Best BSW Colleges in North Carolina 2026

Appalachian State University earns the #7 spot in our 2026 BSW program rankings, reflecting solid performance in completion rates, retention, and program output.

With a retention rate of 84.0%, Appalachian State University clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. In-state tuition of $4,242 makes this one of the cheapest BSW programs available — hard to beat on price alone. With 95 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

University of North Carolina Wilmington earns the #9 spot in our 2026 BSW program rankings, reflecting solid performance in completion rates, retention, and program output.

A 88.0% retention rate shows that students at University of North Carolina Wilmington are finding the support they need to persist. In-state tuition of $4,443 makes this one of the cheapest BSW programs available — hard to beat on price alone. University of North Carolina Wilmington produced 73 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

At #25 in our 2026 rankings, North Carolina State University at Raleigh offers a BSW program that stands out from the pack. If you're weighing your options, this school deserves consideration.

A 94.0% retention rate shows that students at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are finding the support they need to persist. You'll pay $6,535 per year in tuition, which is in the typical range for BSW programs. The program graduated 64 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

At #49 nationally, University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a BSW program that deserves a closer look. The school's overall performance puts it in the upper half of programs we evaluated.

The school holds onto 85.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. With tuition at $3,812, the financial barrier to entry here is remarkably low. University of North Carolina at Charlotte produced 80 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

Meredith College ranks #76 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 79.0% retention rate shows that students at Meredith College are finding the support they need to persist. Tuition runs $43,816 per year, which is higher than many comparable programs. Financial aid can help offset the cost. The program graduated 14 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

Coming in at #86, East Carolina 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 holds onto 83.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. With tuition at $4,452, the financial barrier to entry here is remarkably low. The program graduated 64 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

Western Carolina University sits at #88 in our 2026 BSW rankings. The program's numbers are mixed, but your experience will depend on many factors beyond what rankings capture.

With a retention rate of 79.0%, Western Carolina University clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. At just $1,000 per year for in-state tuition, you'll find one of the most affordable paths into social work. Western Carolina University produced 51 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

Coming in at #143, University of North Carolina at Greensboro 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 79.0%, University of North Carolina at Greensboro clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. In-state tuition of $4,422 makes this one of the cheapest BSW programs available — hard to beat on price alone. With 72 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Winston-Salem State University sits at #157 in our 2026 BSW rankings. The program's numbers are mixed, but your experience will depend on many factors beyond what rankings capture.

A 77.0% retention rate shows that students at Winston-Salem State University are finding the support they need to persist. With tuition at $3,401, the financial barrier to entry here is remarkably low. