University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

With 56 social work graduates in the latest year, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee runs one of the country's higher-volume BSW programs, ranking #101 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.

44.9% 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 (49.8%) than full-time students (38.8%) — often a sign of a program built around people already working in the field.

The average student pays $16,263 a year after grants and scholarships — about the same as the $15,707 median across the 16 BSW colleges in Wisconsin. 40.0% 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.