Texas has 34 CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work programs, the authoritative count from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs. The longest-accredited is Our Lady of the Lake University, which has held CSWE accreditation since 1974. 6 of the 34 record an online option; the rest are campus-based. 6 are hosted at a Carnegie R1 (very high research) university and 12 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.
Texas BSW programs at a glance
34
CSWE-accredited BSW programs
1974
Oldest, Our Lady of the Lake University, accredited since
6
Offer an online option
18
At an R1 or R2 research university
Texas's 34 programs span CSWE accreditation from 1974 to 2022, and the highest-scoring on our five-factor model is Our Lady of the Lake University at 8.8 out of 10. The newest, Texas College, earned accreditation in 2022. Among the Texas programs we have verified tuition for, published in-state tuition runs from $4,416 to $57,130 a year. A child, family, and school social worker in Texas earns a median of $55,680 a year, 6% below the national median of $59,550 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
All 34 CSWE-Accredited BSW Programs in Texas
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 #10
Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, TX · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · Online or On-Campus
8.8
Online or On-Campus Full & part-time 2 campuses + online 2 certificates Accred. since 1974Why it ranks here
Our Lady of the Lake 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 (San Antonio, TX; La Feria, TX/Rio Grande Valley). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 2 embedded certificates (Other, Domestic Violence) and 3 dual-degree options.
Annual tuition (not factored)
$32,356 / year (private, one rate for all students)
2026-27 tuition · ollusa.edu
Locations
San Antonio, TX (1974-present); La Feria, TX/Rio Grande Valley (1974-present); Online (2021-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 8.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 10.0
- #2
University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington, TX · CSWE-Accredited since 1982 · Online or On-Campus
8.4
Online or On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full & part-time 1 campus + online 1 certificate Accred. since 1982Why it ranks here
University of Texas at Arlington has held CSWE accreditation since 1982, 44 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Social Work is offered both online and on campus (Arlington, TX). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 1 embedded certificate (Diversity Studies). Its home institution holds a Carnegie R1 classification for very high research activity.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $12,208 · Out-of-state $27,494 / year
2026-27 tuition & fees · uta.edu
Locations
Arlington, TX (1982-Present); Online (2022-Present); Fort Worth, TX (1982-2022)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 9.0
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 5.0
- #3
Texas State University
San Marcos, TX · CSWE-Accredited since 1978 · Online or On-Campus
8.3
Online or On-Campus Carnegie R2 Full & part-time 2 campuses + online Accred. since 1978Why it ranks here
Texas State University has held CSWE accreditation since 1978, 48 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Social Work is offered both online and on campus (San Marcos, TX; Round Rock, TX). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $8,606 · Out-of-state $20,366 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
San Marcos, TX (1978-present); Online (2018-present); Round Rock, TX (2023-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 9.7
- Delivery (22%) 8.0
- Prestige (15%) 7.5
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #4
Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, TX · CSWE-Accredited since 1977 · On-Campus
8.1
On-Campus Carnegie R2 Full & part-time 1 campus 2 certificates Accred. since 1977Why it ranks here
Texas Christian University has held CSWE accreditation since 1977, 49 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Fort Worth, TX). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 2 embedded certificates (Gender Studies, Other) and 1 dual-degree option. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Annual tuition (not factored)
$57,130 / year (private, one rate for all students)
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Fort Worth, TX (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%) 7.5
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 8.5
- #5
Abilene Christian University
Abilene, TX · CSWE-Accredited since 1982 · Online or On-Campus
8.0
Online or On-Campus Carnegie R2 Full & part-time 1 campus + online 1 certificate Accred. since 1982Why it ranks here
Abilene Christian University has held CSWE accreditation since 1982, 44 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Science in Social Work is offered both online and on campus (Abilene, TX). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 1 embedded certificate (Non-Profit Management). Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Annual tuition (not factored)
$42,100 / year (private, one rate for all students)
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Abilene, TX (1982-present); Online (2025-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%) 7.5
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 5.0
- #6
Tarleton State University
Bryan, TX · CSWE-Accredited since 1980 · On-Campus
7.9
On-Campus Carnegie R2 Full & part-time 4 campuses Accred. since 1980Why it ranks here
Tarleton State University has held CSWE accreditation since 1980, 46 years of standing as of 2026. The program is offered on 4 approved campuses (Bryan, TX; Fort Worth, TX; Stephenville, TX; and more). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $4,416 · Out-of-state $14,496 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Bryan, TX (2020-present); Fort Worth, TX (2012-present); Stephenville, TX (1980-present); Waco, TX (2012-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 9.4
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 7.5
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #7
Texas Woman's University
Denton, TX · 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
Texas Woman's University has held CSWE accreditation since 1974, 52 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Denton, TX). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 1 embedded certificate (Administration or Management). Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $5,712 · Out-of-state $15,792 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Denton, TX (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
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX · CSWE-Accredited since 1979 · On-Campus
