New York has 30 CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work programs, the authoritative count from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs. The longest-accredited is Adelphi University, which has held CSWE accreditation since 1951. 6 of the 30 record an online option; the rest are campus-based. 5 are hosted at a Carnegie R1 (very high research) university and 3 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.
New York BSW programs at a glance
30
CSWE-accredited BSW programs
1951
Oldest, Adelphi University, accredited since
6
Offer an online option
8
At an R1 or R2 research university
New York's 30 programs span CSWE accreditation from 1951 to 2019, and the highest-scoring on our five-factor model is Syracuse University at 8.6 out of 10, a Carnegie R1 research university. The newest, Binghamton University, State University of New York, earned accreditation in 2019. Among the New York programs we have verified tuition for, published in-state tuition runs from $6,930 to $69,180 a year. A child, family, and school social worker in New York earns a median of $65,100 a year, 9% above the national median of $59,550 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
All 30 CSWE-Accredited BSW Programs in New York
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
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY · CSWE-Accredited since 1975 · Online or On-Campus
8.6
Online or On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full & part-time 1 campus + online Accred. since 1975Why it ranks here
Syracuse University has held CSWE accreditation since 1975, 51 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor's of Science of Social Work is offered both online and on campus (Syracuse, NY). 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)
$69,180 / year (private, one rate for all students)
2026-27 tuition · syracuse.edu
Locations
Syracuse, NY (1975-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%) 3.0
- #2
SUNY Buffalo State University
Buffalo, NY · CSWE-Accredited since 1975 · Online or On-Campus
8.0
Online or On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus + online 1 certificate Accred. since 1975Why it ranks here
SUNY Buffalo State University has held CSWE accreditation since 1975, 51 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Social Work is offered both online and on campus (Buffalo, NY). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 1 embedded certificate (Child Welfare).
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $7,070 · Out-of-state $17,490 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Buffalo, NY (1975-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%) 5.0
- #3
University at Albany, State University of New York
Albany, NY · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · On-Campus
7.9
On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 1974Why it ranks here
University at Albany, State University of New York has held CSWE accreditation since 1974, 52 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Albany, NY). 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 $7,070 · Out-of-state $25,660 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Albany, NY (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%) 3.0
- #4
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY · CSWE-Accredited since 1951 · On-Campus
7.8
On-Campus Full & part-time 4 campuses Accred. since 1951Why it ranks here
Adelphi University has held CSWE accreditation since 1951, 75 years of standing as of 2026. The program is offered on 4 approved campuses (Garden City, NY; Hauppauge, NY; New York, NY; and more). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
$45,450 / year (private, one rate for all students)
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Garden City, NY (1951-present); Hauppauge, NY (1951-present); New York, NY (1951-present); Middletown, NY (2019-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
- #5
SUNY Brockport
Brockport, NY · CSWE-Accredited since 1973 · Online or On-Campus
7.8
Online or On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus + online Accred. since 1973Why it ranks here
SUNY Brockport has held CSWE accreditation since 1973, 53 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Science in Social Work is offered both online and on campus (Brockport, NY). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $7,070 · Out-of-state $14,140 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Brockport, NY (1973-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%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #6
Roberts Wesleyan University
Rochester, NY · CSWE-Accredited since 1979 · Online or On-Campus
7.6
Online or On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus + online Accred. since 1979Why it ranks here
Roberts Wesleyan University has held CSWE accreditation since 1979, 47 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Science is offered both online and on campus (Rochester, NY). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
$36,004 / year (private, one rate for all students)
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Rochester, NY (1979-Present); Online (2021-Present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 9.5
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #7
Keuka College
Keuka Park, NY · 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
Keuka College has held CSWE accreditation since 1982, 44 years of standing as of 2026. The BSSW is offered both online and on campus (Keuka Park, NY). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
$36,500 / year (private, one rate for all students)
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Keuka Park, NY (1982-present); Online (2021-present); Horseheads, NY (1982-2023); Binghamton, NY (1982-2023); Corning, NY (1982-2023); Syracuse, NY (1982-2023); Dansville, NY (1982-2023); Canandaigua, NY (1982-2023); Watertown, NY (1982-2023); Utica, NY (1982-2023); Rome, NY (1982-2023); Rochester, NY (1982-2023); East Syracuse, NY (1982-2023); Dryden, NY (1982-2023); Fayetteville, NY (1982-2023); Dewitt, NY (1982-2023)
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
- #8
New York University
New York, NY · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · On-Campus
7.4
On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 1974Why it ranks here
New York University has held CSWE accreditation since 1974, 52 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (New York, NY). 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)
$60,438 / year (private, one rate for all students)
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
New York, NY (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%) 3.0
- #9
State University of New York at Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY · CSWE-Accredited since 1976 · On-Campus
7.4
On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 1976Why it ranks here
State University of New York at Stony Brook has held CSWE accreditation since 1976, 50 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Stony Brook, NY). 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)
In-state $7,070 · Out-of-state $26,860 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Stony Brook, NY (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%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #10
Nazareth University
Rochester, NY · CSWE-Accredited since 1977 · On-Campus
7.3
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus 1 certificate Accred. since 1977Why it ranks here
Nazareth University has held CSWE accreditation since 1977, 49 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Rochester, NY). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 1 embedded certificate (School Social Work).
