Why CSWE Accreditation Is the Credential That Matters
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) as the sole accrediting body for social work education in the United States. A CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work is the foundation credential of the profession: it qualifies graduates for entry-level, direct-service positions, satisfies the educational requirement for baccalaureate-level licensure (LSW/LBSW) in states that offer it, and is the prerequisite for Advanced Standing admission to a CSWE-accredited MSW.
As of the CSWE directory snapshot used for this ranking, 536 baccalaureate programs hold full accreditation, the oldest dating to 1942. Continuity of accreditation is the single heaviest factor in our model, because programs that have maintained EPAS standards across many review cycles provide stronger evidence of institutional commitment than newer entrants still establishing their track record.
What a BSW Prepares You For
A BSW is built around generalist practice and a minimum of 400 supervised field-education hours. Graduates move into roles such as case manager, child and family caseworker, community-service worker, and social and human-service assistant. Clinical practice and the LCSW credential require a master's degree; the fastest route is Advanced Standing, which waives MSW foundation coursework for recent CSWE-accredited BSW holders.
The broader labor-market context is favorable. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects social-worker employment will grow 7% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, with roughly 67,300 openings projected each year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Social Workers (bls.gov). Program data: CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs.
Top 20 BSW Programs, Detailed Rankings
Each score is a weighted composite of five factors. Four are sourced directly from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs; the fifth, prestige, uses the institution's 2025 Carnegie research classification. No data is drawn from affiliate or commercial directories.
- #1
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · Online or On-Campus
9.3
Online or On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full & part-time 1 campus + online 6 certificates Accred. since 1974Why it ranks nationally
Michigan State University awards the BASW from East Lansing, MI. The generalist placement comes in the senior year at roughly 16 hours a week, paired with an integrative seminar facilitated by an LMSW. Students help drive the match, stating interests and preferences and holding pre-placement conversations with agencies drawn from a network of more than 850 programs in Michigan and abroad. A survey of 2021 BASW graduates found 97 percent landed the job of their choice. The school counts more than 10,000 alumni working in the field and runs its own social work and public health career fair each spring. In-state tuition runs $16,916 a year against $44,300 for nonresidents, above the national median of $11,804.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $16,916 · Out-of-state $44,300 / year
2025-26 tuition, full-time lower-division · msu.edu
Locations
East Lansing, MI (1974-present)
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 10.0
- #2
Arizona State University
Phoenix, AZ · CSWE-Accredited since 1965 · Online or On-Campus
9.2
Online or On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full & part-time 3 campuses + online 1 certificate Accred. since 1965Why it ranks nationally
Arizona State University awards the BSW from Phoenix, AZ. The degree is taught in Downtown Phoenix, Tucson, the West Valley and Yuma, or online from anywhere. The online option is fully synchronous, meaning regularly scheduled classes meet in real time on Zoom rather than running as self-paced modules. Bachelor's students complete a single practicum placement spanning two consecutive semesters, taken concurrently with coursework. The search is student led with help from the practicum team, and each intern is supervised on site by a working social worker who has completed the school's supervisor training. CSWE accreditation dates to 1965, 61 years of unbroken standing, above the national median of 44 years.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $14,814 · Out-of-state $39,262 / year
2026-27 tuition & fees · asu.edu
Locations
Phoenix, AZ (1965-present, previously located in Tempe 1965-2009); Tucson, AZ (1965-present); Glendale, AZ (1965-present); Online (2024-present)
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 9.0
- Prestige (15%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 5.0
- #3
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · Online or On-Campus
9.2
Online or On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full & part-time 2 campuses + online 2 certificates Accred. since 1974Why it ranks nationally
Kansas State University is a public university in Manhattan, KS awarding the BSW. The bachelor's runs in person on both the Manhattan and Salina campuses and also as an entirely online degree. It is housed in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work, based in Waters Hall on the Manhattan campus. Graduates qualify for licensure as bachelor's-level social workers in Kansas through the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board, and students may start the application in their final semester of degree requirements. Program requirements are aligned only to Kansas rules, so anyone planning to practice in another state has to check that board's requirements. CSWE accreditation dates to 1974, 52 years of unbroken standing, above the national median of 44 years.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $12,694 · Out-of-state $30,388 / year
