Best BSW Colleges 2026

If you're considering a career in social work, Simmons University stands out as our top-ranked BSW program for 2026. This school earned its place through a strong combination of student outcomes and program vitality.

A 85.0% retention rate shows that students at Simmons University are finding the support they need to persist. At $44,208 per year, tuition is above average — make sure to explore scholarship and aid options. The program graduated 44 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

If you're considering a career in social work, Rutgers University-Newark stands out as the #2 BSW program for 2026. This school earned its place through a strong combination of student outcomes and program vitality.

A 84.0% retention rate shows that students at Rutgers University-Newark are finding the support they need to persist. You'll pay $13,674 per year in tuition, which is in the typical range for BSW programs. The program graduated 82 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

If you're considering a career in social work, Skidmore College stands out as the #3 BSW program for 2026. This school earned its place through a strong combination of student outcomes and program vitality.

The school holds onto 90.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. Tuition runs $63,730 per year, which is higher than many comparable programs. Financial aid can help offset the cost. With 20 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

If University of Maryland-Baltimore County is on your shortlist, you're looking in the right place — it comes in at #4 in our 2026 BSW rankings, putting it in the top tier nationally.

With a retention rate of 85.0%, University of Maryland-Baltimore County clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. At $9,238 per year, the tuition is moderate — not the cheapest option, but far from the most expensive. With 84 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Ranked #5 among BSW programs nationwide, Aurora University is one of the strongest options available to aspiring social workers in 2026. The school consistently performs well across the metrics that matter most.

The school holds onto 77.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. In-state tuition of $28,000 per year puts this on the pricier side, so you'll want to factor in financial aid availability. With 192 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Salisbury University earns the #6 spot in our 2026 BSW program rankings, reflecting solid performance in completion rates, retention, and program output.

The school holds onto 78.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. In-state tuition sits at $7,706 per year, keeping costs manageable for most students. Salisbury University produced 99 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

Appalachian State University earns the #7 spot in our 2026 BSW program rankings, reflecting solid performance in completion rates, retention, and program output.

With a retention rate of 84.0%, Appalachian State University clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. In-state tuition of $4,242 makes this one of the cheapest BSW programs available — hard to beat on price alone. With 95 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

If Ramapo College of New Jersey is on your shortlist, you're looking in the right place — it comes in at #8 in our 2026 BSW rankings, putting it in the top tier nationally.

With a retention rate of 84.0%, Ramapo College of New Jersey clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. In-state tuition of $15,978 per year puts this on the pricier side, so you'll want to factor in financial aid availability. With 49 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

University of North Carolina Wilmington earns the #9 spot in our 2026 BSW program rankings, reflecting solid performance in completion rates, retention, and program output.

A 88.0% retention rate shows that students at University of North Carolina Wilmington are finding the support they need to persist. In-state tuition of $4,443 makes this one of the cheapest BSW programs available — hard to beat on price alone. University of North Carolina Wilmington produced 73 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

Ohio State University-Main Campus earns the #10 spot in our 2026 BSW program rankings, reflecting solid performance in completion rates, retention, and program output.

A 94.0% retention rate shows that students at Ohio State University-Main Campus are finding the support they need to persist. In-state tuition sits at $11,826 per year, keeping costs manageable for most students. The program graduated 154 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

Coming in at #11 nationally, The University of Texas at Austin is a strong contender among BSW programs for 2026. Students here benefit from a program that performs above average on key outcome measures.

A 97.0% retention rate shows that students at The University of Texas at Austin are finding the support they need to persist. In-state tuition sits at $11,678 per year, keeping costs manageable for most students. The program graduated 88 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

Coming in at #12 nationally, Stockton University is a strong contender among BSW programs for 2026. Students here benefit from a program that performs above average on key outcome measures.

The school holds onto 79.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. At $12,996 per year, the tuition is moderate — not the cheapest option, but far from the most expensive. With 101 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Coming in at #13 nationally, The College of Saint Scholastica is a strong contender among BSW programs for 2026. Students here benefit from a program that performs above average on key outcome measures.

