North Carolina has 23 CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work programs, the authoritative count from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs. The longest-accredited is Western Carolina University, which has held CSWE accreditation since 1974. 8 of the 23 record an online option; the rest are campus-based. 1 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 23 CSWE-Accredited BSW Programs in North Carolina
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
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC · CSWE-Accredited since 1987 · Online or On-Campus
7.9
Online or On-Campus Carnegie R2 Full & part-time 3 campuses + online Accred. since 1987Why it ranks here
Appalachian State University has held CSWE accreditation since 1987, 39 years of standing as of 2026. The BSW is offered both online and on campus (Boone, NC; Hickory, NC; Morganton, NC). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. 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
Boone, NC (1987-present); Hickory, NC (1987-present); Morganton, NC (1987-present); Online (2023-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 8.2
- Delivery (22%) 9.0
- Prestige (15%) 7.5
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #2
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · Online or On-Campus
7.8
Online or On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus + online Accred. since 1974Why it ranks here
Western Carolina University has held CSWE accreditation since 1974, 52 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Social Work is offered both online and on campus (Cullowhee, NC). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Cullowhee, NC (1974-present); Online (2026-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
- #3
Meredith College
Raleigh, NC · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · On-Campus
7.2
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 1974Why it ranks here
Meredith College has held CSWE accreditation since 1974, 52 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Raleigh, NC). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Raleigh, NC (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
- #4
Mars Hill University
Mars Hill, NC · CSWE-Accredited since 1976 · On-Campus
7.1
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus 2 certificates Accred. since 1976Why it ranks here
Mars Hill University has held CSWE accreditation since 1976, 50 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Mars Hill, NC). The program runs on a full-time plan of study. It records 2 embedded certificates (Child Welfare, Hospice).
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Mars Hill, NC (1976-present); Online (2025-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%) 7.0
- #5
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Pembroke, NC · CSWE-Accredited since 1987 · Online or On-Campus
7.1
Online or On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus + online Accred. since 1987Why it ranks here
University of North Carolina at Pembroke has held CSWE accreditation since 1987, 39 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Social Work is offered both online and on campus (Pembroke, NC). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Pembroke, NC (1987-present); Online (2025-Present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 8.2
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #6
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · On-Campus
7.0
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 1974Why it ranks here
North Carolina State University has held CSWE accreditation since 1974, 52 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Raleigh, NC). The program runs on a full-time plan of study. It records 2 dual-degree options.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Raleigh, NC (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%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 6.0
- #7
Methodist University
Fayetteville, NC · CSWE-Accredited since 1996 · Online or On-Campus
7.0
Online or On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus + online 2 certificates Accred. since 1996Why it ranks here
Methodist University has held CSWE accreditation since 1996, 30 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Social Work is offered both online and on campus (Fayetteville, NC). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 2 embedded certificates (Child Welfare, School Social Work).
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Fayetteville, NC (1996-present); Online (2022-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 6.8
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 7.0
- #8
Barton College
Wilson, NC · CSWE-Accredited since 1994 · Online or On-Campus
6.9
Online or On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus + online 1 certificate Accred. since 1994Why it ranks here
Barton College has held CSWE accreditation since 1994, 32 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Social Work is offered both online and on campus (Wilson, NC). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 1 embedded certificate (Child Welfare).
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Wilson, NC (1994-present); Online (2022-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 7.1
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 5.0
- #9
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC · CSWE-Accredited since 1992 · Online or On-Campus
6.8
Online or On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus + online Accred. since 1992Why it ranks here
University of North Carolina at Charlotte has held CSWE accreditation since 1992, 34 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Social Work is offered both online and on campus (Charlotte, NC). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Charlotte, NC (1992-present); Online (2025-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%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #10
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · On-Campus
6.7
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 1974Why it ranks here
East Carolina University has held CSWE accreditation since 1974, 52 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Greenville, NC). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Greenville, NC (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%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #11
North Carolina A&T State University
Greensboro, NC · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · On-Campus
6.7
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 1974Why it ranks here
North Carolina A&T State University has held CSWE accreditation since 1974, 52 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Greensboro, NC). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Greensboro, NC (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%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #12
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro, NC · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · On-Campus
6.7
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 1974Why it ranks here
University of North Carolina at Greensboro has held CSWE accreditation since 1974, 52 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Greensboro, NC). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Greensboro, NC (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%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #13
Livingstone College
Salisbury, NC · CSWE-Accredited since 1977 · On-Campus
6.6
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 1977Why it ranks here
Livingstone College has held CSWE accreditation since 1977, 49 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Salisbury, NC). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Salisbury, NC (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%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #14
Warren Wilson College
Asheville, NC · CSWE-Accredited since 1978 · On-Campus
6.6
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 1978Why it ranks here
Warren Wilson College has held CSWE accreditation since 1978, 48 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Asheville, NC). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Asheville, NC (1978-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 9.7
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #15
Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City, NC · CSWE-Accredited since 2001 · Online or On-Campus
6.4
Online or On-Campus Full-time 3 campuses + online 1 certificate Accred. since 2001Why it ranks here
Elizabeth City State University has held CSWE accreditation since 2001, 25 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Social Work is offered both online and on campus (Elizabeth City, NC; Roanoke-Chowan Community College/Ahoskie, NC; Halifax Community College/Weldon, NC). The program runs on a full-time plan of study. It records 1 embedded certificate (Addictions).