7.7
On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 1979Why it ranks here
Texas Tech University has held CSWE accreditation since 1979, 47 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Lubbock, TX). 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 $8,935 · Out-of-state $21,534 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Lubbock, TX (1979-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%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #9
University of North Texas
Denton, TX · CSWE-Accredited since 1975 · On-Campus
7.7
On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full-time 1 campus 1 certificate Accred. since 1975Why it ranks here
University of North Texas has held CSWE accreditation since 1975, 51 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Denton, TX). The program runs on a full-time plan of study. It records 1 embedded certificate (Trauma). Its home institution holds a Carnegie R1 classification for very high research activity.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $8,319 · Out-of-state $18,399 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Denton, TX (1975-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 5.0
- #10
Baylor University
Waco, TX · CSWE-Accredited since 1976 · On-Campus
7.7
On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full-time 1 campus 1 certificate Accred. since 1976Why it ranks here
Baylor University has held CSWE accreditation since 1976, 50 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Waco, TX). The program runs on a full-time plan of study. It records 1 embedded certificate (Other). Its home institution holds a Carnegie R1 classification for very high research activity.
Annual tuition (not factored)
$54,844 / year (private, one rate for all students)
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Waco, TX (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%) 5.0
- #11
Texas Southern University
Houston, TX · CSWE-Accredited since 1977 · On-Campus
7.5
On-Campus Carnegie R2 Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 1977Why it ranks here
Texas Southern University has held CSWE accreditation since 1977, 49 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Houston, TX). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $6,941 · Out-of-state $18,701 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Houston, TX (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%) 7.5
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #12
University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg, TX · CSWE-Accredited since 1976 · On-Campus
7.4
On-Campus Carnegie R2 Full-time 1 campus 1 certificate Accred. since 1976Why it ranks here
University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley has held CSWE accreditation since 1976, 50 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Edinburg, TX). The program runs on a full-time plan of study. It records 1 embedded certificate (Other) and 1 dual-degree option. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $7,637 · Out-of-state $17,707 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Edinburg, TX (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%) 7.5
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 6.5
- #13
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX · CSWE-Accredited since 1975 · On-Campus
7.4
On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 1975Why it ranks here
University of Texas at Austin has held CSWE accreditation since 1975, 51 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Austin, TX). 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 $11,678 · Out-of-state $42,778 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Austin, TX (1975-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #14
East Texas A&M University
Commerce, TX · CSWE-Accredited since 1978 · On-Campus
7.4
On-Campus Carnegie R2 Full-time 2 campuses 1 certificate Accred. since 1978Why it ranks here
East Texas A&M University has held CSWE accreditation since 1978, 48 years of standing as of 2026. The program is offered on 2 approved campuses (Commerce, TX; Dallas, TX). The program runs on a full-time plan of study. It records 1 embedded certificate (Management). Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $4,790 · Out-of-state $17,390 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Commerce, TX (1978-present); Dallas, TX (2022-present); Mesquite, TX (1978-2023); Frisco, TX (1978-2023)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 9.7
- Delivery (22%) 5.0
- Prestige (15%) 7.5
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 5.0
- #15
West Texas A&M University
Canyon, TX · CSWE-Accredited since 1975 · On-Campus
7.2
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 1975Why it ranks here
West Texas A&M University has held CSWE accreditation since 1975, 51 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Canyon, TX). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $6,372 · Out-of-state $8,267 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Canyon, TX (1975-Present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #16
Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX · CSWE-Accredited since 1991 · On-Campus
7.0
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 1991Why it ranks here
Midwestern State University has held CSWE accreditation since 1991, 35 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Wichita Falls, TX). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 5 dual-degree options.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $5,877 · Out-of-state $7,827 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Wichita Falls, TX (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%) 10.0
- #17
Stephen F. Austin State University
Nacogdoches, TX · CSWE-Accredited since 1979 · On-Campus
6.9
On-Campus Full-time 3 campuses Accred. since 1979Why it ranks here
Stephen F. Austin State University has held CSWE accreditation since 1979, 47 years of standing as of 2026. The program is offered on 3 approved campuses (Nacogdoches, TX; The Woodlands, TX; Tyler, TX). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $7,842 · Out-of-state $17,922 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Nacogdoches, TX (1979-present); The Woodlands, TX (1979-present); Tyler, TX (1979-present); Online (2018-2021)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 9.5
- Delivery (22%) 6.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #18
St. Edward's University
Austin, TX · CSWE-Accredited since 1975 · On-Campus
6.9
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus 1 certificate Accred. since 1975Why it ranks here
St. Edward's University has held CSWE accreditation since 1975, 51 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Austin, TX). The program runs on a full-time plan of study. It records 1 embedded certificate (Addictions).