A 82.0% retention rate shows that students at The College of Saint Scholastica are finding the support they need to persist. At $39,530 per year, tuition is above average — make sure to explore scholarship and aid options. The College of Saint Scholastica produced 45 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

Calvin University ranks #14 in our 2026 BSW program list, placing it in the top 25 nationally. That's a solid showing among the 130+ programs we evaluated.

A 87.0% retention rate shows that students at Calvin University are finding the support they need to persist. Tuition runs $38,370 per year, which is higher than many comparable programs. Financial aid can help offset the cost. With 29 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Miami University-Oxford ranks #15 in our 2026 BSW program list, placing it in the top 25 nationally. That's a solid showing among the 130+ programs we evaluated.

With a retention rate of 90.0%, Miami University-Oxford clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. At $14,052 per year, the tuition is moderate — not the cheapest option, but far from the most expensive. The program graduated 54 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

San Diego State University ranks #16 in our 2026 BSW program list, placing it in the top 25 nationally. That's a solid showing among the 130+ programs we evaluated.

With a retention rate of 91.0%, San Diego State University clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. You'll pay $5,742 per year in tuition, which is in the typical range for BSW programs. The program graduated 80 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

Coming in at #17 nationally, Salve Regina University is a strong contender among BSW programs for 2026. Students here benefit from a program that performs above average on key outcome measures.

With a retention rate of 83.0%, Salve Regina University clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. Tuition runs $47,180 per year, which is higher than many comparable programs. Financial aid can help offset the cost. With 23 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

At #18 in our 2026 rankings, University of California-Berkeley offers a BSW program that stands out from the pack. If you're weighing your options, this school deserves consideration.

The school holds onto 97.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. You'll pay $11,834 per year in tuition, which is in the typical range for BSW programs. The program graduated 68 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

Coming in at #19 nationally, World Mission University is a strong contender among BSW programs for 2026. Students here benefit from a program that performs above average on key outcome measures.

The school holds onto 100.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. At $6,720 per year, the tuition is moderate — not the cheapest option, but far from the most expensive. With 11 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

College of the Ozarks ranks #20 in our 2026 BSW program list, placing it in the top 25 nationally. That's a solid showing among the 130+ programs we evaluated.

A 90.0% retention rate shows that students at College of the Ozarks are finding the support they need to persist. In-state tuition of $20,800 per year puts this on the pricier side, so you'll want to factor in financial aid availability. The program graduated 13 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

Rutgers University-New Brunswick ranks #21 in our 2026 BSW program list, placing it in the top 25 nationally. That's a solid showing among the 130+ programs we evaluated.

The school holds onto 93.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. In-state tuition sits at $13,674 per year, keeping costs manageable for most students. With 86 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

At #22 in our 2026 rankings, California State University-Sacramento offers a BSW program that stands out from the pack. If you're weighing your options, this school deserves consideration.

The school holds onto 82.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. At $5,742 per year, the tuition is moderate — not the cheapest option, but far from the most expensive. The program graduated 151 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

Florida State University ranks #23 in our 2026 BSW program list, placing it in the top 25 nationally. That's a solid showing among the 130+ programs we evaluated.

A 96.0% retention rate shows that students at Florida State University are finding the support they need to persist. At just $4,640 per year for in-state tuition, you'll find one of the most affordable paths into social work. The program graduated 67 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

At #24 in our 2026 rankings, Winona State University offers a BSW program that stands out from the pack. If you're weighing your options, this school deserves consideration.

With a retention rate of 79.0%, Winona State University clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. In-state tuition sits at $8,388 per year, keeping costs manageable for most students. Winona State University produced 72 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

At #25 in our 2026 rankings, North Carolina State University at Raleigh offers a BSW program that stands out from the pack. If you're weighing your options, this school deserves consideration.

