Liberty University

With 202 social work graduates in the latest year, Liberty University runs one of the country's higher-volume BSW programs, ranking #5 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.

39.9% 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 (46.0%) than full-time students (33.2%) — often a sign of a program built around people already working in the field. First-time entrants complete at 56.0% against 41.0% for transfers — worth checking how transfer credits map onto the practice sequence.

The average student pays $29,532 a year after grants and scholarships — $10,063 above the $19,469 median across the 14 BSW colleges in Virginia. 31.0% 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.