La Sierra University

With 8 social work graduates in the latest year, La Sierra University runs a small BSW cohort — #457 among 587 programs nationally by size. Worth asking the department how often required practice courses run, since smaller programs sometimes offer them only once a year.

45.3% 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.

The average student pays $23,848 a year after grants and scholarships — $8,325 above the $15,523 median across the 25 BSW colleges in California. 54.0% 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.