The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

With 92 social work graduates in the latest year, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville runs one of the country's higher-volume BSW programs, ranking #26 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.

57.5% 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 (61.6%) than full-time students (51.8%) — often a sign of a program built around people already working in the field. First-time entrants complete at 70.3% against 59.5% for transfers — worth checking how transfer credits map onto the practice sequence.

The average student pays $21,648 a year after grants and scholarships — $3,613 above the $18,035 median across the 19 BSW colleges in Tennessee. 16.0% 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.