2025-26 tuition & fees · k-state.edu
Locations
Manhattan, KS (1974-present); Salina, KS (1974-present); Online (2025-present)
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 8.0
- Prestige (15%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 7.0
- #4
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · Online or On-Campus
9.2
Online or On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full & part-time 5 campuses + online Accred. since 1974Why it ranks nationally
The Ohio State University awards the BSSW from Columbus, OH. The 120 hour degree splits into 22 prerequisite hours, 46 major hours and 13 hours of social work electives. Juniors take professional values and ethics, engagement and interviewing, psychopathology and two research and statistics courses, one on understanding problems and one on evaluating interventions, before the senior practice sequence on families, groups, then organizations and communities. An online BSSW delivers coursework virtually with pre-scheduled synchronous discussions, then matches students with an agency near their own community for the same 400 hour placement in the final year. Transfer students make up the largest share of enrolled social work majors, and the major can be declared for either an autumn or a spring start. In-state tuition runs $14,050 a year against $44,271 for nonresidents, above the national median of $11,804.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $14,050 · Out-of-state $44,271 / year
2026-27 tuition & fees · osu.edu
Locations
Columbus, OH (1974-present); Lima, OH (1974-present); Mansfield, OH (1974-present); Marion, OH (1974-present); Newark, OH (1974-present); Online (2024-present)
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 10.0
- Prestige (15%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #5
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · Online or On-Campus
9.2
Online or On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full & part-time 1 campus + online 3 certificates Accred. since 1974Why it ranks nationally
University of Central Florida awards the BSW from Orlando, FL. Coursework covers human behavior and the social environment, social welfare policy and services, research and practice, with electives in child welfare, addictions, aging studies, health services, immigration and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations. The community agency internship is arranged by the school rather than found by the student. The school sits inside the College of Health Professions and Sciences and points the degree at health settings alongside general social services. Undergraduates can add a minor in aging studies or certificates in aging studies, children's services or Spanish for social workers. CSWE approved the online option in 2026, the most recent online approval among the 148 online programs on this list.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $6,368 · Out-of-state $24,076 / year
2025-26 tuition & fees · ucf.edu
Locations
Orlando, FL (1974-present); Online (2026-present)
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 9.0
- #6
University of Memphis
Memphis, TN · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · Online or On-Campus
9.0
Online or On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full & part-time 1 campus + online 2 certificates Accred. since 1974Why it ranks nationally
University of Memphis is a public university in Memphis, TN awarding the BSW. Students in the school social work concentration must complete the entire field practice sequence in a school-based setting. Child welfare students take SWRK 4830 and 4831 on site at the Tennessee Department of Children's Services, so the placement doubles as state agency training. The child welfare track produces Child Welfare Certification from the Tennessee Department of Children's Services alongside LBSW eligibility. Qualifying adds a 2.6 overall GPA, fingerprinting and a background check, a valid driver's license, and a B- or better in SWRK 4934 and 4935. CSWE accreditation dates to 1974, 52 years of unbroken standing, above the national median of 44 years.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $11,256 · Out-of-state $15,960 / year
2025-26 tuition & fees · memphis.edu
Locations
Memphis, TN (1974-present); Online (2020-present); Lambuth/Jackson, TN (1974-2025)
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 7.0
- #7
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · Online or On-Campus
9.0
Online or On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full & part-time 1 campus + online 2 certificates Accred. since 1974Why it ranks nationally
University of North Dakota is a public university in Grand Forks, ND awarding the BSSW. The department is a designated Addiction Counselor Training Program under the North Dakota Board of Addiction Counseling Examiners. Majors who add the Substance Use and Addictions minor and finish a 960-hour, 25-week clinical practicum meet the education requirements for addiction counseling licensure in North Dakota and Minnesota, generally over five years of study. Preparation leans toward rural and tribal practice, and alumni work across North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota in child welfare, behavioral health, schools, healthcare, policy, county and tribal social service agencies and veterans services. The department also houses the state's primary child welfare training agency, established in 1984. In-state tuition runs $9,240 a year against $13,848 for nonresidents, below the national median of $11,804.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $9,240 · Out-of-state $13,848 / year
2024-25 tuition, full-time cap · und.edu
