Carlow University

With 12 social work graduates in the latest year, Carlow University runs a small BSW cohort — #3 among 3 programs nationally by size. Worth asking the department how often required practice courses run, since smaller programs sometimes offer them only once a year.

44.4% of students complete their degree, below the 50.4% median across BSW-awarding colleges — worth asking the department about directly. Students who finish take a median of 5 years to do it. Unusually, part-time students complete at a higher rate here (51.0%) than full-time students (38.0%) — often a sign of a program built around people already working in the field.

The average student pays $21,002 a year after grants and scholarships — $3,719 below the $24,721 median across the 35 BSW colleges in Pennsylvania. 45.0% of first-time students receive Pell Grants, a high share that usually reflects a student body with substantial financial need — and a financial aid office practiced at handling it. Net price is the number that matters when comparing programs, not sticker tuition — and because most social work roles are with government or nonprofit employers, graduates are typically eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.