranks here
Fresno Pacific University has held CSWE accreditation since 2016, 10 years of standing as of 2026. The program is offered on 4 approved campuses (Fresno, CA; North Fresno, CA; Visalia, CA; and more). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Fresno, CA (2016-present); North Fresno, CA (2016-present); Visalia, CA (2016-present); Merced, CA (2016-present); Bakersfield (2017-2019)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 3.6
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #16
California State University, San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA · CSWE-Accredited since 2002 · On-Campus
5.2
On-Campus Full-time 2 campuses Accred. since 2002Why it ranks here
California State University, San Bernardino has held CSWE accreditation since 2002, 24 years of standing as of 2026. The program is offered on 2 approved campuses (San Bernardino, CA; Palm Desert, CA). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
San Bernardino, CA (2002-present); Palm Desert, CA (2022-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 5.8
- Delivery (22%) 5.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #17
California Baptist University
Riverside, CA · CSWE-Accredited since 2021 · Online or On-Campus
4.9
Online or On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus + online Accred. since 2021Why it ranks here
California Baptist University has held CSWE accreditation since 2021, 5 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Social Work is offered both online and on campus (Riverside, CA). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Riverside, CA (2021-present); Online (2026-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 2.8
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #18
Pacific Oaks College
Online · CSWE-Accredited since 2020 · Online
4.8
Online Full & part-time 0 campuses + online Accred. since 2020Why it ranks here
Pacific Oaks College has held CSWE accreditation since 2020, 6 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered fully online. Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Online (2020-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 3.0
- Delivery (22%) 6.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #19
Touro University Worldwide
Online · CSWE-Accredited since 2020 · Online
4.8
Online Full & part-time 0 campuses + online Accred. since 2020Why it ranks here
Touro University Worldwide has held CSWE accreditation since 2020, 6 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered fully online. Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Online (2020-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 3.0
- Delivery (22%) 6.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #20
Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA · CSWE-Accredited since 2008 · On-Campus
4.6
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 2008Why it ranks here
Point Loma Nazarene University has held CSWE accreditation since 2008, 18 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (San Diego, CA). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
San Diego, CA (2008-Present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 4.9
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
The Social Work Industry in California
A Bachelor of Social Work is the entry credential for California's front-line social-service workforce. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET, social workers are employed across public human-services and child-welfare agencies, hospitals and health systems, K-12 schools, community mental-health and substance-use programs, aging and disability services, and nonprofit and faith-based organizations. BSW-level roles are generalist and direct-practice: case manager, child and family caseworker, community and behavioral-health worker, and social and human-service assistant. Supervisory, therapeutic, and independent clinical positions generally require a master's. If you plan to pursue graduate education, BestMSWPrograms.org covers the best MSW programs to help you take that next step.
Per the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs, California's 20 accredited programs are based across 19 cities, including San Diego, Los Angeles, Chico, Fresno, Riverside, Long Beach, and others, 6 offering an online option. 3 are hosted at a Carnegie research university (R1 or R2), which adds research and teaching-hospital placements to the local training pipeline. CSWE standards require supervised field education, so programs build placement partnerships with local agencies, hospitals, schools, and nonprofits, which makes the state's campuses a training and hiring pipeline into the surrounding California social-service economy. Online-capable programs extend that access to students in rural and remote parts of the state, areas the federal government (HRSA) frequently designates as mental-health workforce shortage areas.
Nationally, the BLS projects social-worker employment will grow 7% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 67,300 openings projected each year, many from the need to replace workers who leave the occupation. The BLS projects faster-than-average growth for healthcare social workers and for mental health and substance abuse social workers, specialties that hire at both the bachelor's and master's levels.
In California, social workers held about 104,290 jobs across the four social work occupations as of May 2025, per the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. State median annual wages by specialty:
| Occupation | Employed in CA | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Child, family, and school social workers | 60,310 | $65,200 |
| Healthcare social workers | 17,690 | $89,660 |
| Mental health and substance abuse social workers | 19,860 | $79,000 |
| Social workers, all other | 6,430 | $63,010 |
BLS OEWS, May 2025. Wages cover all workers in each occupation; BLS does not break wages out by degree, and BSW-level roles typically fall toward the lower end of each range. O*NET reports tasks, skills, and local outlook by occupation.
Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Social Workers; BLS state wage data for California; O*NET: Child, Family, and School Social Workers; CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs; HRSA health workforce shortage areas.
Social Work Licensure in California
Licensing data from the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), the body that develops the social work licensing exams, captured 2026.
The license ladder continues to the clinical, independent-practice level (ACSW, LCSW). A CSWE-accredited BSW also qualifies graduates for Advanced Standing admission to a master's program.
How We Ranked These Programs
Every program is scored on the same five-factor model used in the national ranking, with no state-specific adjustments. Four factors are drawn from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs; prestige uses the institution's 2025 Carnegie research classification.
- Accreditation longevity (40%): years of continuous CSWE accreditation.
- Delivery flexibility (22%): online option and number of approved campus locations.
- Prestige (15%): 2025 Carnegie research tier (R1, R2, or baseline).
- Schedule flexibility (12%): full-time and part-time plans of study.
- Program breadth (11%): embedded certificates and dual-degree options.
For the full model, see our ranking methodology.