Best BSW Colleges in Illinois 2026

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.

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.

Loyola University Chicago ranks #109 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.

A 82.0% retention rate shows that students at Loyola University Chicago are finding the support they need to persist. Tuition runs $50,270 per year, which is higher than many comparable programs. Financial aid can help offset the cost. The program graduated 43 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

University of St Francis ranks #116 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.

With a retention rate of 79.0%, University of St Francis clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. Tuition runs $37,000 per year, which is higher than many comparable programs. Financial aid can help offset the cost. University of St Francis produced 16 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

Illinois State University sits at #129 in our 2026 BSW rankings. The program's numbers are mixed, but your experience will depend on many factors beyond what rankings capture.

A 81.0% retention rate shows that students at Illinois State University are finding the support they need to persist. At $11,000 per year, the tuition is moderate — not the cheapest option, but far from the most expensive. Illinois State University produced 50 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

Bradley University ranks #165 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.

A 83.0% retention rate shows that students at Bradley University are finding the support they need to persist. In-state tuition of $39,248 per year puts this on the pricier side, so you'll want to factor in financial aid availability. With 15 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Trinity Christian College ranks #205 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.

A 81.0% retention rate shows that students at Trinity Christian College are finding the support they need to persist. At $19,800 per year, tuition is above average — make sure to explore scholarship and aid options. With 6 recent completions, this is a smaller program. That often translates to closer faculty relationships.

Methodist College ranks #224 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.

In-state tuition of $16,248 per year puts this on the pricier side, so you'll want to factor in financial aid availability. Only 3 students completed the BSW recently. Smaller cohorts can be an advantage if you prefer tighter-knit learning.

Lewis University ranks #289 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.

With a retention rate of 79.0%, Lewis University clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. Tuition runs $37,592 per year, which is higher than many comparable programs. Financial aid can help offset the cost. The program graduated 13 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

Millikin University ranks #320 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.

With a retention rate of 75.0%, Millikin University clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. Tuition runs $42,778 per year, which is higher than many comparable programs. Financial aid can help offset the cost. The program is smaller, with 4 social work completions last year — which can mean more personalized attention.

Olivet Nazarene University ranks #332 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 71.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. Tuition runs $36,950 per year, which is higher than many comparable programs. Financial aid can help offset the cost. Olivet Nazarene University produced 22 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale ranks #358 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.

With 67.0% of students returning after their first year, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale maintains a reasonable retention rate. You'll pay $9,638 per year in tuition, which is in the typical range for BSW programs. The program graduated 38 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

Coming in at #367, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a BSW program with room to grow. That said, rankings don't tell the whole story — factors like location, campus culture, and fieldwork opportunities matter too.

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 $8,846 per year in tuition, which is in the typical range for BSW programs. With 23 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Coming in at #369, Northeastern Illinois University is a BSW program with room to grow. That said, rankings don't tell the whole story — factors like location, campus culture, and fieldwork opportunities matter too.

With 52.0% of students returning after their first year, Northeastern Illinois University maintains a reasonable retention rate. You'll pay $10,343 per year in tuition, which is in the typical range for BSW programs. With 76 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Coming in at #408, Western Illinois University is a BSW program with room to grow. That said, rankings don't tell the whole story — factors like location, campus culture, and fieldwork opportunities matter too.

Western Illinois University keeps 61.0% of its students year over year, which is in line with what you'd expect from a mid-range program. At $9,359 per year, the tuition is moderate — not the cheapest option, but far from the most expensive. Western Illinois University produced 22 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

Governors State University sits at #449 in our 2026 BSW rankings. The program's numbers are mixed, but your experience will depend on many factors beyond what rankings capture.

Governors State University keeps 56.0% of its students year over year, which is in line with what you'd expect from a mid-range program. In-state tuition sits at $7,872 per year, keeping costs manageable for most students. The program graduated 24 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

St. Augustine College ranks #456 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.

With 52.0% of students returning after their first year, St. Augustine College maintains a reasonable retention rate. In-state tuition sits at $12,888 per year, keeping costs manageable for most students. With 29 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

University of Illinois Springfield sits at #459 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 holds onto 75.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. In-state tuition sits at $9,865 per year, keeping costs manageable for most students. With 11 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Greenville University sits at #476 in our 2026 BSW rankings. The program's numbers are mixed, but your experience will depend on many factors beyond what rankings capture.

With a retention rate of 71.0%, Greenville University clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. At $29,998 per year, tuition is above average — make sure to explore scholarship and aid options. The program is smaller, with 1 social work completions last year — which can mean more personalized attention.

Coming in at #546, Concordia University-Chicago is a BSW program with room to grow. That said, rankings don't tell the whole story — factors like location, campus culture, and fieldwork opportunities matter too.

Concordia University-Chicago keeps 61.0% of its students year over year, which is in line with what you'd expect from a mid-range program. At $35,200 per year, tuition is above average — make sure to explore scholarship and aid options. With 6 recent completions, this is a smaller program. That often translates to closer faculty relationships.

Coming in at #567, National Louis University is a BSW program with room to grow. That said, rankings don't tell the whole story — factors like location, campus culture, and fieldwork opportunities matter too.

National Louis University keeps 50.0% of its students year over year, which is in line with what you'd expect from a mid-range program. In-state tuition sits at $13,776 per year, keeping costs manageable for most students. The program graduated 20 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.