Grand Valley State University

With 89 social work graduates in the latest year, Grand Valley State University runs one of the country's higher-volume BSW programs, ranking #30 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.

54.1% 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. First-time entrants complete at 67.3% against 54.2% for transfers — worth checking how transfer credits map onto the practice sequence.

The average student pays $17,198 a year after grants and scholarships — about the same as the $17,548 median across the 22 BSW colleges in Michigan. 37.0% 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.