Best BSW Colleges in Massachusetts 2026

If you're considering a career in social work, Simmons University stands out as our top-ranked BSW program for 2026. This school earned its place through a strong combination of student outcomes and program vitality.

A 85.0% retention rate shows that students at Simmons University are finding the support they need to persist. At $44,208 per year, tuition is above average — make sure to explore scholarship and aid options. The program graduated 44 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

Coming in at #95, College of Our Lady of the Elms 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. In-state tuition of $40,095 per year puts this on the pricier side, so you'll want to factor in financial aid availability. College of Our Lady of the Elms produced 30 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

Bridgewater State University sits at #141 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 of $910 makes this one of the cheapest BSW programs available — hard to beat on price alone. With 78 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Westfield State University sits at #169 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 74.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. In-state tuition of $970 makes this one of the cheapest BSW programs available — hard to beat on price alone. With 22 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Salem State University ranks #175 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%, Salem State University clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. With tuition at $910, the financial barrier to entry here is remarkably low. Salem State University produced 42 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

Boston University ranks #206 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 95.0%, Boston University clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. Tuition runs $63,798 per year, which is higher than many comparable programs. Financial aid can help offset the cost. The program is smaller, with 1 social work completions last year — which can mean more personalized attention.

Coming in at #243, Regis 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.

A 79.0% retention rate shows that students at Regis College are finding the support they need to persist. At $47,770 per year, tuition is above average — make sure to explore scholarship and aid options. With 5 recent completions, this is a smaller program. That often translates to closer faculty relationships.

Coming in at #249, Springfield 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 a retention rate of 81.0%, Springfield College clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. In-state tuition of $42,566 per year puts this on the pricier side, so you'll want to factor in financial aid availability. With 5 recent completions, this is a smaller program. That often translates to closer faculty relationships.

Anna Maria College sits at #385 in our 2026 BSW rankings. The program's numbers are mixed, but your experience will depend on many factors beyond what rankings capture.

Anna Maria College keeps 60.0% of its students year over year, which is in line with what you'd expect from a mid-range program. In-state tuition of $40,332 per year puts this on the pricier side, so you'll want to factor in financial aid availability. The program is smaller, with 9 social work completions last year — which can mean more personalized attention.

Lesley University sits at #389 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 72.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. At $31,890 per year, tuition is above average — make sure to explore scholarship and aid options. Lesley University produced 11 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

University of Massachusetts-Boston sits at #431 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 Massachusetts-Boston keeps 70.0% of its students year over year, which is in line with what you'd expect from a mid-range program. You'll pay $14,905 per year in tuition, which is in the typical range for BSW programs. The program graduated 20 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

Eastern Nazarene College sits at #519 in our 2026 BSW rankings. The program's numbers are mixed, but your experience will depend on many factors beyond what rankings capture.

With 57.0% of students returning after their first year, Eastern Nazarene College maintains a reasonable retention rate. At $27,350 per year, tuition is above average — make sure to explore scholarship and aid options. Only 2 students completed the BSW recently. Smaller cohorts can be an advantage if you prefer tighter-knit learning.