Annual tuition (not factored)
$50,484 / year (private, one rate for all students)
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Austin, TX (1975-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 5.0
- #19
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX · CSWE-Accredited since 1979 · On-Campus
6.9
On-Campus Carnegie R2 Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 1979Why it ranks here
Lamar University has held CSWE accreditation since 1979, 47 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Beaumont, TX). The program runs on a full-time plan of study. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $6,228 · Out-of-state $16,020 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Beaumont, TX (1979-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%) 7.5
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #20
Hardin-Simmons University
Abilene, TX · CSWE-Accredited since 1986 · On-Campus
6.8
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 1986Why it ranks here
Hardin-Simmons University has held CSWE accreditation since 1986, 40 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Abilene, TX). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 2 dual-degree options.
Annual tuition (not factored)
$30,694 / year (private, one rate for all students)
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Abilene, TX (1986-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 8.4
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 6.0
- #21
Prairie View A&M University
Prairie View, TX · CSWE-Accredited since 1980 · On-Campus
6.8
On-Campus Carnegie R2 Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 1980Why it ranks here
Prairie View A&M University has held CSWE accreditation since 1980, 46 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Prairie View, TX). The program runs on a full-time plan of study. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $7,387 · Out-of-state $22,590 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Prairie View, TX (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%) 7.5
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #22
University of Texas at El Paso
El Paso, TX · CSWE-Accredited since 1994 · On-Campus
6.3
On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 1994Why it ranks here
University of Texas at El Paso has held CSWE accreditation since 1994, 32 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (El Paso, TX). 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 $7,704 · Out-of-state $23,472 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
El Paso, TX (1994-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 7.1
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #23
Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX · CSWE-Accredited since 2010 · Online or On-Campus
5.6
Online or On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus + online Accred. since 2010Why it ranks here
Angelo State University has held CSWE accreditation since 2010, 16 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Social Work is offered both online and on campus (San Angelo, TX). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $4,495 · Out-of-state $14,575 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
San Angelo, TX (2010-present); Online (2018-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 4.6
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #24
University of Houston-Clear Lake
Houston, TX · CSWE-Accredited since 2001 · On-Campus
5.6
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 2001Why it ranks here
University of Houston-Clear Lake has held CSWE accreditation since 2001, 25 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Houston, TX). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $6,600 · Out-of-state $20,784 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Houston, TX (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%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #25
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Belton, TX · CSWE-Accredited since 1994 · On-Campus
5.5
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 1994Why it ranks here
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor has held CSWE accreditation since 1994, 32 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Belton, TX). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
$30,600 / year (private, one rate for all students)
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Belton, TX (1994 - present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 7.1
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #26
University of Texas of the Permian Basin
Odessa, TX · CSWE-Accredited since 2003 · On-Campus
5.4
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 2003Why it ranks here
University of Texas of the Permian Basin has held CSWE accreditation since 2003, 23 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Odessa, TX). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $6,577 · Out-of-state $18,817 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Odessa, TX (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
- #27
Howard Payne University
Brownwood, TX · CSWE-Accredited since 1997 · On-Campus
5.3
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 1997Why it ranks here
Howard Payne University has held CSWE accreditation since 1997, 29 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Brownwood, TX). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
$29,522 / year (private, one rate for all students)
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Brownwood, TX (1997-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 6.6
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #28
Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Kingsville, TX · CSWE-Accredited since 2004 · On-Campus
5.3
On-Campus Carnegie R2 Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 2004Why it ranks here
