Fort Hays State University

With 41 social work graduates in the latest year, Fort Hays State University runs one of the country's higher-volume BSW programs, ranking #162 among 587 colleges awarding the degree. Program size matters more than it first appears: larger cohorts usually mean more field placement partnerships and a deeper alumni network in local agencies.

47.9% of students complete their degree, close to the 50.4% median across BSW colleges nationally. Students who finish take a median of 5 years to do it. Unusually, part-time students complete at a higher rate here (53.8%) than full-time students (40.0%) — often a sign of a program built around people already working in the field. Transfer students actually outperform first-time entrants here (59.2% vs 50.3%), which is a good signal if you are coming from a community college.

The average student pays $13,186 a year after grants and scholarships — $7,341 below the $20,527 median across the 11 BSW colleges in Kansas. 34.0% of first-time students receive Pell Grants. 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.