Annual tuition (not factored)
$38,790 / year (private, one rate for all students)
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Rochester, NY (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%) 5.0
- #11
Niagara University
Lewiston, NY · CSWE-Accredited since 1982 · On-Campus
7.3
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 1982Why it ranks here
Niagara University has held CSWE accreditation since 1982, 44 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Lewiston, NY). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 3 dual-degree options.
Annual tuition (not factored)
$36,100 / year (private, one rate for all students)
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Lewiston, NY (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%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 7.5
- #12
Iona University
Bronxville NY · CSWE-Accredited since 1979 · On-Campus
7.2
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus 1 certificate Accred. since 1979Why it ranks here
Iona University has held CSWE accreditation since 1979, 47 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Bronxville NY). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 1 embedded certificate (Other).
Annual tuition (not factored)
$43,680 / year (private, one rate for all students)
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
New Rochelle, NY (1979-2023); Bronxville NY (2023-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
- #13
Molloy University
Rockville Centre, NY · CSWE-Accredited since 1977 · On-Campus
7.1
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 1977Why it ranks here
Molloy University has held CSWE accreditation since 1977, 49 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Rockville Centre, NY). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
$36,280 / year (private, one rate for all students)
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Rockville Centre, NY (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
- #14
State University of New York at Plattsburgh
Plattsburgh, NY · CSWE-Accredited since 1996 · Online or On-Campus
7.0
Online or On-Campus Full & part-time 2 campuses + online 1 certificate Accred. since 1996Why it ranks here
State University of New York at Plattsburgh has held CSWE accreditation since 1996, 30 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Science is offered both online and on campus (Plattsburgh, NY; Queensbury, NY). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 1 embedded certificate (International Social Work).
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $7,070 · Out-of-state $16,980 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Plattsburgh, NY (1996-present); Online (2018-present); Queensbury, NY (2024-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 6.8
- Delivery (22%) 8.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 5.0
- #15
Marist University
Poughkeepsie, NY · CSWE-Accredited since 1982 · On-Campus
6.8
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 1982Why it ranks here
Marist University has held CSWE accreditation since 1982, 44 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Poughkeepsie, NY). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
$45,330 / year (private, one rate for all students)
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Poughkeepsie, NY (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%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #16
Daemen University
Amherst, NY · CSWE-Accredited since 1977 · On-Campus
6.6
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 1977Why it ranks here
Daemen University has held CSWE accreditation since 1977, 49 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Amherst, NY). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
$33,054 / year (private, one rate for all students)
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Amherst, NY (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
- #17
York College, City University of New York
Jamaica, NY · CSWE-Accredited since 1985 · On-Campus
6.6
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 1985Why it ranks here
York College, City University of New York has held CSWE accreditation since 1985, 41 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Jamaica, NY). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $6,930 · Out-of-state $14,880 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Jamaica, NY (1985-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 8.6
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #18
Dominican University New York
Orangeburg, NY · CSWE-Accredited since 1978 · On-Campus
6.6
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 1978Why it ranks here
Dominican University New York has held CSWE accreditation since 1978, 48 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Orangeburg, NY). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
$32,160 / year (private, one rate for all students)
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Orangeburg, NY (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
- #19
Lehman College, City University of New York
Bronx, NY · CSWE-Accredited since 1983 · On-Campus
6.5
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus 1 certificate Accred. since 1983Why it ranks here
Lehman College, City University of New York has held CSWE accreditation since 1983, 43 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Bronx, NY). The program runs on a full-time plan of study. It records 1 embedded certificate (Addictions).
