Southeast Missouri State University

One University Plaza, MS2025, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

Public 4-year

The BSW Program at Southeast Missouri State University

Southeast Missouri State University conferred 39 bachelor's degrees in social work in the most recent reporting year, ranking #178 among the 587 colleges nationally that award the degree. That is a mid-sized program — large enough to sustain a dedicated field placement office, small enough that faculty tend to know students by name.

41.3% 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 $16,185 a year after grants and scholarships — $2,036 below the $18,221 median across the 18 BSW colleges in Missouri. 44.0% 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.

Figures from IPEDS, U.S. Department of Education. Completion and net-price comparisons are against the 618 BSW-awarding colleges in this directory.

Key Statistics

9,501
Total Students
7,926
Undergraduates
20:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
N/A
Campus Housing

Can I get in?

Admissions

74%
Acceptance Rate
7,691 admitted out of 10,461 applicants

Admissions Requirements

High School GPA: Required
School Record: Required
Test Scores: Considered

SAT Scores (25th-75th Percentile)

1% of first-time students submitted SAT scores

ACT Scores (25th-75th Percentile)

Composite
15 - 20
English
12 - 19
Math
15 - 18
5% of first-time students submitted ACT scores

Can I afford it?

Tuition & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees (2024-2025)

In-State
$9,495

Living Arrangements

Living cost information not available

Financial Aid

$16,185
Average Net Price
After grants and scholarships

Net Price by Family Income

Family Income Net Price
$0 - $30,000 $12,704
$30,001 - $48,000 $13,342
$48,001 - $75,000 $15,338
$75,001 - $110,000 $17,395
$110,001+ $21,267
44%
Receive Pell Grants
33%
Students Borrowing
$6,377
Avg. Loan Amount

Will I graduate?

Student Outcomes

Completion Rates

41%
Overall
38%
Full-Time
44%
Part-Time
51%
First-Time Students
46%
Transfer Students
27%
Transfer Out

Time to Degree

4-Year Completion 30%
6-Year Completion 40%
8-Year Completion 41%
Median Time to Degree: 5 years

What's the campus like?

Student Demographics

Undergraduate Gender

Male
40.7%
Female
59.3%

Distance Education

Exclusively Distance
20.1%
Some Distance
63.4%
No Distance
16.5%

Graduate Distance Education

Exclusively Distance
19.3%
Some Distance
63%
No Distance
17.7%

Undergraduate Race/Ethnicity

White
67.8%
Black or African American
6.7%
Hispanic/Latino
2.9%
Asian
0.9%
American Indian/Alaska Native
0.3%
Two or More Races
3%
Non-Resident Alien
13.1%
Unknown
5.3%

Degrees & Awards Offered

Bachelor's Degree

Contact Information

Phone
5736512000
Address
One University Plaza, MS2025, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
IPEDS ID
179557

Where a BSW Leads

Graduates of undefined and other CSWE-accredited BSW programs work across six main practice areas, and pay differs between them by more than most prospective students expect. Each guide below carries the full BLS percentile spread, pay by work setting, and pay by state. Figures are May 2025 medians.

Not sure which fits? Start with the career and salary overview or the is social work for me self-assessment.