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

1
Harding University

Searcy, AR · Private · 4,696 students

National #73
71.4 / 100
55.6%
Completion Rate
86.0%
Retention Rate
$24,240
In-State Tuition (excl. fees)

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.

2
University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, AR · Public · 33,610 students

National #125
65.6 / 100
55.6%
Completion Rate
86.0%
Retention Rate
$7,666
In-State Tuition (excl. fees)

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.

3
University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Little Rock, AR · Public · 8,216 students

National #299
48.4 / 100
40.1%
Completion Rate
76.0%
Retention Rate
$6,600
In-State Tuition (excl. fees)

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.

4
Arkansas State University

Jonesboro, AR · Public · 15,726 students

National #359
44 / 100
49.3%
Completion Rate
78.0%
Retention Rate
$7,176
In-State Tuition (excl. fees)

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.

5
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Pine Bluff, AR · Public · 2,005 students

National #437
36.6 / 100
43.5%
Completion Rate
64.0%
Retention Rate
$6,060
In-State Tuition (excl. fees)

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.

6
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

Fort Smith, AR · Public · 5,496 students

National #481
32.6 / 100
40.7%
Completion Rate
70.0%
Retention Rate
$4,512
In-State Tuition (excl. fees)

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.

7
University of Arkansas at Monticello

Monticello, AR · Public · 2,856 students

National #497
31.1 / 100
42.0%
Completion Rate
72.0%
Retention Rate
$5,400
In-State Tuition (excl. fees)

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.

8
Philander Smith University

Little Rock, AR · Private · 780 students

National #538
25.1 / 100
22.4%
Completion Rate
66.0%
Retention Rate
$11,804
In-State Tuition (excl. fees)

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.

9
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

Magnolia, AR · Public · 4,732 students

National #556
22.2 / 100
43.2%
Completion Rate
66.0%
Retention Rate
$7,200
In-State Tuition (excl. fees)

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.

10
Henderson State University

Arkadelphia, AR · Public · 2,055 students

National #583
16.3 / 100
34.4%
Completion Rate
62.0%
Retention Rate
$5,928
In-State Tuition (excl. fees)

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.

Not sure which fits? Start with the career and salary overview or the is social work for me self-assessment.