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $6,930 · Out-of-state $14,880 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Bronx, NY (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%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 5.0
- #20
Fordham University
New York, NY · CSWE-Accredited since 1999 · On-Campus
6.3
On-Campus Carnegie R2 Full & part-time 2 campuses Accred. since 1999Why it ranks here
Fordham University has held CSWE accreditation since 1999, 27 years of standing as of 2026. The program is offered on 2 approved campuses (New York, NY; West Harrison, NY). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Annual tuition (not factored)
$60,335 / year (private, one rate for all students)
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
New York, NY (1975-1983; 1999-present); West Harrison, NY (1975-1983; 1999-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 6.3
- Delivery (22%) 5.0
- Prestige (15%) 7.5
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #21
Long Island University, Post
Brookville, NY · CSWE-Accredited since 1999 · On-Campus
6.3
On-Campus Carnegie R2 Full & part-time 2 campuses Accred. since 1999Why it ranks here
Long Island University, Post has held CSWE accreditation since 1999, 27 years of standing as of 2026. The program is offered on 2 approved campuses (Brookville, NY; Brentwood, NY). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Annual tuition (not factored)
$39,458 / year (private, one rate for all students)
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Brookville, NY (1999-Present); Brentwood, NY (1999-Present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 6.3
- Delivery (22%) 5.0
- Prestige (15%) 7.5
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #22
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NY · CSWE-Accredited since 1983 · On-Campus
6.2
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 1983Why it ranks here
Skidmore College has held CSWE accreditation since 1983, 43 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Saratoga Springs, NY). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
$63,730 / year (private, one rate for all students)
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Saratoga Springs, NY (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%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #23
Siena University
Loudonville, NY · CSWE-Accredited since 1985 · On-Campus
6.1
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 1985Why it ranks here
Siena University has held CSWE accreditation since 1985, 41 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Loudonville, NY). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
$42,580 / year (private, one rate for all students)
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Loudonville, NY (1985-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 8.6
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #24
Long Island University, Brooklyn
Brooklyn, NY · CSWE-Accredited since 1999 · On-Campus
6.1
On-Campus Carnegie R2 Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 1999Why it ranks here
Long Island University, Brooklyn has held CSWE accreditation since 1999, 27 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Brooklyn, NY). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Annual tuition (not factored)
$39,458 / year (private, one rate for all students)
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Brooklyn, NY (1999-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 6.3
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 7.5
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #25
Mercy University
Dobbs Ferry, NY · CSWE-Accredited since 1997 · On-Campus
5.6
On-Campus Full-time 2 campuses Accred. since 1997Why it ranks here
Mercy University has held CSWE accreditation since 1997, 29 years of standing as of 2026. The program is offered on 2 approved campuses (Dobbs Ferry, NY; Bronx, NY). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
$21,236 / year (private, one rate for all students)
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Dobbs Ferry, NY (1979-present); Bronx, NY (1979-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 6.6
- Delivery (22%) 5.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #26
State University of New York at Fredonia
Fredonia, NY · CSWE-Accredited since 1999 · On-Campus
5.2
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 1999Why it ranks here
State University of New York at Fredonia has held CSWE accreditation since 1999, 27 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Fredonia, NY). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $7,070 · Out-of-state $17,490 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Fredonia, NY (1999-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 6.3
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #27
Medgar Evers College, City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY · CSWE-Accredited since 2009 · On-Campus
5.0
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 2009Why it ranks here
Medgar Evers College, City University of New York has held CSWE accreditation since 2009, 17 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Brooklyn, NY). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $6,930 · Out-of-state $14,880 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Brooklyn, NY (2009-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 4.7
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #28
College of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY · CSWE-Accredited since 2011 · On-Campus
4.9
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 2011Why it ranks here
College of Staten Island has held CSWE accreditation since 2011, 15 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Staten Island, NY). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $6,930 · Out-of-state $14,880 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Staten Island, NY (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
- #29
Hunter College, City University of New York
New York, NY · CSWE-Accredited since 2014 · On-Campus
4.7
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus 2 certificates Accred. since 2014Why it ranks here
Hunter College, City University of New York has held CSWE accreditation since 2014, 12 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (New York, NY). The program runs on a full-time plan of study. It records 2 embedded certificates (Child Welfare, Other).
