Best BSW Colleges in Iowa 2026

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.

Loras College ranks #59 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 82.0%, Loras College clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. Tuition runs $36,454 per year, which is higher than many comparable programs. Financial aid can help offset the cost. Loras College produced 20 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

Coming in at #84, University of Iowa 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.

A 90.0% retention rate shows that students at University of Iowa are finding the support they need to persist. At $9,016 per year, the tuition is moderate — not the cheapest option, but far from the most expensive. University of Iowa produced 43 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

Coming in at #149, Dordt 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 a retention rate of 85.0%, Dordt University clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. Tuition runs $35,360 per year, which is higher than many comparable programs. Financial aid can help offset the cost. The program graduated 20 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

Coming in at #150, Saint Ambrose 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.

A 76.0% retention rate shows that students at Saint Ambrose University are finding the support they need to persist. At $35,318 per year, tuition is above average — make sure to explore scholarship and aid options. Saint Ambrose University produced 23 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

Coming in at #239, Grand View 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.

The school retains 70.0% of its first-year students — a solid number that suggests most students are getting what they need here. In-state tuition of $32,800 per year puts this on the pricier side, so you'll want to factor in financial aid availability. The program graduated 15 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

Buena Vista University ranks #246 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 76.0% retention rate shows that students at Buena Vista University are finding the support they need to persist. At $40,190 per year, tuition is above average — make sure to explore scholarship and aid options. Only 8 students completed the BSW recently. Smaller cohorts can be an advantage if you prefer tighter-knit learning.

Briar Cliff University sits at #254 in our 2026 BSW rankings. The program's numbers are mixed, but your experience will depend on many factors beyond what rankings capture.

Briar Cliff University keeps 64.0% of its students year over year, which is in line with what you'd expect from a mid-range program. At $33,369 per year, tuition is above average — make sure to explore scholarship and aid options. Briar Cliff University produced 13 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

Coming in at #292, Luther 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 holds onto 77.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. At $49,650 per year, tuition is above average — make sure to explore scholarship and aid options. The program graduated 12 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

Wartburg College ranks #307 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 76.0%, Wartburg College clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. In-state tuition of $48,490 per year puts this on the pricier side, so you'll want to factor in financial aid availability. With 11 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Northwestern College ranks #308 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 73.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. Tuition runs $35,000 per year, which is higher than many comparable programs. Financial aid can help offset the cost. Only 8 students completed the BSW recently. Smaller cohorts can be an advantage if you prefer tighter-knit learning.

Coming in at #319, Mount Mercy 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 a retention rate of 73.0%, Mount Mercy University clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. In-state tuition of $38,070 per year puts this on the pricier side, so you'll want to factor in financial aid availability. Only 9 students completed the BSW recently. Smaller cohorts can be an advantage if you prefer tighter-knit learning.

Clarke University ranks #433 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.

Clarke University keeps 67.0% of its students year over year, which is in line with what you'd expect from a mid-range program. In-state tuition of $38,400 per year puts this on the pricier side, so you'll want to factor in financial aid availability. Only 5 students completed the BSW recently. Smaller cohorts can be an advantage if you prefer tighter-knit learning.