Missouri has 15 CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work programs, the authoritative count from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs. The longest-accredited is Saint Louis University, which has held CSWE accreditation since 1974. 6 of the 15 record an online option; the rest are campus-based. 2 are hosted at a Carnegie R1 (very high research) university and 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. A program marked National # ranks among the top 20 of all 537 accredited BSW programs in the country, per our five-factor scoring method.
Missouri BSW programs at a glance
15
CSWE-accredited BSW programs
1974
Oldest, Saint Louis University, accredited since
6
Offer an online option
3
At an R1 or R2 research university
Missouri's 15 programs span CSWE accreditation from 1974 to 2019, and the highest-scoring on our five-factor model is University of Missouri-St. Louis at 8.7 out of 10, a Carnegie R2 research university. The newest, Maryville University, earned accreditation in 2019. Verified published in-state tuition for the Missouri program we priced is $15,870 a year. A child, family, and school social worker in Missouri earns a median of $48,520 a year, 19% below the national median of $59,550 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
All 15 CSWE-Accredited BSW Programs in Missouri
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 #20
University of Missouri-St. Louis
St. Louis, MO · CSWE-Accredited since 1979 · Online or On-Campus
8.7
Online or On-Campus Carnegie R2 Full & part-time 1 campus + online 3 certificates Accred. since 1979Why it ranks here
University of Missouri-St. Louis has held CSWE accreditation since 1979, 47 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Social Work is offered both online and on campus (St. Louis, MO). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 3 embedded certificates (Gender Studies, Gerontology, Trauma). Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $15,870 · Out-of-state $39,510 / year
2025-26 tuition & fees, 30 cr · umsl.edu
Locations
St. Louis, MO (1979-present); Online (2023-present); Park Hills, MO (1979-2023);
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 9.5
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 7.5
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 9.0
- #2
Saint Louis University
St. Louis, MO · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · On-Campus
8.1
On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full-time 1 campus 1 certificate Accred. since 1974Why it ranks here
Saint Louis University has held CSWE accreditation since 1974, 52 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (St. Louis, MO). The program runs on a full-time plan of study. It records 1 embedded certificate (Gerontology) and 3 dual-degree options. 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
St. Louis, MO (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%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 9.5
- #3
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · Online or On-Campus
8.1
Online or On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full-time 1 campus + online Accred. since 1974Why it ranks here
University of Missouri has held CSWE accreditation since 1974, 52 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Science in Social Work (1946-1975); Bachelor of Social Work (1975-present) is offered both online and on campus (Columbia, MO). 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
Columbia, MO (1974-present); Online (2014-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
- #4
Missouri State University
Springfield, MO · CSWE-Accredited since 1977 · Online or On-Campus
7.7
Online or On-Campus Full-time 1 campus + online 2 certificates Accred. since 1977Why it ranks here
Missouri State University has held CSWE accreditation since 1977, 49 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Social Work is offered both online and on campus (Springfield, MO). The program runs on a full-time plan of study. It records 2 embedded certificates (Non-Profit Management, Other).
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Springfield, MO (1977-present); Online (2020-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 9.8
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 7.0
- #5
Avila University
Kansas City, MO · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · Online or On-Campus
7.3
Online or On-Campus Full-time 1 campus + online Accred. since 1974Why it ranks here
Avila 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 (Kansas City, MO). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Kansas City, MO (1974-present); Online (2023-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%) 3.0
- #6
Missouri Western State University
St. Joseph, MO · CSWE-Accredited since 1977 · On-Campus
7.1
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 1977Why it ranks here
Missouri Western State University has held CSWE accreditation since 1977, 49 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (St. Joseph, MO). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
St. Joseph, MO (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
- #7
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, MO · CSWE-Accredited since 1990 · Online or On-Campus
6.9
Online or On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus + online Accred. since 1990Why it ranks here
Southeast Missouri State University has held CSWE accreditation since 1990, 36 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Science in Social Work is offered both online and on campus (Cape Girardeau, MO). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Cape Girardeau, MO (1990-present); Online (2026-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 7.8
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #8
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, MO · CSWE-Accredited since 1986 · On-Campus
6.7
On-Campus Full & part-time 2 campuses Accred. since 1986Why it ranks here
University of Central Missouri has held CSWE accreditation since 1986, 40 years of standing as of 2026. The program is offered on 2 approved campuses (Warrensburg, MO; Lee's Summit, MO). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Warrensburg, MO (1986-present); Lee's Summit, MO (1986-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 8.4
- Delivery (22%) 5.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #9
Evangel University
Springfield, MO · CSWE-Accredited since 1996 · On-Campus
5.9
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 1996Why it ranks here
Evangel University has held CSWE accreditation since 1996, 30 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Springfield, MO). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Springfield, MO (1996-Present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 6.8
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #10
Southwest Baptist University
Bolivar, MO · CSWE-Accredited since 2010 · On-Campus
5.8
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 2010Why it ranks here
Southwest Baptist University has held CSWE accreditation since 2010, 16 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Bolivar, MO). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 6 dual-degree options.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Bolivar, MO (2010-Present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 4.6
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 10.0
- #11
Park University
Parkville, MO · CSWE-Accredited since 2003 · On-Campus
5.4
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 2003Why it ranks here
Park University has held CSWE accreditation since 2003, 23 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Parkville, MO). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Parkville, MO (2003-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 5.7
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #12
Lindenwood University
St. Charles, MO · CSWE-Accredited since 2005 · On-Campus
5.3
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 2005Why it ranks here
Lindenwood University has held CSWE accreditation since 2005, 21 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (St. Charles, MO). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
St. Charles, MO (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%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #13
Lincoln University
Jefferson City, MO · CSWE-Accredited since 2011 · On-Campus
4.9
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 2011Why it ranks here
Lincoln University has held CSWE accreditation since 2011, 15 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Jefferson City, MO). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Jefferson City, MO (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%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #14
Missouri Southern State University
Joplin, MO · CSWE-Accredited since 2015 · On-Campus
4.7
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 2015Why it ranks here
Missouri Southern State University has held CSWE accreditation since 2015, 11 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Joplin, MO). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Joplin, MO (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
- #15
Maryville University
Online · CSWE-Accredited since 2019 · Online
4.4
Online Part-time 0 campuses + online Accred. since 2019Why it ranks here
Maryville University has held CSWE accreditation since 2019, 7 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered fully online. A part-time plan of study is available.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Online (2019-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 3.1
- Delivery (22%) 6.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
The Social Work Industry in Missouri
A Bachelor of Social Work is the entry credential for Missouri'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, Missouri's 15 accredited programs are based across 13 cities, including St. Louis, Columbia, Springfield, Kansas City, St. Joseph, Cape Girardeau, 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 Missouri 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 Missouri, social workers held about 16,280 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 MO | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Child, family, and school social workers | 9,620 | $48,520 |
| Healthcare social workers | 4,430 | $59,870 |
| Mental health and substance abuse social workers | 1,640 | $49,560 |
| Social workers, all other | 590 | $98,740 |
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 Missouri; O*NET: Child, Family, and School Social Workers; CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs; HRSA health workforce shortage areas.
Social Work Licensure in Missouri
Licensing data from the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), the body that develops the social work licensing exams, captured 2026.
Missouri 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 Bachelors Social Worker | ASWB Bachelors exam | Yes |
The license ladder continues to the master's level (LAMSW, LMSW), and the clinical, independent-practice level (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.