Best BSW Colleges in New Jersey 2026

If you're considering a career in social work, Rutgers University-Newark stands out as the #2 BSW program for 2026. This school earned its place through a strong combination of student outcomes and program vitality.

A 84.0% retention rate shows that students at Rutgers University-Newark are finding the support they need to persist. You'll pay $13,674 per year in tuition, which is in the typical range for BSW programs. The program graduated 82 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

If Ramapo College of New Jersey is on your shortlist, you're looking in the right place — it comes in at #8 in our 2026 BSW rankings, putting it in the top tier nationally.

With a retention rate of 84.0%, Ramapo College of New Jersey clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. In-state tuition of $15,978 per year puts this on the pricier side, so you'll want to factor in financial aid availability. With 49 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Coming in at #12 nationally, Stockton University is a strong contender among BSW programs for 2026. Students here benefit from a program that performs above average on key outcome measures.

The school holds onto 79.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. At $12,996 per year, the tuition is moderate — not the cheapest option, but far from the most expensive. With 101 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Rutgers University-New Brunswick ranks #21 in our 2026 BSW program list, placing it in the top 25 nationally. That's a solid showing among the 130+ programs we evaluated.

The school holds onto 93.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. In-state tuition sits at $13,674 per year, keeping costs manageable for most students. With 86 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

At #43 nationally, Monmouth University 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 a retention rate of 80.0%, Monmouth University clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. In-state tuition of $44,098 per year puts this on the pricier side, so you'll want to factor in financial aid availability. With 34 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Rutgers University-Camden ranks #79 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 80.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. In-state tuition sits at $13,674 per year, keeping costs manageable for most students. The program graduated 42 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

Coming in at #117, Georgian Court 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 76.0%, Georgian Court 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. Georgian Court University produced 15 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

Montclair State University sits at #179 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 78.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. You'll pay $13,710 per year in tuition, which is in the typical range for BSW programs. Montclair State University produced 46 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

Coming in at #187, Centenary 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 78.0%, Centenary University clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. Tuition runs $36,636 per year, which is higher than many comparable programs. Financial aid can help offset the cost. With 14 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Coming in at #250, Seton Hall 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 81.0%, Seton Hall University clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. Tuition runs $48,670 per year, which is higher than many comparable programs. Financial aid can help offset the cost. Seton Hall University produced 14 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

Saint Elizabeth University ranks #338 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 65.0% of students returning after their first year, Saint Elizabeth University maintains a reasonable retention rate. In-state tuition of $33,886 per year puts this on the pricier side, so you'll want to factor in financial aid availability. The program is smaller, with 6 social work completions last year — which can mean more personalized attention.

Saint Peter's University ranks #550 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 72.0%, Saint Peter's University clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. Tuition runs $39,954 per year, which is higher than many comparable programs. Financial aid can help offset the cost. With 2 recent completions, this is a smaller program. That often translates to closer faculty relationships.