Texas A&M University-Kingsville has held CSWE accreditation since 2004, 22 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Kingsville, TX). The program runs on a full-time plan of study. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $5,137 · Out-of-state $18,493 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Kingsville, TX (2004-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 5.5
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 7.5
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #29
Nelson University
Waxahachie, TX · CSWE-Accredited since 2018 · Online or On-Campus
5.1
Online or On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus + online Accred. since 2018Why it ranks here
Nelson University has held CSWE accreditation since 2018, 8 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelors of Social Work is offered both online and on campus (Waxahachie, TX). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
$17,650 / year (private, one rate for all students)
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Waxahachie, TX (2018-present); Online (2018-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 3.3
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #30
University of Houston-Downtown
Houston, TX · CSWE-Accredited since 2008 · On-Campus
5.1
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 2008Why it ranks here
University of Houston-Downtown has held CSWE accreditation since 2008, 18 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Houston, TX). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $6,080 · Out-of-state $16,016 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Houston, TX (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%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #31
Texas A&M University-Central Texas
Killeen, TX · CSWE-Accredited since 2014 · On-Campus
4.7
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 2014Why it ranks here
Texas A&M University-Central Texas has held CSWE accreditation since 2014, 12 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Killeen, TX). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $6,593 · Out-of-state $16,385 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Killeen, TX (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%) 3.0
- #32
University of Texas at Tyler
Tyler, TX · CSWE-Accredited since 2021 · On-Campus
4.7
On-Campus Carnegie R2 Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 2021Why it ranks here
University of Texas at Tyler has held CSWE accreditation since 2021, 5 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Tyler, TX). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $7,020 · Out-of-state $22,320 / year
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Tyler, TX (2021-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 2.8
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 7.5
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #33
Jarvis Christian University
Hawkins, TX · CSWE-Accredited since 2016 · On-Campus
4.1
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 2016Why it ranks here
Jarvis Christian University has held CSWE accreditation since 2016, 10 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Hawkins, TX). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
$10,400 / year (private, one rate for all students)
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Hawkins, TX (2016-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 3.6
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #34
Texas College
Tyler, TX · CSWE-Accredited since 2022 · On-Campus
3.7
On-Campus Full-time 1 campus Accred. since 2022Why it ranks here
Texas College has held CSWE accreditation since 2022, 4 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Tyler, TX). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
$8,208 / year (private, one rate for all students)
2023-24 published tuition (IPEDS) · IPEDS / NCES
Locations
Tyler, TX (2022-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 2.6
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
How Much Does a BSW Cost in Texas in 2026?
The spread between the cheapest and most expensive BSW in Texas is wider than almost anywhere else. Tarleton State charges $4,416 a year in state, while Texas Christian University lists $57,130, which means four years at the cheapest public costs less than a single semester at the priciest private. Texas has kept public in-state tuition unusually low by national standards, and six accredited BSW publics, including Angelo State, East Texas A&M, Texas A&M-Kingsville, Texas Woman's, and Midwestern State, price a full year under $6,000 before aid. If you qualify for in-state rates and pick from that group, tuition for the whole degree can land under $20,000, a figure many states cannot touch at any public campus.
Sticker price is a starting point, not a bill. Private universities discount heavily through institutional aid, so Baylor's $54,844 or Abilene Christian's $42,100 is rarely what an admitted student actually pays, and a strong aid offer can pull a private surprisingly close to a public. The reverse is also true. Publics discount less, so their low stickers sit closer to real cost. Watch the outliers as well. Jarvis Christian, a private HBCU, lists $10,400, below the all-in cost of many publics, and West Texas A&M charges out-of-state students $8,267, less than UT Austin charges Texans at $11,678. If you are applying from outside Texas, that one quirk can save you tens of thousands compared to UT Austin's $42,778 nonresident rate.
Weigh all of this against what the job pays. The Texas median for child, family, and school social workers is $55,680, and that figure covers every degree level and experience band, so a new BSW graduate should expect to start below it. A degree financed at Tarleton or Angelo State prices is easy to service on that income. Four years at TCU's sticker price tops $228,000, and that is not, unless aid rewrites the math. For online students, confirm how each public prices distance enrollment, because residency rules and online rates vary by institution and the answer can change your total cost more than any ranking will.