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $6,930 · Out-of-state $14,880 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
New York, NY (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%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 7.0
- #30
Binghamton University, State University of New York
Binghamton, NY · CSWE-Accredited since 2019 · On-Campus
4.7
On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 2019Why it ranks here
Binghamton University, State University of New York has held CSWE accreditation since 2019, 7 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Binghamton, NY). 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)
In-state $7,070 · Out-of-state $26,160 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Binghamton, NY (2019-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%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
What Does a BSW Cost in New York in 2026?
New York's two public systems keep the entry price remarkably low. Every one of the five CUNY colleges with a BSW charges the identical in-state rate, $6,930 a year at the senior colleges, and every SUNY four-year campus charges $7,070. Treat both figures as tuition only. SUNY lists mandatory student fees of $1,830 a year as a separate line, and CUNY bills its required fees separately as well, so the real annual bill sits meaningfully above the sticker tuition at both systems.
Out-of-state students face a different calculation. CUNY charges nonresidents $14,880 across its BSW colleges, while SUNY's out-of-state rates vary by campus even though its in-state rate does not, running from $16,980 at Plattsburgh up to $26,860 at Stony Brook. Private tuition climbs another order of magnitude: the most expensive option, Syracuse at $69,180, costs roughly ten times what CUNY charges a New York resident. The clear private outlier is Mercy University at $21,236, priced closer to SUNY's out-of-state rates than to its private peers.
Sticker tuition is also not the number that decides most budgets. All of these figures are published prices before aid, and privates in particular often discount heavily. More importantly, living costs in New York City can exceed the entire tuition bill at a public campus, while upstate towns in Western New York or the North Country cost far less to live in. Compare full cost of attendance, housing included, not tuition alone.
Can You Work as a Social Worker in New York With Just a BSW in 2026?
Start with the plain legal fact: NYSED states that the Education Law does not authorize it to license someone holding a BSW degree. New York has no bachelor's-level social work license of any kind. Some states do issue one, and graduates there can hold an independent credential straight out of a BSW program. In New York, a BSW holder may perform certain social work functions, but only under the supervision of a licensed master's-level or clinical social worker, and may not use a protected professional title.
That is a real constraint, but it is not a dead end. BSW graduates in New York work inside supervised structures in agencies where licensed practitioners direct the work, doing the direct-service tasks the degree trains them for. The supervision requirement shapes where you can work and what your job title says, not whether the degree has value. What it does mean is that your career in this state has a built-in second step, because independence and a protected title only arrive with graduate-level licensure.
The master's degree is therefore the real gate in New York. The LMSW requires a master's degree in social work and a passing score on the ASWB Masters examination, and everything above it builds from there. Choose a BSW program with that trajectory in mind, treating the bachelor's years as preparation for graduate admission rather than as a terminal credential.
Where Do New York BSW Students Complete Field Placements in 2026?
Five CUNY colleges offer the BSW, one in each borough: Hunter in Manhattan, Lehman in the Bronx, York in Jamaica, Queens, Medgar Evers in Brooklyn, and the College of Staten Island. Students in the city train in the shadow of some of the largest public service systems in the country. Child welfare in the five boroughs runs through the Administration for Children's Services. Public benefits flow through the Human Resources Administration, which sits under the Department of Social Services, and New York City Public Schools operates the school system. These are the kinds of settings city students encounter, and their sheer scale shapes what urban practice looks like.
Cross into upstate New York and the picture inverts. A student at SUNY Plattsburgh in the North Country, at Binghamton in the Southern Tier, or at one of the Western and Central New York campuses like Brockport, Fredonia, or Nazareth will more often train in smaller agencies serving wide rural areas. Caseloads there tend to demand generalist range, longer travel, and comfort working where a single agency may be the only provider for miles. Neither environment is better preparation. They are different professions in texture, and your placement region usually previews your first job market.