Locations
Grand Forks, ND (1974-present); Online (2018-present)
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 7.0
- #8
Indiana University
Bloomington, IN · CSWE-Accredited since 1975 · On-Campus
9.0
On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full & part-time 5 campuses 2 certificates Accred. since 1975Why it ranks nationally
Indiana University is a public university in Bloomington, IN awarding the BSW. Practicum placements draw on a network of more than 2,700 community partners across the state. Each student works with a practicum instructor at the agency, a task instructor and a faculty liaison, and placements, timesheets, learning plans and supervision records are handled in Sonia. Study abroad is part of the curriculum, with school programs running to South Korea, Ghana and Croatia. The school also reports that 95 percent of Indiana's social workers are its alumni. CSWE accreditation dates to 1975, 51 years of unbroken standing, above the national median of 44 years.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $12,142 · Out-of-state $42,702 / year
2026-27 tuition & fees, Bloomington · iu.edu
Locations
Bloomington, IN (1975-present); Fort Wayne, IN (1975-present); Gary, IN (1975-present); Indianapolis, IN (1975-present); South Bend, IN (1975-present); Richmond, IN (1975-2026)
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 7.0
- #9
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI · CSWE-Accredited since 1975 · Online or On-Campus
9.0
Online or On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full & part-time 1 campus + online 2 certificates Accred. since 1975Why it ranks nationally
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee awards the BSSW from Milwaukee, WI. The major takes 61 of the 120 credits, with the practice sequence split three ways across individuals and families, groups, then communities and organizations, alongside case management, advocacy and empowerment, values and ethics, welfare policy, research methods and cultural diversity. The nine elective credits may be filled with criminal justice courses. Signed articulation agreements route students in from Milwaukee Area Technical College, Moraine Park and Waukesha County Technical College, covering human services and substance use disorder counseling associate degrees. Up to 72 credits transfer from a Universities of Wisconsin or Wisconsin Technical College System campus. CSWE accreditation dates to 1975, 51 years of unbroken standing, above the national median of 44 years.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $11,768 · Out-of-state $24,368 / year
2025-26 tuition & fees · uwm.edu
Locations
Milwaukee, WI (1975-present); Online (2025-present)
Visit the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee BSW program site
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 7.0
- #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 nationally
Our Lady of the Lake University awards the BSW from San Antonio, TX. The placement requires a minimum of 450 agency-based clock hours under the supervision of a licensed master's level social worker. Students cannot enroll until they have completed 27 hours of social work courses with a 2.5 major GPA, and the placement is graded pass or fail rather than by letter. Students declare the major through the registrar and may take up to 18 semester hours of social work before formal admission, which is processed once six hours are done. It requires a 2.0 overall GPA, a 2.5 social work GPA, a personal statement, one faculty letter and a signed Worden Student Code of Conduct. Published tuition is $32,356 a year at one rate for residents and nonresidents, above the national median of $11,804.
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)
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 8.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 10.0
- #11
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · Online or On-Campus
8.8
Online or On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full & part-time 1 campus + online 1 certificate Accred. since 1974Why it ranks nationally
University of Cincinnati awards the BSW from Cincinnati, OH. General education and introductory courses fill the first two years, with service learning in the community, and the required social work courses do not begin until the junior year. A two-term research sequence, which the school calls unique to UC, has students learn research methods and then design and run a project inside their own field agency. A partnership with UC's College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services lets online students take electives that satisfy the education requirement for Ohio's Chemical Dependency Counseling Assistant Phase 1 exam. Graduating requires a 2.75 average both overall and across social work courses. In-state tuition runs $14,394 a year against $29,728 for nonresidents, above the national median of $11,804.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $14,394 · Out-of-state $29,728 / year
2025-26 tuition, Uptown · uc.edu
Locations
Cincinnati, OH (1974-present); Online (2018-present)
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 5.0
- #12
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · Online or On-Campus
8.8
Online or On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full & part-time 1 campus + online 1 certificate Accred. since 1974Why it ranks nationally
