Best BSW Colleges in Arkansas 2026
10 ranked BSW programs in Arkansas
How we rank these colleges → | All BSW programs in Arkansas →
All 10 Ranked Colleges in Arkansas
Harding University sits at #73 in our 2026 BSW rankings. The program's numbers are mixed, but your experience will depend on many factors beyond what rankings capture.
A 86.0% retention rate shows that students at Harding University are finding the support they need to persist. At $24,240 per year, tuition is above average — make sure to explore scholarship and aid options. The program graduated 27 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.
University of Arkansas sits at #125 in our 2026 BSW rankings. The program's numbers are mixed, but your experience will depend on many factors beyond what rankings capture.
A 86.0% retention rate shows that students at University of Arkansas are finding the support they need to persist. In-state tuition sits at $7,666 per year, keeping costs manageable for most students. The program graduated 56 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.
University of Arkansas at Little Rock ranks #299 in our 2026 BSW program list. While the school faces some challenges in certain metrics, it may still be a good fit depending on your priorities and location.
The school holds onto 76.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. You'll pay $6,600 per year in tuition, which is in the typical range for BSW programs. University of Arkansas at Little Rock produced 43 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.
Arkansas State University sits at #359 in our 2026 BSW rankings. The program's numbers are mixed, but your experience will depend on many factors beyond what rankings capture.
A 78.0% retention rate shows that students at Arkansas State University are finding the support they need to persist. In-state tuition sits at $7,176 per year, keeping costs manageable for most students. The program graduated 22 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff sits at #437 in our 2026 BSW rankings. The program's numbers are mixed, but your experience will depend on many factors beyond what rankings capture.
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff keeps 64.0% of its students year over year, which is in line with what you'd expect from a mid-range program. You'll pay $6,060 per year in tuition, which is in the typical range for BSW programs. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff produced 15 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith sits at #481 in our 2026 BSW rankings. The program's numbers are mixed, but your experience will depend on many factors beyond what rankings capture.
With 70.0% of students returning after their first year, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith maintains a reasonable retention rate. In-state tuition of $4,512 makes this one of the cheapest BSW programs available — hard to beat on price alone. University of Arkansas-Fort Smith produced 19 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.
University of Arkansas at Monticello ranks #497 in our 2026 BSW program list. While the school faces some challenges in certain metrics, it may still be a good fit depending on your priorities and location.
The school holds onto 72.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. At $5,400 per year, the tuition is moderate — not the cheapest option, but far from the most expensive. The program graduated 10 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.
Philander Smith University sits at #538 in our 2026 BSW rankings. The program's numbers are mixed, but your experience will depend on many factors beyond what rankings capture.
With 66.0% of students returning after their first year, Philander Smith University maintains a reasonable retention rate. In-state tuition sits at $11,804 per year, keeping costs manageable for most students. Only 6 students completed the BSW recently. Smaller cohorts can be an advantage if you prefer tighter-knit learning.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus sits at #556 in our 2026 BSW rankings. The program's numbers are mixed, but your experience will depend on many factors beyond what rankings capture.
The school retains 66.0% of its first-year students — a solid number that suggests most students are getting what they need here. You'll pay $7,200 per year in tuition, which is in the typical range for BSW programs. Only 9 students completed the BSW recently. Smaller cohorts can be an advantage if you prefer tighter-knit learning.
Henderson State University ranks #583 in our 2026 BSW program list. While the school faces some challenges in certain metrics, it may still be a good fit depending on your priorities and location.
Henderson State University keeps 62.0% of its students year over year, which is in line with what you'd expect from a mid-range program. You'll pay $5,928 per year in tuition, which is in the typical range for BSW programs. With 6 recent completions, this is a smaller program. That often translates to closer faculty relationships.
Where a BSW Leads
A Bachelor of Social Work opens into six main practice areas, and pay differs between them by more than most prospective students expect. Each guide below carries the full BLS percentile spread, pay by work setting, and pay by state. Figures are May 2025 medians.
Nonprofits and government — program development, policy, advocacy
K-12 districts — attendance, behavior, family support, IEP teams
Hospitals, clinics, home health — discharge planning and care coordination
Community clinics and hospitals — assessment, counseling, crisis response
Treatment centers and public health — recovery planning and aftercare
County and state agencies — child protection, foster care, family preservation
Not sure which fits? Start with the career and salary overview or the is social work for me self-assessment.