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Elizabeth City, NC (2001-present); Roanoke-Chowan Community College/Ahoskie, NC (2017-present); Halifax Community College/Weldon, NC (2017-present); Online (2026-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 6.0
- Delivery (22%) 9.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 5.0
- #16
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Wilmington, NC · CSWE-Accredited since 1996 · Online or On-Campus
6.3
Online or On-Campus Full-time 1 campus + online 1 certificate Accred. since 1996Why it ranks here
University of North Carolina at Wilmington has held CSWE accreditation since 1996, 30 years of standing as of 2026. The BSW is offered both online and on campus (Wilmington, NC). The program runs on a full-time plan of study. It records 1 embedded certificate (Child Welfare).
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Wilmington, NC (1996-present); Online (2023-present); Jacksonville, NC (1996-2024)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 6.8
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 5.0
- #17
Bennett College
Greensboro, NC · CSWE-Accredited since 1988 · On-Campus
6.1
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus 1 certificate Accred. since 1988Why it ranks here
Bennett College has held CSWE accreditation since 1988, 38 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Greensboro, NC). The program runs on a full-time plan of study. It records 1 embedded certificate (Child Welfare).
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Greensboro, NC (1988-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 8.1
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 5.0
- #18
Campbell University
Buies Creek, NC · CSWE-Accredited since 1992 · On-Campus
5.7
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 1992Why it ranks here
Campbell University has held CSWE accreditation since 1992, 34 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Buies Creek, NC). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Buies Creek, NC (1992-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 7.4
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #19
North Carolina Central University
Durham, NC · CSWE-Accredited since 1998 · On-Campus
5.3
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 1998Why it ranks here
North Carolina Central University has held CSWE accreditation since 1998, 28 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Durham, NC). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Durham, NC (1998-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 6.5
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #20
Johnson C. Smith University
Charlotte, NC · CSWE-Accredited since 2001 · On-Campus
5.1
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 2001Why it ranks here
Johnson C. Smith University has held CSWE accreditation since 2001, 25 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Charlotte, NC). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Charlotte, NC (2001-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 6.0
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #21
Shaw University
Raleigh, NC · CSWE-Accredited since 2005 · On-Campus
4.8
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 2005Why it ranks here
Shaw University has held CSWE accreditation since 2005, 21 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Raleigh, NC). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Raleigh, NC (2005-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 5.4
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #22
Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem, NC · CSWE-Accredited since 2008 · On-Campus
4.6
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 2008Why it ranks here
Winston-Salem State University has held CSWE accreditation since 2008, 18 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Winston-Salem, NC). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Winston-Salem, NC (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
- #23
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, NC · CSWE-Accredited since 2011 · On-Campus
4.4
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 2011Why it ranks here
Fayetteville State University has held CSWE accreditation since 2011, 15 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Fayetteville, NC). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Fayetteville, NC (2011-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 4.4
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
The Social Work Industry in North Carolina
A Bachelor of Social Work is the entry credential for North Carolina'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, North Carolina's 23 accredited programs are based across 21 cities, including Boone, Hickory, Morganton, Cullowhee, Raleigh, Mars Hill, and others, 8 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina, social workers held about 23,490 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 NC | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Child, family, and school social workers | 13,010 | $59,610 |
| Healthcare social workers | 5,120 | $63,280 |
| Mental health and substance abuse social workers | 3,690 | $58,210 |
| Social workers, all other | 1,670 | $63,490 |
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 North Carolina; O*NET: Child, Family, and School Social Workers; CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs; HRSA health workforce shortage areas.
Social Work Licensure in North Carolina
Licensing data from the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), the body that develops the social work licensing exams, captured 2026.
North Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSW | Certified Social Worker | ASWB Bachelors exam | Yes |
The license ladder continues to the master's level (CMSW, CSWM), and the clinical, independent-practice level (LCSW, LCSWA). 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.