University of Kentucky awards the BASW from Lexington, Kentucky. The core social work sequence runs 44 credits: Practice I, II and III, two semesters of Human Behavior and the Social Environment, social welfare policy, professional ethics, research, Social Justice in Mental Health Practice and a senior seminar. Pre-major work spans sociology, psychology, political science, economics, logic, biology and statistics. The degree also runs fully online, taking up to 67 transfer credits from a two-year college so it can be finished in two years, with advising overseen by a licensed social worker. Undergraduate certificates in Social Change and in Diversity and Inclusivity Awareness sit alongside a substance use counseling training program. In-state tuition runs $13,907 a year against $35,164 for nonresidents, above the national median of $11,804.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $13,907 · Out-of-state $35,164 / year
2025-26 tuition & fees · uky.edu
Locations
Lexington, Kentucky (1974-present); Online (2020-present); Hazard, KY (2014-2022)
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 5.0
- #13
University of Oklahoma
Norman, OK · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · Online or On-Campus
8.8
Online or On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full & part-time 2 campuses + online Accred. since 1974Why it ranks nationally
University of Oklahoma awards the BASW from Norman, OK. The degree runs on two campuses with different shapes. Norman takes two years full time or three part time, while the Tulsa version is a two to three year degree completion program, and spring and summer entry points are listed for Tulsa only. Norman undergraduates compete for scholarships worth $300 to $3,000 a year, awarded on criteria that include Oklahoma residency, financial need, personal faith and a stated desire to work with people with disabilities. At Tulsa the Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation funds awards keyed mainly to GPA and need. CSWE approved the online option in 2026, the most recent online approval among the 148 online programs on this list.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $10,181 · Out-of-state $28,301 / year
2025-26 tuition & fees · ou.edu
Locations
Norman, OK (1974-present); Tulsa, OK (1974-present); Online (2026-present)
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 8.0
- Prestige (15%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #14
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · Online or On-Campus
8.7
Online or On-Campus Carnegie R2 Full & part-time 1 campus + online 1 certificate Accred. since 1974Why it ranks nationally
East Tennessee State University is a public university in Johnson City, TN awarding the BSW. Full-time study runs either on the Johnson City campus or entirely online, with the internship falling in the fall and spring of senior year. Graduates can seek Tennessee licensure as a Licensed Bachelor of Social Work. The department works as a regional program in the southern Appalachians, partnering with service providers across northeast Tennessee, western North Carolina and southwest Virginia, and has held accreditation since 1974. Beyond the main campus it also delivers the BSW as a cohort in Sevierville. CSWE accreditation dates to 1974, 52 years of unbroken standing, above the national median of 44 years.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $10,994 · Out-of-state $15,194 / year
2025-26 tuition & fees · etsu.edu
Locations
Johnson City, TN (1974-present); Online (2023-present); Abingdon, VA (1974-2020); Sevierville, TN (1974-2025)
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 7.5
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 8.0
- #15
Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · Online or On-Campus
8.7
Online or On-Campus Full & part-time 5 campuses + online 1 certificate Accred. since 1974Why it ranks nationally
Salisbury University is a public university in Salisbury, MD awarding the BASW. The program dates to 1974 and has run a sociology and social work dual-degree partnership with the University of Maryland Eastern Shore since 1990. The same school also houses minors in Deaf Studies and Disability Studies, an unusual pairing for undergraduates who want a specialization alongside the major. The school sets a public benchmark of 80 percent of students demonstrating mastery on each competency and posts the BASW assessment report separately from the MSW one. Licensing exam study guides for every level can be checked out from the School of Social Work suite, or through a site coordinator at the regional locations. CSWE accreditation dates to 1974, 52 years of unbroken standing, above the national median of 44 years.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $11,466 · Out-of-state $23,590 / year
2026-27 tuition & fees · salisbury.edu
Locations
Salisbury, MD (1974-present); Wye Mills, MD (2007-present); Hagerstown, MD (2007-present); North East, MD (2007-present); California, MD (2013-present); Online/UMGC (2014-present)
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 10.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 5.0
- #16
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 nationally
University of Missouri-St. Louis is a public university in St. Louis, MO awarding the BSW. Practicum totals 480 hours across two semesters, worth four credits each for the agency work plus two for the companion seminar. The first seminar stays on direct practice, the second turns to agency structure, management, advocacy, policy and program evaluation, and students need 90 credit hours and a 2.5 social work GPA before they can start. For 2024-2025 the program published competency results separately for its in-person and virtual cohorts, measured against an 80 percent benchmark. Both cohorts cleared all nine competencies, with every reported figure falling between 89 and 100 percent. In-state tuition runs $15,870 a year against $39,510 for nonresidents, above the national median of $11,804.
