Faith-Based Rankings
Best Faith-Based BSW Programs, Top 20 (2026)
Last updated
Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS in Psychology, MSW Student (Exp. Graduation 2028)
The 20 highest-scoring CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work programs at religiously affiliated institutions. We identify faith affiliation from IPEDS, the federal education dataset, rather than from a school's name, then rank the eligible programs on the same five-factor model used in our national ranking.
The top 20 faith-based BSW programs
- #1 Roman Catholic National #13
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 Roman Catholic
Saint Louis University
St. Louis, MO · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · On-Campus
8.1
On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full-time 1 campus 1 certificate Accred. since 1974Why it ranks here
Saint Louis University has held CSWE accreditation since 1974, 52 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (St. Louis, MO). The program runs on a full-time plan of study. It records 1 embedded certificate (Gerontology) and 3 dual-degree options. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R1 classification for very high research activity.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
St. Louis, MO (1974-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 9.5
- #3 Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
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)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
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
- #4 Roman Catholic
College of Saint Scholastica
Duluth, MN · CSWE-Accredited since 1976 · Online or On-Campus
8.0
Online or On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus + online 1 certificate Accred. since 1976Why it ranks here
College of Saint Scholastica has held CSWE accreditation since 1976, 50 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Arts Social Work is offered both online and on campus (Duluth, MN). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 1 embedded certificate (Medical Social Work).
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Duluth, MN (1976-present); Online (2020-present); Fond du Lac/Cloquet, MN (1976-2022); Inver Hills, MN (1976-2022); Austin, MN (1976-2022); Brainerd, MN (1976-2021)
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
- #5 Churches of Christ
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)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
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 Roman Catholic
St. Catherine University
St. Paul, MN · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · Online or On-Campus
8.0
Online or On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus + online Accred. since 1974Why it ranks here
St. Catherine 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 (St. Paul, MN). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 1 dual-degree option.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
St. Paul, MN (1974-present); Online (2024-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 4.5
- #7 Roman Catholic
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ · CSWE-Accredited since 1976 · On-Campus
8.0
On-Campus Carnegie R2 Full & part-time 1 campus 2 certificates Accred. since 1976Why it ranks here
Seton Hall University has held CSWE accreditation since 1976, 50 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (South Orange, NJ). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 2 embedded certificates (Gerontology, Other). Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
South Orange, NJ (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%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 7.0
- #8 Roman Catholic
Anna Maria College
Paxton, MA · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · Online or On-Campus
7.8
Online or On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus + online Accred. since 1974Why it ranks here
Anna Maria College has held CSWE accreditation since 1974, 52 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work is offered both online and on campus (Paxton, MA). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Paxton, MA (1974-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%) 3.0
- #9 Roman Catholic
Misericordia University
Dallas, PA · CSWE-Accredited since 1975 · On-Campus
7.8
On-Campus Full & part-time 2 campuses 2 certificates Accred. since 1975Why it ranks here
Misericordia University has held CSWE accreditation since 1975, 51 years of standing as of 2026. The program is offered on 2 approved campuses (Dallas, PA; Nanticoke,PA). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 2 embedded certificates (Addictions, Gerontology).
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Dallas, PA (1975-present); Nanticoke,PA (1975-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 5.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 7.0
- #10 Roman Catholic
Mount Mercy University
Cedar Rapids, IA · CSWE-Accredited since 1977 · On-Campus
7.8
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 1977Why it ranks here
Mount Mercy University has held CSWE accreditation since 1977, 49 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Cedar Rapids, IA). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 4 dual-degree options.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Cedar Rapids, IA (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%) 9.0
- #11 Church of the Nazarene
Northwest Nazarene University
Nampa, ID · CSWE-Accredited since 1977 · Online or On-Campus
7.8
Online or On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus + online Accred. since 1977Why it ranks here
Northwest Nazarene University has held CSWE accreditation since 1977, 49 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Arts is offered both online and on campus (Nampa, ID). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Nampa, ID (1977-present); Online (2026-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 9.8
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #12 Roman Catholic
Fordham University
New York, NY · CSWE-Accredited since 1975 · On-Campus
7.8
On-Campus Carnegie R2 Full & part-time 2 campuses Accred. since 1975Why it ranks here
Fordham University has held CSWE accreditation since 1975, 51 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)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
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%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 5.0
- Prestige (15%) 7.5
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #13 Free Methodist
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)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
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
- #14 Roman Catholic
Briar Cliff University
Sioux City, IA · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · Online or On-Campus
7.6
Online or On-Campus Full-time 1 campus + online 1 certificate Accred. since 1974Why it ranks here
Briar Cliff University has held CSWE accreditation since 1974, 52 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor in Social Work is offered both online and on campus (Sioux City, IA). The program runs on a full-time plan of study. It records 1 embedded certificate (Gerontology).