Bachelor of Social Work Field Placements in Texas: What to Expect in 2026
CSWE's 2022 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards require at least 400 hours of supervised field education in every accredited BSW, and in practice most Texas programs concentrate those hours in the final year, placing you inside a working agency under a credentialed supervisor while you take a companion seminar on campus. Those 400 hours are the closest thing social work education has to a residency, and they are usually the deciding factor in your first job offer. That is why the placement network a program actually maintains matters more than almost anything in its brochure, and why it deserves more scrutiny than applicants usually give it.
Texas offers a range of settings few states can match. Students place with the Department of Family and Protective Services, which runs child protective services statewide, with large county hospital and health systems in Houston and Dallas, and with school districts nearly everywhere. Programs in Edinburg, El Paso, and the Rio Grande Valley put students into border and colonia communities where bilingual practice is the daily norm. Campuses in San Angelo, Lubbock, Canyon, and Odessa anchor placements across rural West Texas, where a student may be the only social work intern for miles. In Killeen and Belton, agencies serve a heavily military population, useful experience if you are eyeing federal or veteran-serving work.
Multi-campus programs quietly widen your options. Tarleton State operates in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, and Bryan, Stephen F. Austin reaches from Nacogdoches to The Woodlands and Tyler, Texas State spans San Marcos and Round Rock, and East Texas A&M covers Commerce and Dallas, so each maintains agency relationships across several labor markets at once. Before you commit anywhere, ask the field office direct questions. Where did last year's students actually go, who arranges the placement, how far will you drive, and can working students complete an employment-based placement at their current agency? Vague answers to those questions are a warning sign, whatever the program's reputation.
What Can You Do With an LBSW in Texas in 2026?
Many states do not license social workers at the bachelor's level at all, which makes the Texas LBSW a genuine credential rather than a formality. The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council, through the State Board of Social Worker Examiners, grants the Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker title to graduates of CSWE-accredited BSW programs who pass the ASWB Bachelors exam. That means your degree converts into a state-recognized professional license within months of graduation, with title protection and a regulatory board behind it. In states without bachelor's licensure, the same graduate is simply a person with a degree.
Be clear about the boundaries. The LBSW carries no diagnostic authority, so you cannot diagnose mental health conditions or practice clinical therapy independently. That territory belongs to the LCSW. What the license does open is the front line of the profession: case management with DFPS and other child-welfare and human-services agencies, care coordination in hospitals and clinics, school-based family support, aging and disability services, and community agency work across a state that employs roughly 43,650 social workers. For generalist practice roles, a license on your resume separates you from applicants holding unlicensed human services degrees, and some public agencies treat it as a hiring preference or requirement.
The ASWB Bachelors exam also does quiet work for your future. It is your first standardized licensure test, and passing it while your coursework is fresh is far easier than returning to it years later. Ask programs directly how their curriculum maps to the exam and how graduates fare on it. An LBSW then becomes a strategic bridge: you can practice under your own license, bank supervised experience, and enter an MSW program later through Advanced Standing with both a credential and a professional track record that a fresh applicant cannot show.
Bachelor of Social Work Salaries in Texas: What the 2026 Numbers Mean
Two facts about Texas look like a contradiction until you think about scale. The state employs one of the largest absolute social work workforces in the country, yet its location quotients sit between 0.51 and 0.68 across every specialty, meaning social workers make up a markedly smaller share of Texas jobs than they do nationally, about 1.54 child, family, and school positions per 1,000 jobs statewide. There is no mystery here. The Texas economy is enormous and diverse, so the denominator swamps the numerator. For you, the practical reading is that opportunity is real but unevenly spread, concentrated in metros and public systems, thinner in between.
That thinness cuts both ways. In smaller markets you may face less competition per opening, since fewer credentialed social workers live there, but you will also find sparser supervision networks, which matters if you plan to pursue an MSW and eventually clinical licensure. The specialty spread deserves your attention too. Healthcare social workers in Texas earn a median of $69,990, slightly above the national figure, while mental health and substance abuse social workers earn $46,630, well below the national $60,280. The lesson is blunt: in Texas, your setting choice moves your income more than your zip code does, and hospital systems currently pay a meaningful premium over behavioral health agencies.