A 94.0% retention rate shows that students at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are finding the support they need to persist. You'll pay $6,535 per year in tuition, which is in the typical range for BSW programs. The program graduated 64 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

Ranked #26 among BSW programs for 2026, University of Utah holds a solid mid-range position. For students who value factors beyond just rankings, there's a lot to consider here.

The school holds onto 86.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. In-state tuition sits at $8,175 per year, keeping costs manageable for most students. The program graduated 117 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

At #27 nationally, Florida Atlantic University is a BSW program that deserves a closer look. The school's overall performance puts it in the upper half of programs we evaluated.

A 84.0% retention rate shows that students at Florida Atlantic University are finding the support they need to persist. At just $2,522 per year for in-state tuition, you'll find one of the most affordable paths into social work. With 173 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

At #28 nationally, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a BSW program that deserves a closer look. The school's overall performance puts it in the upper half of programs we evaluated.

The school holds onto 95.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. In-state tuition sits at $14,768 per year, keeping costs manageable for most students. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign produced 73 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

University of Wisconsin-Madison comes in at #29 in our 2026 BSW program rankings. While not at the very top, this program offers a respectable combination of outcomes that many students find appealing.

The school holds onto 96.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. In-state tuition sits at $9,644 per year, keeping costs manageable for most students. University of Wisconsin-Madison produced 57 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University comes in at #30 in our 2026 BSW program rankings. While not at the very top, this program offers a respectable combination of outcomes that many students find appealing.

With a retention rate of 89.0%, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. At just $3,152 per year for in-state tuition, you'll find one of the most affordable paths into social work. The program graduated 47 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

Ranked #31 among BSW programs for 2026, University of Portland holds a solid mid-range position. For students who value factors beyond just rankings, there's a lot to consider here.

A 88.0% retention rate shows that students at University of Portland are finding the support they need to persist. Tuition runs $54,400 per year, which is higher than many comparable programs. Financial aid can help offset the cost. With 17 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Ranked #32 among BSW programs for 2026, University of South Florida holds a solid mid-range position. For students who value factors beyond just rankings, there's a lot to consider here.

A 91.0% retention rate shows that students at University of South Florida are finding the support they need to persist. In-state tuition of $4,559 makes this one of the cheapest BSW programs available — hard to beat on price alone. With 78 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Ranked #33 among BSW programs for 2026, University of Northern Iowa holds a solid mid-range position. For students who value factors beyond just rankings, there's a lot to consider here.

A 82.0% retention rate shows that students at University of Northern Iowa are finding the support they need to persist. At $8,396 per year, the tuition is moderate — not the cheapest option, but far from the most expensive. With 81 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

At #34 nationally, University of Central Florida is a BSW program that deserves a closer look. The school's overall performance puts it in the upper half of programs we evaluated.

A 92.0% retention rate shows that students at University of Central Florida are finding the support they need to persist. At just $4,478 per year for in-state tuition, you'll find one of the most affordable paths into social work. With 93 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Ranked #35 among BSW programs for 2026, St Olaf College holds a solid mid-range position. For students who value factors beyond just rankings, there's a lot to consider here.

With a retention rate of 92.0%, St Olaf College clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. At $56,970 per year, tuition is above average — make sure to explore scholarship and aid options. With 14 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Ranked #36 among BSW programs for 2026, Nazareth University holds a solid mid-range position. For students who value factors beyond just rankings, there's a lot to consider here.

The school holds onto 85.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. In-state tuition of $38,790 per year puts this on the pricier side, so you'll want to factor in financial aid availability. With 32 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Franciscan University of Steubenville comes in at #37 in our 2026 BSW program rankings. While not at the very top, this program offers a respectable combination of outcomes that many students find appealing.

With a retention rate of 87.0%, Franciscan University of Steubenville clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. Tuition runs $32,070 per year, which is higher than many comparable programs. Financial aid can help offset the cost. The program graduated 18 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

Ranked #38 among BSW programs for 2026, New York University holds a solid mid-range position. For students who value factors beyond just rankings, there's a lot to consider here.