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);
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 9.5
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 7.5
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 9.0
- #17
University of Hawai‘i at Manoa
Honolulu, HI · CSWE-Accredited since 1942 · Online or On-Campus
8.6
Online or On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full & part-time 1 campus + online Accred. since 1942Why it ranks nationally
University of Hawai‘i at Manoa awards the BSW from Honolulu, HI. The two-year upper-division major has a distance education option, the only one in the state, open to students across the Hawaiian islands and out to American Samoa, the CNMI, the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau and the Marshall Islands. Courses run asynchronously in condensed five-week blocks taken one after another rather than side by side. Graduates who file with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and pass the ASWB bachelors examination can be licensed as a Licensed Bachelor Social Worker in Hawai‘i. The department states plainly that it cannot confirm whether the degree meets licensing requirements in other states. CSWE accreditation dates to 1942, 84 years of unbroken standing, above the national median of 44 years. No other program among the accredited BSW programs nationally has held CSWE accreditation longer.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $11,760 · Out-of-state $33,792 / year
2026-27 tuition · hawaii.edu
Locations
Honolulu, HI (1942-present); Online (2018-present)
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #18
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · On-Campus
8.6
On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full & part-time 2 campuses 2 certificates Accred. since 1974Why it ranks nationally
Florida State University is a public university in Tallahassee, FL awarding the BSW. This is a limited-access major. Applicants need a 3.0 cumulative GPA counting every graded attempt, 60 completed hours, and all five prerequisites in American government, economics, biology, sociology and psychology at a C or better within two tries, plus a resume and personal statement. Deadlines are June 1 for fall and November 1 for spring. The degree runs both in Tallahassee and at the Panama City campus. The college also organizes electives into interest areas such as military social work, criminal justice, health and wellness and international social work, the last supporting internships abroad and study abroad weighted toward London. In-state tuition runs $5,654 a year against $20,113 for nonresidents, below the national median of $11,804.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $5,654 · Out-of-state $20,113 / year
2025-26 tuition & fees · fsu.edu
Locations
Tallahassee, FL (1974-present); Panama City, FL (1974-present)
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 5.0
- Prestige (15%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 7.0
- #19
University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · Online or On-Campus
8.6
Online or On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full & part-time 1 campus + online Accred. since 1974Why it ranks nationally
University of Alabama is a public university in Tuscaloosa, AL awarding the BSW. The 120 hour degree opens with a 34 hour pre-professional block covering biology with lab, statistics, a professional writing seminar and a course in anti-oppression and social justice, then moves into a 40 hour professional sequence. That sequence runs policy, two semesters of human behavior, psychopathology, research, and separate practice courses for individuals and families, groups and communities. The practicum is 450 hours for nine credits, normally packed into the final semester, though a variable option spreads the same hours across two. Students get weekly supervision from an MSW practicum instructor with two years of experience, log hours daily in the Intern Placement Tool, and should expect to travel up to 60 miles for a placement. CSWE accreditation dates to 1974, 52 years of unbroken standing, above the national median of 44 years.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $12,718 · Out-of-state $36,724 / year
2026-27 tuition & fees · ua.edu
Locations
Tuscaloosa, AL (1974-present); Online (2018-present)
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #20
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · Online or On-Campus
8.6
Online or On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full & part-time 1 campus + online Accred. since 1974Why it ranks nationally
Wayne State University awards the BSW from Detroit, MI. The degree needs at least 120 credits, the first 60 covering general education and five pre-professional courses in social work, American government, sociology, human biology and psychology. The junior and senior years carry 51 credits of social work coursework across human behavior, research methods, practice and social welfare policy, plus the practicum. Two interprofessional minors run alongside the major, Law and Social Work, and Social Work and Social Justice. Through AGRADE, Senior Rule and the Accelerated Master's Pathway, qualifying seniors can take up to 15 graduate-level credits at the undergraduate tuition rate, which the school puts at nearly a third less for Michigan residents. In-state tuition runs $13,643 a year against $31,248 for nonresidents, above the national median of $11,804.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $13,643 · Out-of-state $31,248 / year
2025-26 tuition · wayne.edu
Locations
Detroit, MI (1974-present); Online (2018-present)
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
Top 50 National Rankings Table
The 50 highest-scoring CSWE-accredited BSW programs. All programs listed hold current full accreditation.