The headline medians need honest framing. The child, family, and school median of $55,680 runs about 6.5% under the national figure, but Texas has no state income tax, which its constitution now prohibits outright, and living costs outside Austin and the biggest metros run modest, so take-home purchasing power closes much of that gap. Remember also that BLS wage data pools every degree level, from new LBSWs to veteran LMSWs in the same occupational codes, so bachelor's-level roles sit toward the lower end of each range and the upper percentiles mostly reflect advanced licenses and experience. Read the $37,230 end of the child and family range as your realistic entry neighborhood, and the ladder above it as what licensure progression buys.
BSW vs. MSW in Texas: Which Should You Start in 2026?
Texas structures social work licensure as a ladder: LBSW at the bachelor's level, LMSW and the LMSW-AP at the master's level, and LCSW for independent clinical practice. Because the state licenses at every rung, the BSW versus MSW question plays out differently here than in states where nothing happens until the master's. In Texas, a BSW is not a waiting room. It is a working credential, and that changes the calculus for anyone deciding where to enter.
Starting with a BSW makes sense if you are early in your education and want income and experience sooner. A CSWE-accredited BSW qualifies you for Advanced Standing admission to an MSW, which can cut the master's to as little as one year, so the BSW route often reaches the same endpoint in similar total time while letting you practice, earn, and confirm the career fits before you commit to graduate school. Many students work as LBSWs while completing an MSW part time, and an employer, especially a public agency, may help fund it. Field education compounds the advantage, since your 400 undergraduate hours plus paid LBSW practice give you a deeper base than a career changer entering an MSW cold.
Skip straight to the master's if you already hold a bachelor's degree in another field. A second bachelor's rarely pays, a traditional two-year MSW gets you to the LMSW faster from where you stand, and Advanced Standing is closed to you anyway without a BSW. The same logic applies if you are certain your destination is clinical practice and you want the shortest runway to the supervision hours an LCSW requires. But if you are choosing a major right now, in a state with 34 accredited BSW options, public tuition among the lowest anywhere, and a real bachelor's-level license waiting at graduation, the BSW is an unusually strong opening move.
The Social Work Industry in Texas
A Bachelor of Social Work is the entry credential for Texas'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, Texas's 34 accredited programs are based across 33 cities, including San Antonio, La Feria, Arlington, San Marcos, Round Rock, Fort Worth, and others, 6 offering an online option. 18 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 Texas 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 0.61 in Texas, meaning the occupation is 39% less concentrated than the national average. The state supports roughly 1.5 of these jobs per 1,000 jobs statewide.
In Texas, social workers held about 43,650 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 TX | Median | Mean | 10th to 90th pct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child, family, and school social workers | 21,670 | $55,680 | $55,700 | $37,230 to $73,670 |
| Healthcare social workers | 10,880 | $69,990 | $69,990 | $40,210 to $98,150 |
| Mental health and substance abuse social workers | 8,220 | $46,630 | $53,450 | $36,870 to $79,210 |
| Social workers, all other | 2,880 | $84,240 | $85,030 | $40,350 to $134,450 |
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 Texas; O*NET: Child, Family, and School Social Workers; CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs; HRSA health workforce shortage areas.
Social Work Licensure in Texas
Licensing data from the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), the body that develops the social work licensing exams, captured 2026.
Texas 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 Baccalaureate Social Worker | ASWB Bachelors exam | Yes |
The license ladder continues to the master's level (LMSW, LMSW-AP), 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CSWE-accredited BSW programs are in Texas?
Can you earn a BSW online in Texas?
What can you do with a BSW in Texas?
How are these Texas BSW programs ranked?
BSW Programs by City in Texas (2026)
City pages cover Texas's 5 largest cities, 5 of which host an accredited BSW campus. Each one shows the programs in that city, accredited campuses within 60 miles, online options, and local wage data for the metro area.
BSW Programs in Houston
Population 2,314,157
3 in city · 2 nearby
BSW Programs in San Antonio
Population 1,495,295
1 in city · 1 nearby
BSW Programs in Dallas
Population 1,302,868
1 in city · 6 nearby
BSW Programs in Austin
Population 979,882
2 in city · 3 nearby
BSW Programs in Fort Worth
Population 978,468
2 in city · 5 nearby