Ohio has 25 CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work programs, the authoritative count from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs. The longest-accredited is Miami University, which has held CSWE accreditation since 1968. 8 of the 25 record an online option; the rest are campus-based. 3 are hosted at a Carnegie R1 (very high research) university and 4 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. A program marked National # ranks among the top 20 of all 537 accredited BSW programs in the country, per our five-factor scoring method.
All 25 CSWE-Accredited BSW Programs in Ohio
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 National #4
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · Online or On-Campus
9.2
Online or On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full & part-time 5 campuses + online Accred. since 1974Why it ranks here
The Ohio State University has held CSWE accreditation since 1974, 52 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Science in Social Work is offered both online and on campus (Columbus, OH; Lima, OH; Mansfield, OH; and more). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R1 classification for very high research activity.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $14,050 · Out-of-state $44,271 / year
2026-27 tuition & fees · osu.edu
Locations
Columbus, OH (1974-present); Lima, OH (1974-present); Mansfield, OH (1974-present); Marion, OH (1974-present); Newark, OH (1974-present); Online (2024-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 10.0
- Prestige (15%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #2 National #14
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · Online or On-Campus
8.8
Online or On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full & part-time 1 campus + online 1 certificate Accred. since 1974Why it ranks here
University of Cincinnati 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 (Cincinnati, OH). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 1 embedded certificate (Developmental Disabilities). Its home institution holds a Carnegie R1 classification for very high research activity.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $14,394 · Out-of-state $29,728 / year
2025-26 tuition, Uptown · uc.edu
Locations
Cincinnati, OH (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%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 5.0
- #3
University of Akron
Akron, OH · CSWE-Accredited since 1979 · Online or On-Campus
8.4
Online or On-Campus Carnegie R2 Full & part-time 2 campuses + online 1 certificate Accred. since 1979Why it ranks here
University of Akron has held CSWE accreditation since 1979, 47 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelors of Arts in Social Work (1979-present); Bachelors of Arts (1979-present) is offered both online and on campus (Akron, OH; Orrville, OH). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 1 embedded certificate (Addictions). 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
Akron, OH (1979-present); Orrville, OH (2014-present); Online (2025-present); Lakewood, OH (2015-2024)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 9.5
- Delivery (22%) 8.0
- Prestige (15%) 7.5
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 5.0
- #4
Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · Online or On-Campus
8.4
Online or On-Campus Carnegie R2 Full & part-time 1 campus + online 1 certificate Accred. since 1974Why it ranks here
Cleveland State 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 (Cleveland, OH). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 1 embedded certificate (Addictions). 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
Cleveland, OH (1974-Present); Online (2022-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%) 7.5
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 5.0
- #5
Ohio University
Athens, OH · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · On-Campus
8.1
On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full-time 6 campuses Accred. since 1974Why it ranks here
Ohio University has held CSWE accreditation since 1974, 52 years of standing as of 2026. The program is offered on 6 approved campuses (Athens, OH; Lancaster, OH; Zanesville, OH; and more). The program runs on a full-time plan of study. 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
Athens, OH (1974-present); Lancaster, OH (1974-present); Zanesville, OH (1974-present); Chillicothe, OH (1974-present); St. Clairsville, OH (1974-present); Ironton, OH (1974-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%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #6
Miami University
Oxford, OH · CSWE-Accredited since 1968 · On-Campus
7.9
On-Campus Carnegie R2 Full & part-time 1 campus 1 certificate Accred. since 1968Why it ranks here
Miami University has held CSWE accreditation since 1968, 58 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Oxford, OH). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 1 embedded certificate (Child Welfare) and 1 dual-degree option. 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
Oxford, OH (1997-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%) 6.5
- #7
Wright State University
Dayton/Fairborn, OH · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · On-Campus
7.8
On-Campus Carnegie R2 Full & part-time 1 campus 1 certificate Accred. since 1974Why it ranks here
Wright State University has held CSWE accreditation since 1974, 52 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Dayton/Fairborn, OH). 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
Dayton/Fairborn, OH (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
- #8
Malone University
Canton, OH · CSWE-Accredited since 1982 · Online or On-Campus
7.4
Online or On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus + online Accred. since 1982Why it ranks here
Malone University has held CSWE accreditation since 1982, 44 years of standing as of 2026. The BSW is offered both online and on campus (Canton, OH). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Canton, OH (1982-present); Online (2018-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 9.0
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #9
Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH · CSWE-Accredited since 1992 · Online or On-Campus
7.2
Online or On-Campus Full & part-time 3 campuses + online Accred. since 1992Why it ranks here
Youngstown State University 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 (Youngstown, OH; Lorraine, OH; Lakeland, OH). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Youngstown, OH (1992-present); Lorraine, OH (1992-present); Lakeland, OH (1992-present); Online (2023-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 7.4
- Delivery (22%) 9.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #10
Ohio Dominican University
Columbus, OH · CSWE-Accredited since 1968 · On-Campus
7.2
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 1968Why it ranks here
Ohio Dominican University has held CSWE accreditation since 1968, 58 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Columbus, OH). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Columbus, OH (2004-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
- #11
Capital University
Columbus, OH · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · On-Campus
7.2
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 1974Why it ranks here
Capital University has held CSWE accreditation since 1974, 52 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Columbus, OH). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Columbus, OH (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
- #12
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, OH · CSWE-Accredited since 1978 · On-Campus
7.0
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 1978Why it ranks here
Bowling Green State University has held CSWE accreditation since 1978, 48 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Bowling Green, OH). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Bowling Green, OH (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%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #13
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH · CSWE-Accredited since 1980 · On-Campus
6.9
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 1980Why it ranks here
Xavier University has held CSWE accreditation since 1980, 46 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Cincinnati, OH). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Cincinnati, OH (1980-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 9.4
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #14
University of Toledo
Toledo, OH · CSWE-Accredited since 1983 · On-Campus
6.7
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 1983Why it ranks here
University of Toledo has held CSWE accreditation since 1983, 43 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Toledo, OH). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Toledo, OH (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%) 3.0
- #15
Defiance College
Defiance, OH · CSWE-Accredited since 1976 · On-Campus
6.7
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 1976Why it ranks here
Defiance College has held CSWE accreditation since 1976, 50 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Defiance, OH). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Defiance, OH (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
- #16
Mount St. Joseph University
Cincinnati, OH · CSWE-Accredited since 1991 · On-Campus
6.6
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus 2 certificates Accred. since 1991Why it ranks here
Mount St. Joseph University has held CSWE accreditation since 1991, 35 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Cincinnati, OH). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 2 embedded certificates (Gerontology, Non-Profit Management).
