Best BSW Colleges in Michigan 2026

Ferris State University earns the #2 spot on our 2026 list of the best BSW programs in the country. For students serious about social work, this is a program worth a close look.

A 73.0% retention rate shows that students at Ferris State University are finding the support they need to persist. At $14,140 per year, the tuition is moderate — not the cheapest option, but far from the most expensive. With 30 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Lake Superior State University ranks #13 in our 2026 BSW program list, placing it in the top 25 nationally. That's a solid showing among the 130+ programs we evaluated.

Lake Superior State University keeps 69.0% of its students year over year, which is in line with what you'd expect from a mid-range program. At $13,968 per year, the tuition is moderate — not the cheapest option, but far from the most expensive. The program is smaller, with 4 social work completions last year — which can mean more personalized attention.

At #35 nationally, Gogebic Community College is a BSW program that deserves a closer look. The school's overall performance puts it in the upper half of programs we evaluated.

With 62.0% of students returning after their first year, Gogebic Community College maintains a reasonable retention rate. At $6,107 per year, the tuition is moderate — not the cheapest option, but far from the most expensive. The program is smaller, with 4 social work completions last year — which can mean more personalized attention.

Bay de Noc Community College sits at #54 in our 2026 BSW rankings. The program's numbers are mixed, but your experience will depend on many factors beyond what rankings capture.

At 47.0% retention, Bay de Noc Community College loses more students than most programs. It's worth asking why and whether the school is addressing it. In-state tuition sits at $7,998 per year, keeping costs manageable for most students. Bay de Noc Community College produced 10 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

Southwestern Michigan College sits at #85 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 60.0% of its first-year students — a solid number that suggests most students are getting what they need here. In-state tuition sits at $5,673 per year, keeping costs manageable for most students. With 5 recent completions, this is a smaller program. That often translates to closer faculty relationships.

Henry Ford College sits at #93 in our 2026 BSW rankings. The program's numbers are mixed, but your experience will depend on many factors beyond what rankings capture.

Only 0.0% of first-year students return, which suggests Henry Ford College faces challenges in keeping students engaged. In-state tuition of $4,656 makes this one of the cheapest BSW programs available — hard to beat on price alone. With 16 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Coming in at #99, Macomb 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.

Macomb Community College keeps 64.0% 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 $6,240 per year, keeping costs manageable for most students. With 19 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Coming in at #128, Wayne County 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. At just $2,909 per year for in-state tuition, you'll find one of the most affordable paths into social work. The program is smaller, with 3 social work completions last year — which can mean more personalized attention.