Iowa has 13 CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work programs, the authoritative count from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs. The longest-accredited is University of Iowa, which has held CSWE accreditation since 1972. 2 of the 13 record an online option; the rest are campus-based. 1 is hosted at a Carnegie R1 (very 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 13 CSWE-Accredited BSW Programs in Iowa
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
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA · CSWE-Accredited since 1972 · On-Campus
8.3
On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full & part-time 1 campus 2 certificates Accred. since 1972Why it ranks here
University of Iowa has held CSWE accreditation since 1972, 54 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Iowa City, IA). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 2 embedded certificates (Other, Trauma). Its home institution holds a Carnegie R1 classification for very high research activity.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $11,971 · Out-of-state $34,247 / year
2026-27 tuition & fees · uiowa.edu
Locations
Iowa City, IA (1974-present); Des Moines, IA (2010-2021)
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%) 7.0
- #2
Mount Mercy University
Cedar Rapids, IA · CSWE-Accredited since 1977 · On-Campus
7.8
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 1977Why it ranks here
Mount Mercy University has held CSWE accreditation since 1977, 49 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Cedar Rapids, IA). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 4 dual-degree options.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Cedar Rapids, IA (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%) 9.0
- #3
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA · CSWE-Accredited since 1975 · On-Campus
7.6
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus 2 certificates Accred. since 1975Why it ranks here
University of Northern Iowa has held CSWE accreditation since 1975, 51 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Cedar Falls, IA). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 2 embedded certificates (Addictions, Child Welfare).
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Cedar Falls, IA (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%) 7.0
- #4
Briar Cliff University
Sioux City, IA · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · Online or On-Campus
7.6
Online or On-Campus Full-time 1 campus + online 1 certificate Accred. since 1974Why it ranks here
Briar Cliff University has held CSWE accreditation since 1974, 52 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor in Social Work is offered both online and on campus (Sioux City, IA). The program runs on a full-time plan of study. It records 1 embedded certificate (Gerontology).
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Sioux City, IA (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%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 5.0
- #5
Clarke University
Dubuque, IA · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · On-Campus
7.2
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 1974Why it ranks here
Clarke University has held CSWE accreditation since 1974, 52 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Dubuque, IA). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Dubuque, IA (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%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #6
Loras College
Dubuque, IA · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · On-Campus
7.2
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 1974Why it ranks here
Loras College has held CSWE accreditation since 1974, 52 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Dubuque, IA). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Dubuque, IA (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%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #7
Wartburg College
Waverly, IA · CSWE-Accredited since 1976 · On-Campus
7.2
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 1976Why it ranks here
Wartburg College has held CSWE accreditation since 1976, 50 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Waverly, IA). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Waverly, IA (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
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA · CSWE-Accredited since 1981 · Online or On-Campus
7.0
Online or On-Campus Full-time 1 campus + online Accred. since 1981Why it ranks here
Buena Vista University has held CSWE accreditation since 1981, 45 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (1981-Present) is offered both online and on campus (Storm Lake, IA). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Storm Lake, IA (1981-present); Online (2024-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 9.2
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #9
Luther College
Decorah, IA · CSWE-Accredited since 1976 · On-Campus
6.7
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 1976Why it ranks here
Luther College has held CSWE accreditation since 1976, 50 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Decorah, IA). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Decorah, IA (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%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #10
Dordt University
Sioux Center, IA · CSWE-Accredited since 1986 · On-Campus
6.5
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 1986Why it ranks here
Dordt University has held CSWE accreditation since 1986, 40 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Sioux Center, IA). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Sioux Center, IA (1986-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 8.4
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #11
Northwestern College
Orange City, IA · CSWE-Accredited since 1986 · On-Campus
6.0
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 1986Why it ranks here
Northwestern College has held CSWE accreditation since 1986, 40 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Orange City, IA). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Orange City, IA (1986-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 8.4
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #12
Grand View University
Des Moines, IA · CSWE-Accredited since 2015 · On-Campus
4.7
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 2015Why it ranks here
Grand View University has held CSWE accreditation since 2015, 11 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Des Moines, IA). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Des Moines, IA (2015-Present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 3.8
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #13
St. Ambrose University
Davenport, IA Mount Mercy Campus- Cedar Rapids, IA · CSWE-Accredited since 2019 · On-Campus
3.9
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 2019Why it ranks here
St. Ambrose University has held CSWE accreditation since 2019, 7 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Davenport, IA Mount Mercy Campus- Cedar Rapids, IA). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Davenport, IA (2019-Present) Mount Mercy Campus- Cedar Rapids, IA (2026-Present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 3.1
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
The Social Work Industry in Iowa
A Bachelor of Social Work is the entry credential for Iowa'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, Iowa's 13 accredited programs are based across 12 cities, including Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Cedar Falls, Sioux City, Dubuque, Waverly, and others, 2 offering an online option. 1 is 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 Iowa 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 Iowa, social workers held about 6,390 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 IA | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Child, family, and school social workers | 3,410 | $52,250 |
| Healthcare social workers | 1,550 | $63,050 |
| Mental health and substance abuse social workers | 1,200 | $48,530 |
| Social workers, all other | 230 | $91,170 |
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 Iowa; O*NET: Child, Family, and School Social Workers; CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs; HRSA health workforce shortage areas.
Social Work Licensure in Iowa
Licensing data from the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), the body that develops the social work licensing exams, captured 2026.
Iowa licenses social workers at the bachelor level, so a CSWE-accredited BSW is the degree requirement for an entry-level license here. That makes program accreditation, the basis of our ranking, a direct licensing prerequisite.
| License | Name | Exam | CSWE BSW required |
|---|---|---|---|
| LBSW | Licensed Bachelor Social Worker | ASWB Bachelors exam | Yes |
The license ladder continues to the master's level (LMSW), and the clinical, independent-practice level (LISW). 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.