Salisbury University

With 99 social work graduates in the latest year, Salisbury University runs one of the country's higher-volume BSW programs, ranking #21 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.

67.3% of students here finish their degree, against a national median of 50.4% across the BSW colleges in this directory — a meaningful margin. Students who finish take a median of 5 years to do it.

The average student pays $18,760 a year after grants and scholarships — about the same as the $18,154 median across the 8 BSW colleges in Maryland. 29.0% 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.