Online BSW Programs, by the Numbers
Of the 538 fully accredited baccalaureate social work programs in the CSWE directory, 149 record an online delivery option. CSWE accreditation extends to all approved delivery methods under the same degree, so an online BSW carries the same accreditation status, the same eligibility for baccalaureate licensure (LSW/LBSW) where offered, and the same Advanced Standing pathway into a CSWE-accredited MSW as a campus-based program.
The one part of a BSW that cannot move fully online is field education. CSWE's 2022 EPAS require a minimum of 400 hours of supervised, in-person practicum. Online programs arrange these placements in the student's own community, which is what makes a remote BSW workable for students who can't relocate.
Sources: CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs; CSWE 2022 EPAS.
Top 15 Online BSW Programs
Filtered to programs with a CSWE-recorded online option, then scored on the same five-factor model used across our rankings. Four factors come from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs; prestige uses the 2025 Carnegie research classification.
- #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 here
Michigan State University has held CSWE accreditation since 1974, 52 years of standing as of 2026. The BASW is offered both online and on campus (East Lansing, MI). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 6 embedded certificates (Child and Family, Child Welfare, Gerontology, and more). Its home institution holds a Carnegie R1 classification for very high research activity.
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)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 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 here
Arizona State University has held CSWE accreditation since 1965, 61 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Social Work is offered both online and on campus (Phoenix, AZ; Tucson, AZ; Glendale, AZ). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 1 embedded certificate (Domestic Violence). Its home institution holds a Carnegie R1 classification for very high research activity.
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)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
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 here
Kansas State University has held CSWE accreditation since 1974, 52 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work & Bachelor of Science in Social Work is offered both online and on campus (Manhattan, KS; Salina, KS). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 2 embedded certificates (Addictions, Child Welfare). Its home institution holds a Carnegie R1 classification for very high research activity.
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)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
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 here
The Ohio State University has held CSWE accreditation since 1974, 52 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Science in Social Work is offered both online and on campus (Columbus, OH; Lima, OH; Mansfield, OH; and more). 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 $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)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
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 here
University of Central Florida 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 (Orlando, FL). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 3 embedded certificates (Child Welfare, Gerontology, Other). Its home institution holds a Carnegie R1 classification for very high research activity.
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)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 9.0
- #6
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT · CSWE-Accredited since 1968 · Online or On-Campus
9.0
Online or On-Campus Carnegie R1 Full & part-time 1 campus + online 2 certificates Accred. since 1968Why it ranks here
University of Utah has held CSWE accreditation since 1968, 58 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Social Work is offered both online and on campus (Salt Lake City, UT). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 2 embedded certificates (Addictions, Other). Its home institution holds a Carnegie R1 classification for very high research activity.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $10,480 · Out-of-state $32,932 / year
2026-27 tuition & fees · utah.edu
Locations
Salt Lake City, UT (2001-Present); Online (2015-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 7.0
- #7
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Urbana, IL · 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 here
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 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 (Urbana, IL). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 2 embedded certificates (Child Welfare, Gerontology). Its home institution holds a Carnegie R1 classification for very high research activity.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $12,992 · Out-of-state $33,344 / year
2025-26 tuition & fees, base rate · illinois.edu
Locations
Urbana, IL (2010-present); Online (2022-present)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 7.0
- #8
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY · 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 here
University of Louisville 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 (Louisville, KY). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 2 embedded certificates (Addictions, Child Welfare). Its home institution holds a Carnegie R1 classification for very high research activity.
Annual tuition (not factored)
In-state $13,614 · Out-of-state $29,960 / year
2026-27 tuition & fees · louisville.edu
Locations
Louisville, KY (2007-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%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 7.0
- #9
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 here
University of Memphis 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 (Memphis, TN). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 2 embedded certificates (Child Welfare, School Social Work). Its home institution holds a Carnegie R1 classification for very high research activity.
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)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 7.0
- #10
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 here
University of North Dakota has held CSWE accreditation since 1974, 52 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelors of Science in Social Work is offered both online and on campus (Grand Forks, ND). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 2 embedded certificates (Addictions, Gerontology). Its home institution holds a Carnegie R1 classification for very high research activity.
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)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 7.0
- #11
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 here
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has held CSWE accreditation since 1975, 51 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Science in Social Work is offered both online and on campus (Milwaukee, WI). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 2 embedded certificates (Child Welfare, Gerontology). Its home institution holds a Carnegie R1 classification for very high research activity.
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)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 7.0
- #12
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
- #13
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 here
University of Cincinnati 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 (Cincinnati, OH). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 1 embedded certificate (Developmental Disabilities). Its home institution holds a Carnegie R1 classification for very high research activity.
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)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 5.0
- #14
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 here
University of Kentucky 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 (Lexington, Kentucky). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 1 embedded certificate (Other). Its home institution holds a Carnegie R1 classification for very high research activity.
