Best BSW Colleges in Iowa 2026

Western Iowa Tech Community College sits at #76 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 64.0% of its first-year students — a solid number that suggests most students are getting what they need here. In-state tuition of $4,152 makes this one of the cheapest BSW programs available — hard to beat on price alone. With 1 recent completions, this is a smaller program. That often translates to closer faculty relationships.

Coming in at #82, Kirkwood Community College 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 retains 69.0% of its first-year students — a solid number that suggests most students are getting what they need here. You'll pay $5,880 per year in tuition, which is in the typical range for BSW programs. With 4 recent completions, this is a smaller program. That often translates to closer faculty relationships.

Coming in at #89, Eastern Iowa Community College District 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 retains 63.0% of its first-year students — a solid number that suggests most students are getting what they need here. With tuition at $4,680, the financial barrier to entry here is remarkably low. The program is smaller, with 3 social work completions last year — which can mean more personalized attention.

Coming in at #92, Iowa Western Community College 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 63.0% of students returning after their first year, Iowa Western Community College maintains a reasonable retention rate. In-state tuition sits at $6,270 per year, keeping costs manageable for most students. With 5 recent completions, this is a smaller program. That often translates to closer faculty relationships.

Coming in at #113, Ellsworth Community College 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.

Ellsworth Community College keeps 55.0% of its students year over year, which is in line with what you'd expect from a mid-range program. In-state tuition of $4,680 makes this one of the cheapest BSW programs available — hard to beat on price alone. With 1 recent completions, this is a smaller program. That often translates to closer faculty relationships.

Iowa Central Community College ranks #114 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.

Iowa Central Community College keeps 52.0% of its students year over year, which is in line with what you'd expect from a mid-range program. At just $4,800 per year for in-state tuition, you'll find one of the most affordable paths into social work. With 3 recent completions, this is a smaller program. That often translates to closer faculty relationships.

Hawkeye Community College ranks #126 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 58.0% of students returning after their first year, Hawkeye Community College maintains a reasonable retention rate. You'll pay $6,119 per year in tuition, which is in the typical range for BSW programs. The program is smaller, with 6 social work completions last year — which can mean more personalized attention.