| # | Institution | State | Format | Since | Tuition (in / out) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan State University | MI | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $16,916 / $44,300 | 9.3 |
| 2 | Arizona State University | AZ | Online or On-Campus | 1965 | $14,814 / $39,262 | 9.2 |
| 3 | Kansas State University | KS | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $12,694 / $30,388 | 9.2 |
| 4 | The Ohio State University | OH | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $14,050 / $44,271 | 9.2 |
| 5 | University of Central Florida | FL | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $6,368 / $24,076 | 9.2 |
| 6 | University of Memphis | TN | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $11,256 / $15,960 | 9.0 |
| 7 | University of North Dakota | ND | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $9,240 / $13,848 | 9.0 |
| 8 | Indiana University | IN | On-Campus | 1975 | $12,142 / $42,702 | 9.0 |
| 9 | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | WI | Online or On-Campus | 1975 | $11,768 / $24,368 | 9.0 |
| 10 | Our Lady of the Lake University | TX | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $32,356 | 8.8 |
| 11 | University of Cincinnati | OH | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $14,394 / $29,728 | 8.8 |
| 12 | University of Kentucky | KY | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $13,907 / $35,164 | 8.8 |
| 13 | University of Oklahoma | OK | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $10,181 / $28,301 | 8.8 |
| 14 | East Tennessee State University | TN | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $10,994 / $15,194 | 8.7 |
| 15 | Salisbury University | MD | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $11,466 / $23,590 | 8.7 |
| 16 | University of Missouri-St. Louis | MO | Online or On-Campus | 1979 | $15,870 / $39,510 | 8.7 |
| 17 | University of Hawai‘i at Manoa | HI | Online or On-Campus | 1942 | $11,760 / $33,792 | 8.6 |
| 18 | Florida State University | FL | On-Campus | 1974 | $5,654 / $20,113 | 8.6 |
| 19 | University of Alabama | AL | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $12,718 / $36,724 | 8.6 |
| 20 | Wayne State University | MI | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $13,643 / $31,248 | 8.6 |
| 21 | West Virginia University | WV | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $10,752 / $30,432 | 8.6 |
| 22 | Syracuse University | NY | Online or On-Campus | 1975 | $69,180 | 8.6 |
| 23 | Virginia Commonwealth University | VA | Online or On-Campus | 1975 | $17,240 / $40,404 | 8.6 |
| 24 | Eastern Kentucky University | KY | Online or On-Campus | 1977 | $10,440 / $12,000 | 8.5 |
| 25 | New Mexico Highlands University | NM | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $7,280 / $12,200 | 8.5 |
| 26 | Delaware State University | DE | Online or On-Campus | 1982 | $11,214 / $21,204 | 8.5 |
| 27 | University of Akron | OH | Online or On-Campus | 1979 | $10,399 / $14,839 | 8.4 |
| 28 | University of Washington | WA | On-Campus | 1975 | $13,406 / $44,460 | 8.4 |
| 29 | Cleveland State University | OH | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $12,503 / $17,863 | 8.4 |
| 30 | University of Texas at Arlington | TX | Online or On-Campus | 1982 | $12,208 / $27,494 | 8.4 |
| 31 | University of Maine | ME | Online or On-Campus | 1979 | $13,760 / $37,910 | 8.4 |
| 32 | Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania | PA | Online or On-Campus | 1977 | $11,858 / $24,224 | 8.4 |
| 33 | University of Iowa | IA | On-Campus | 1974 | $11,971 / $34,247 | 8.3 |
| 34 | Colorado State University | CO | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $13,774 / $36,113 | 8.3 |
| 35 | The University of Mississippi | MS | On-Campus | 1974 | $9,990 / $20,160 | 8.3 |
| 36 | University of South Florida | FL | Online or On-Campus | 1976 | $6,410 / $18,416 | 8.3 |
| 37 | Minot State University | ND | Online or On-Campus | 1978 | $9,191 / $9,191 | 8.3 |
| 38 | Texas State University | TX | Online or On-Campus | 1978 | $8,606 / $20,366 | 8.3 |
| 39 | University of Tennessee at Martin | TN | On-Campus | 1974 | $10,824 / $16,878 | 8.3 |
| 40 | University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | WI | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $9,047 / $19,147 | 8.3 |