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)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (15%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 5.0
- #15
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 here
University of Oklahoma has held CSWE accreditation since 1974, 52 years of standing as of 2026. The BASW is offered both online and on campus (Norman, OK; Tulsa, OK). 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 $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)
Program data sourced from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs
Five-factor score breakdown
- Longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery (22%) 8.0
- Prestige (15%) 10.0
- Schedule (12%) 10.0
- Breadth (11%) 3.0
Top 40 Online BSW Programs Table
The 40 highest-scoring CSWE-accredited BSW programs with an online option. All 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 Utah | UT | Online or On-Campus | 1968 | $10,480 / $32,932 | 9.0 |
| 7 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | IL | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $12,992 / $33,344 | 9.0 |
| 8 | University of Louisville | KY | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $13,614 / $29,960 | 9.0 |
| 9 | University of Memphis | TN | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $11,256 / $15,960 | 9.0 |
| 10 | University of North Dakota | ND | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $9,240 / $13,848 | 9.0 |
| 11 | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | WI | Online or On-Campus | 1975 | $11,768 / $24,368 | 9.0 |
| 12 | Our Lady of the Lake University | TX | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $32,356 | 8.8 |
| 13 | University of Cincinnati | OH | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $14,394 / $29,728 | 8.8 |
| 14 | University of Kentucky | KY | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $13,907 / $35,164 | 8.8 |
| 15 | University of Oklahoma | OK | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $10,181 / $28,301 | 8.8 |
| 16 | East Tennessee State University | TN | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $10,994 / $15,194 | 8.7 |
| 17 | Aurora University | IL | Online or On-Campus | 1969 | $29,600 | 8.7 |
| 18 | Salisbury University | MD | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $11,466 / $23,590 | 8.7 |
| 19 | University of Missouri-St. Louis | MO | Online or On-Campus | 1979 | $15,870 / $39,510 | 8.7 |
| 20 | University of Hawai‘i at Manoa | HI | Online or On-Campus | 1942 | $11,760 / $33,792 | 8.6 |
| 21 | Syracuse University | NY | Online or On-Campus | 1968 | $69,180 | 8.6 |
| 22 | University of Alabama | AL | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $12,718 / $36,724 | 8.6 |
| 23 | Wayne State University | MI | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $13,643 / $31,248 | 8.6 |
| 24 | West Virginia University | WV | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $10,752 / $30,432 | 8.6 |
| 25 | Virginia Commonwealth University | VA | Online or On-Campus | 1975 | $17,240 / $40,404 | 8.6 |
| 26 | Eastern Kentucky University | KY | Online or On-Campus | 1977 | $10,440 / $12,000 | 8.5 |
| 27 | New Mexico Highlands University | NM | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $7,280 / $12,200 | 8.5 |
| 28 | Delaware State University | DE | Online or On-Campus | 1982 | $11,214 / $21,204 | 8.5 |
| 29 | University of Akron | OH | Online or On-Campus | 1979 | n/a | 8.4 |
| 30 | Cleveland State University | OH | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | n/a | 8.4 |
| 31 | University of Texas at Arlington | TX | Online or On-Campus | 1982 | $12,208 / $27,494 | 8.4 |
| 32 | University of Maine | ME | Online or On-Campus | 1979 | $13,760 / $37,910 | 8.4 |
| 33 | Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania | PA | Online or On-Campus | 1977 | $11,858 / $24,224 | 8.4 |
| 34 | Colorado State University | CO | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $13,774 / $36,113 | 8.3 |
| 35 | University of South Florida | FL | Online or On-Campus | 1976 | $6,410 / $18,416 | 8.3 |
| 36 | Minot State University | ND | Online or On-Campus | 1978 | $9,191 / $9,191 | 8.3 |
| 37 | Texas State University | TX | Online or On-Campus | 1978 | n/a | 8.3 |
| 38 | University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | WI | Online or On-Campus | 1974 | $9,047 / $19,147 | 8.3 |
| 39 | Pennsylvania Western University | PA | Online or On-Campus | 1976 | $11,075 / $17,006 | 8.3 |
| 40 | Georgia State University | GA | Online or On-Campus | 1981 | $9,300 / $31,320 | 8.3 |
Accreditation data: CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs (cswe.org).
How We Ranked the Online BSW Programs
This list is the online-eligible subset of our national ranking, scored on the same five-factor model. Four factors map to verifiable fields in the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs, and prestige maps to the institution's 2025 Carnegie research classification. We deliberately do not use tuition or field-hour counts, because those are not published uniformly for bachelor's programs.
| Factor | Weight | What we measure | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accreditation longevity | 40% | Years since the program first earned CSWE accreditation. Long, continuous standing signals a program that has met EPAS standards across many review cycles. | 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 0-10, weighted, and summed into a composite out of 10.0. Accreditation longevity uses the earliest CSWE accreditation year on record as of 2026. Any program that moves to Candidacy, Pre-Candidacy, or Withdrawal status is removed from the list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an online BSW as respected as an on-campus BSW?
Can a BSW field placement be completed online?
How many CSWE-accredited online BSW programs are there?
Does an online BSW qualify for Advanced Standing MSW admission?
How are these online 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). cswe.org/accreditation/policies-process/2022epas/
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Social Workers. bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm