University of North Dakota

With 70 social work graduates in the latest year, University of North Dakota runs one of the country's higher-volume BSW programs, ranking #63 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.

44.4% 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. First-time entrants complete at 61.0% against 43.3% for transfers — worth checking how transfer credits map onto the practice sequence.

The average student pays $18,076 a year after grants and scholarships — $2,492 above the $15,584 median across the 3 BSW colleges in North Dakota. 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.