A 96.0% retention rate shows that students at New York University are finding the support they need to persist. At $60,438 per year, tuition is above average — make sure to explore scholarship and aid options. The program graduated 59 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

Ranked #39 among BSW programs for 2026, Siena College holds a solid mid-range position. For students who value factors beyond just rankings, there's a lot to consider here.

The school holds onto 83.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. In-state tuition of $42,580 per year puts this on the pricier side, so you'll want to factor in financial aid availability. The program graduated 21 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

Keuka College comes in at #40 in our 2026 BSW program rankings. While not at the very top, this program offers a respectable combination of outcomes that many students find appealing.

With a retention rate of 73.0%, Keuka College clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. In-state tuition of $36,500 per year puts this on the pricier side, so you'll want to factor in financial aid availability. With 93 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Texas Christian University comes in at #41 in our 2026 BSW program rankings. While not at the very top, this program offers a respectable combination of outcomes that many students find appealing.

The school holds onto 93.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. At $57,130 per year, tuition is above average — make sure to explore scholarship and aid options. The program graduated 32 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

James Madison University comes in at #42 in our 2026 BSW program rankings. While not at the very top, this program offers a respectable combination of outcomes that many students find appealing.

The school holds onto 92.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. At $7,914 per year, the tuition is moderate — not the cheapest option, but far from the most expensive. With 48 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

At #43 nationally, Monmouth University is a BSW program that deserves a closer look. The school's overall performance puts it in the upper half of programs we evaluated.

With a retention rate of 80.0%, Monmouth University clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. In-state tuition of $44,098 per year puts this on the pricier side, so you'll want to factor in financial aid availability. With 34 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

At #44 nationally, University of Washington-Seattle Campus is a BSW program that deserves a closer look. The school's overall performance puts it in the upper half of programs we evaluated.

With a retention rate of 95.0%, University of Washington-Seattle Campus clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. At $11,524 per year, the tuition is moderate — not the cheapest option, but far from the most expensive. University of Washington-Seattle Campus produced 48 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

At #45 nationally, California State University-Chico is a BSW program that deserves a closer look. The school's overall performance puts it in the upper half of programs we evaluated.

A 82.0% retention rate shows that students at California State University-Chico are finding the support they need to persist. At $5,742 per year, the tuition is moderate — not the cheapest option, but far from the most expensive. With 66 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Ranked #46 among BSW programs for 2026, Binghamton University holds a solid mid-range position. For students who value factors beyond just rankings, there's a lot to consider here.

With a retention rate of 89.0%, Binghamton University clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. In-state tuition sits at $7,070 per year, keeping costs manageable for most students. The program graduated 39 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

At #47 nationally, California State University-Fresno is a BSW program that deserves a closer look. The school's overall performance puts it in the upper half of programs we evaluated.

The school holds onto 82.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. At $5,742 per year, the tuition is moderate — not the cheapest option, but far from the most expensive. The program graduated 89 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

California State University-Long Beach comes in at #48 in our 2026 BSW program rankings. While not at the very top, this program offers a respectable combination of outcomes that many students find appealing.

With a retention rate of 87.0%, California State University-Long Beach clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. At $5,742 per year, the tuition is moderate — not the cheapest option, but far from the most expensive. The program graduated 60 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

At #49 nationally, University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a BSW program that deserves a closer look. The school's overall performance puts it in the upper half of programs we evaluated.

The school holds onto 85.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. With tuition at $3,812, the financial barrier to entry here is remarkably low. University of North Carolina at Charlotte produced 80 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

Ranked #50 among BSW programs for 2026, Eastern Connecticut State University holds a solid mid-range position. For students who value factors beyond just rankings, there's a lot to consider here.

A 84.0% retention rate shows that students at Eastern Connecticut State University are finding the support they need to persist. At $6,664 per year, the tuition is moderate — not the cheapest option, but far from the most expensive. With 36 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.