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Cincinnati, OH (1991-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 7.6
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 7.0
- #17
Bluffton University
Bluffton, OH · CSWE-Accredited since 1982 · On-Campus
6.6
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 1982Why it ranks here
Bluffton University has held CSWE accreditation since 1982, 44 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Bluffton, OH). 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
Bluffton, OH (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%) 6.0
- #18
Ursuline College
Online · CSWE-Accredited since 1994 · Online
6.4
Online Full & part-time 0 campuses + online Accred. since 1994Why it ranks here
Ursuline College has held CSWE accreditation since 1994, 32 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 (2018-present); Pepper Pike, OH (1994-2020)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 7.1
- Delivery (22%) 6.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #19
University of Rio Grande
Rio Grande, OH · CSWE-Accredited since 1991 · On-Campus
6.2
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 1991Why it ranks here
University of Rio Grande has held CSWE accreditation since 1991, 35 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Rio Grande, OH). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Rio Grande, OH (1991-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 7.6
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #20
Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Mt. Vernon, OH · CSWE-Accredited since 2003 · Online or On-Campus
6.1
Online or On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus + online Accred. since 2003Why it ranks here
Mount Vernon Nazarene University has held CSWE accreditation since 2003, 23 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Social Work is offered both online and on campus (Mt. Vernon, OH). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Mt. Vernon, OH (2003-present); Online (2021-present); Mansfield, OH (former); Newark, OH (former)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 5.7
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #21
University of Findlay
Findlay, Ohio · CSWE-Accredited since 1995 · On-Campus
6.1
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus 2 certificates Accred. since 1995Why it ranks here
University of Findlay has held CSWE accreditation since 1995, 31 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Findlay, Ohio). The program runs on a full-time plan of study. It records 2 embedded certificates (Addictions, Gerontology) and 1 dual-degree option.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Findlay, Ohio (1995-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 7.0
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 8.5
- #22
Ashland University
Ashland, OH · CSWE-Accredited since 1987 · On-Campus
6.0
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 1987Why it ranks here
Ashland University has held CSWE accreditation since 1987, 39 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Ashland, OH). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Ashland, OH (1987-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 8.2
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #23
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH · CSWE-Accredited since 1995 · On-Campus
5.5
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 1995Why it ranks here
Cedarville University has held CSWE accreditation since 1995, 31 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Cedarville, OH). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Cedarville, OH (1995-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 7.0
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #24
Central State University
Wilberforce, OH · CSWE-Accredited since 2014 · On-Campus
5.4
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 2014Why it ranks here
Central State University has held CSWE accreditation since 2014, 12 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Wilberforce, OH). 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
Wilberforce, OH (2014-Present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 3.9
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 9.0
- #25
Franciscan University of Steubenville
Steubenville, OH · CSWE-Accredited since 2001 · On-Campus
5.1
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 2001Why it ranks here
Franciscan University of Steubenville has held CSWE accreditation since 2001, 25 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Steubenville, OH). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Steubenville, OH (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
The Social Work Industry in Ohio
A Bachelor of Social Work is the entry credential for Ohio'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, Ohio's 25 accredited programs are based across 32 cities, including Columbus, Lima, Mansfield, Marion, Newark, Cincinnati, and others, 8 offering an online option. 7 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 Ohio 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 Ohio, social workers held about 34,280 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 OH | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Child, family, and school social workers | 16,050 | $51,520 |
| Healthcare social workers | 8,930 | $63,610 |
| Mental health and substance abuse social workers | 6,050 | $46,080 |
| Social workers, all other | 3,250 | $59,780 |
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 Ohio; O*NET: Child, Family, and School Social Workers; CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs; HRSA health workforce shortage areas.
Social Work Licensure in Ohio
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 master's level (LISW, LSW). 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.