| 41 | Pennsylvania Western University | PA | Online or On-Campus | 1976 | $11,075 / $17,006 | 8.3 |
| 42 | Georgia State University | GA | Online or On-Campus | 1981 | $9,300 / $31,320 | 8.3 |
| 43 | Ball State University | IN | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $8,688 / $26,696 | 8.2 |
| 44 | University of Nebraska at Omaha | NE | Online or On-Campus | 1975 | $6,536 / $20,524 | 8.2 |
| 45 | Minnesota State University, Moorhead | MN | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $5,487 / $5,487 | 8.2 |
| 46 | Saint Louis University | MO | On-Campus | 1974 | $52,260 | 8.1 |
| 47 | Northern Kentucky University | KY | Online or On-Campus | 1978 | $11,496 / $15,384 | 8.1 |
| 48 | Western Kentucky University | KY | Online or On-Campus | 1978 | $12,072 / $27,000 | 8.1 |
| 49 | Florida International University | FL | On-Campus | 1974 | $4,721 / $16,529 | 8.1 |
| 50 | San Diego State University | CA | On-Campus | 1974 | $5,742 / $17,622 | 8.1 |
Accreditation data: CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs (cswe.org).
How We Ranked the BSW Programs
Every program is scored on the same five-factor model, applied identically regardless of institution size or geography. Nothing in the score is opinion: four factors map to verifiable fields in the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs, and prestige maps to the institution's official 2025 Carnegie research classification. We deliberately do not use tuition or field-hour counts, because those are not published uniformly for bachelor's programs, and inventing them would undermine the accuracy this ranking is built on.
| Factor | Weight | What we measure | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accreditation longevity | 40% | Years of current, unbroken CSWE accreditation. Long continuous standing signals a program that has met EPAS standards across many review cycles. Lapsed periods and CSWE's pre-1974 "Approved" status do not count; a program re-accredited after a gap is scored from the year its current run began. | CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs |
| Delivery flexibility | 22% | Whether the program offers an online option and how many approved campus locations it operates. | CSWE Directory (online option + approved locations) |
| Prestige (Carnegie research tier) | 15% | The institution's 2025 Carnegie research classification: R1 (very high research) and R2 (high research) earn the highest marks; other institutions share a common baseline. | Carnegie Classifications (ACE) |
| Schedule flexibility | 12% | Availability of both full-time and part-time plans of study. | CSWE Directory (program plan) |
| Program breadth | 11% | Number of embedded certificates and dual-degree options recorded for the program. | CSWE Directory (certificates + dual degrees) |
Each factor is scored on a 0-10 scale, multiplied by its weight, and summed into a composite out of 10.0. Programs are re-scored whenever the CSWE directory snapshot is refreshed; any program that moves to Candidacy, Pre-Candidacy, or Withdrawal status is removed from the ranked list. Accreditation longevity uses the earliest CSWE accreditation year on record as of 2026.
What this ranking does not measure: tuition, selectivity, alumni outcomes, or commercial aggregator rankings. We do not accept sponsored placements that affect rank order.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does CSWE accreditation mean for a BSW program?
How many field-education hours does a CSWE-accredited BSW require?
What can you do with a BSW?
How many CSWE-accredited BSW programs are there?
Is an online BSW as respected as an on-campus degree?
How are these BSW programs ranked?
Sources
All program data in this ranking is drawn from primary, authoritative sources only.
- CSWE, Council on Social Work Education. Directory of Accredited Programs. cswe.org/accreditation/about/directory/
- CSWE. 2022 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS), field-education requirements. cswe.org/accreditation/policies-process/2022epas/
- CHEA, Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Recognition of the CSWE Board of Accreditation. chea.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Social Workers. bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm