Oakwood University

With 10 social work graduates in the latest year, Oakwood University runs a small BSW cohort — #422 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.

49.8% 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 (71.8%) than full-time students (31.5%) — often a sign of a program built around people already working in the field.

The average student pays $26,730 a year after grants and scholarships — $10,656 above the $16,074 median across the 15 BSW colleges in Alabama. 42.0% 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.