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Sioux City, IA (1974-present); Online (2018-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 5.0
- #15 Baptist
Bethel University
St. Paul, MN · CSWE-Accredited since 1981 · Online or On-Campus
7.5
Online or On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus + online Accred. since 1981Why it ranks here
Bethel University has held CSWE accreditation since 1981, 45 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work is offered both online and on campus (St. Paul, MN). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
St. Paul, MN (1981-Present); Online (2021-Present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 9.2
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #16 American Baptist
University of Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls, SD · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · On-Campus
7.5
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 1974Why it ranks here
University of Sioux Falls has held CSWE accreditation since 1974, 52 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Sioux Falls, SD). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 2 dual-degree options.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Sioux Falls, SD (1974-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 6.0
- #17 Evangelical Lutheran Church
Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA · CSWE-Accredited since 1975 · On-Campus
7.5
On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus Accred. since 1975Why it ranks here
Pacific Lutheran University has held CSWE accreditation since 1975, 51 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Tacoma, WA). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 2 dual-degree options.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Tacoma, WA (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%) 6.0
- #18 Friends (Quaker)
Malone University
Canton, OH · CSWE-Accredited since 1982 · Online or On-Campus
7.4
Online or On-Campus Full & part-time 1 campus + online Accred. since 1982Why it ranks here
Malone University has held CSWE accreditation since 1982, 44 years of standing as of 2026. The BSW is offered both online and on campus (Canton, OH). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Canton, OH (1982-present); Online (2018-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 9.0
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
- #19 Roman Catholic
Alvernia University
Reading, PA · CSWE-Accredited since 1997 · Online or On-Campus
7.4
Online or On-Campus Full & part-time 2 campuses + online 1 certificate Accred. since 1997Why it ranks here
Alvernia University has held CSWE accreditation since 1997, 29 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Social Work is offered both online and on campus (Reading, PA; Elkins Park, PA). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 1 embedded certificate (Gerontology) and 3 dual-degree options.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Reading, PA (1998-present); Elkins Park, PA (2012-present); Online (2024-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 6.6
- Delivery (22%) 8.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 9.5
- #20 Roman Catholic
Avila University
Kansas City, MO · CSWE-Accredited since 1974 · Online or On-Campus
7.3
Online or On-Campus Full-time 1 campus + online Accred. since 1974Why it ranks here
Avila University has held CSWE accreditation since 1974, 52 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Social Work is offered both online and on campus (Kansas City, MO). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Annual tuition (not factored)
Not available. See the program website for current tuition.
Locations
Kansas City, MO (1974-present); Online (2023-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 5.0
- Schedule (12%) 6.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
What jobs can I get with a faith-based BSW degree?
A faith-based BSW is the same CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work as every other program on this site, so it opens the same careers. In the 41 states that license at the bachelor level, it qualifies you for an entry-level license (usually the LBSW) and the same front-line, direct-service roles as any BSW graduate, with the added option of working in faith-aligned organizations. The most common BSW-level careers are:
- Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW)
- School Social Worker
- Medical or Hospital Social Worker
- Child, Family, and Child-Welfare Caseworker
- Case Manager and Care Coordinator
- Community and Social-Service Worker
- Behavioral-Health and Substance-Use Support Specialist
- Aging, Disability, and Veterans' Services Worker
- Social and Human-Service Assistant
Because it is fully accredited, a faith-based BSW also qualifies graduates for Advanced Standing admission to an MSW. See pay and outlook in our salary guides and the full career profiles.
Where do people with faith-based BSW degrees work?
Graduates work across the full range of social-service settings, the same as any BSW: public human-services and child-welfare agencies, hospitals and clinics, schools, community nonprofits, and aging and disability services. What a faith-based program often adds is a strong connection to faith-aligned organizations, where many students also complete their field placements:
- Denominational and church-based social-service agencies (for example, Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services, and Jewish Family Services)
- Faith-based nonprofits and community ministries
- Religiously affiliated hospitals, schools, and universities
- Refugee resettlement and humanitarian-aid organizations
- Rescue missions, recovery, and homeless-services programs
- Foster care and adoption agencies with a faith mission
Licensure and scope of practice are identical no matter where you work. Check your state's rules on the credentials page.
How we identify faith-based programs
We do not guess affiliation from an institution's name. Each CSWE-accredited BSW institution is matched to its record in the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, and a program is treated as faith-based only when IPEDS records a religious affiliation for that institution. The denomination shown on each card is the one IPEDS reports. Programs at public universities and at private institutions with no reported religious affiliation are not eligible for this list.
Once eligibility is set, programs are scored exactly as in our five-factor methodology: accreditation longevity, delivery flexibility, prestige, schedule flexibility, and program breadth. Affiliation is never part of the score. See the full national ranking for how these programs compare with every accredited program.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a BSW program faith-based?
Does religious affiliation affect the ranking?
How many CSWE-accredited BSW programs are faith-based?
Are all faith-based BSW programs Christian?
Sources
- Religious affiliation: IPEDS Institutional Characteristics 2022 (religious affiliation), via the Urban Institute Education Data API (educationdata.urban.org), mirroring IPEDS Institutional Characteristics.
- CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs for accreditation status and program structure.
- Scoring follows our published five-factor methodology.
Last updated 2026-06-09. Affiliation reflects the latest available IPEDS Institutional Characteristics release.