William Paterson University of New Jersey

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. Full-time students complete at 67.8% against 51.8% for part-time, so the part-time route takes more persistence at William Paterson University of New Jersey. Transfer students actually outperform first-time entrants here (63.5% vs 55.0%), which is a good signal if you are coming from a community college.

The average student pays $13,509 a year after grants and scholarships — $6,948 below the $20,457 median across the 12 BSW colleges in New Jersey. 63.0% 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.