Saint Cloud State University

With 55 social work graduates in the latest year, Saint Cloud State University runs one of the country's higher-volume BSW programs, ranking #100 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.

43.0% 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 (48.0%) than full-time students (37.2%) — often a sign of a program built around people already working in the field.

The average student pays $14,735 a year after grants and scholarships — $6,183 below the $20,918 median across the 17 BSW colleges in Minnesota. 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.