Virginia Commonwealth University

With 84 social work graduates in the latest year, Virginia Commonwealth University runs one of the country's higher-volume BSW programs, ranking #38 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.

58.7% 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 (62.8%) than full-time students (53.0%) — often a sign of a program built around people already working in the field.

The average student pays $26,836 a year after grants and scholarships — $7,367 above the $19,469 median across the 14 BSW colleges in Virginia. 35.0% 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.