Whichever region you choose, interrogate the placement network before you enroll. CSWE's 2022 accreditation standards require supervised field education in every accredited program, so the question is never whether you will get a placement but where. Ask each program which agencies host its students, how placements are matched, and how far students typically travel.
Why Do Social Work Salaries in New York Run Above the National Median in 2026?
Two forces work together. First, New York pays above the national median in every social work specialty, from about 8 percent above in healthcare to about 32 percent above in mental health and substance abuse work, where the state median reaches $79,380. Second, the state does not just pay more for this work, it employs unusually large numbers of people to do it: location quotients of 1.79 in behavioral health and 1.75 in healthcare mean New York's concentration of these social workers runs far above the national rate. When a state both concentrates a profession and pays a premium for it, that signals sustained institutional demand rather than a temporary shortage.
Read those numbers with two honest corrections. BLS pools every degree level into one occupation, so bachelor's-level roles cluster toward the bottom of each range, and in child, family, and school work the 10th percentile sits near $48,400. That is the neighborhood where a new BSW graduate typically starts, not the median. Cost of living cuts the other way too, since New York City housing absorbs a large share of any salary premium, while upstate wages stretch further. The long-run backdrop is steady rather than explosive: BLS projects 7 percent national growth for social workers from 2024 to 2034.
From BSW to LMSW in New York: The Advanced Standing Path in 2026
Because New York issues no bachelor's-level license, the BSW's real strategic value here is speed into the MSW, and from there into the LMSW. The LMSW itself is more reachable than many students assume: it requires a master's degree in social work and a passing score on the ASWB Masters examination, with no supervised hours required to obtain the license. One distinction matters. Once licensed, an LMSW may practice clinical social work only under the supervision of an LCSW, licensed psychologist, or psychiatrist, but that is a limit on scope of practice, not a hurdle you must clear before getting licensed.
The LCSW is the longer climb. It requires an MSW with at least 12 semester hours of clinical coursework, the ASWB Clinical examination, and three years of post-graduate supervised clinical experience, including at least 2,000 client contact hours and at least 100 hours of in-person clinical supervision, all completed within six years. Nothing in your BSW counts toward those hours, which is another reason the bachelor's degree functions as a launch pad rather than a destination in this state.
Advanced Standing is where the BSW pays off, but no statewide rule guarantees it: each MSW program sets its own criteria. York College requires a CSWE-accredited BSW completed within the last five years, plus a 3.0 overall GPA and a 3.2 in the social work major. Adelphi's online Advanced Standing MSW accepts graduates of accredited BSW programs from the last five years and runs 31 credits, completable in about 15 months. That five-year recency window recurs at named New York programs, so treat it as a pattern worth checking, and avoid letting your BSW age out before you apply.
The Social Work Industry in New York
A Bachelor of Social Work is the entry credential for New York'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, New York's 30 accredited programs are based across 31 cities, including Syracuse, Buffalo, Albany, Garden City, Hauppauge, New York, and others, 6 offering an online option. 8 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 New York 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.
Child, family, and school social workers, the most common BSW-level specialty, have a location quotient of 1.23 in New York, meaning the occupation is 23% more concentrated than the national average. The state supports roughly 3.1 of these jobs per 1,000 jobs statewide.
In New York, social workers held about 67,900 jobs across the four social work occupations as of May 2025, per the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. Employment, annual wages, and pay range by specialty:
| Occupation | Employed in NY | Median | Mean | 10th to 90th pct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child, family, and school social workers | 30,170 | $65,100 | $72,150 | $48,400 to $100,100 |
| Healthcare social workers | 20,440 | $73,070 | $75,170 | $47,750 to $103,730 |
| Mental health and substance abuse social workers | 14,820 | $79,380 | $86,110 | $54,650 to $122,340 |
| Social workers, all other | 2,470 | $84,010 | $84,540 | $58,200 to $112,140 |
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. Location quotient compares the state's job concentration to the national average (1.0 = the national rate). O*NET reports tasks, skills, and local outlook by occupation.
Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Social Workers; BLS state wage data for New York; O*NET: Child, Family, and School Social Workers; CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs; HRSA health workforce shortage areas.
Social Work Licensure in New York
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 (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.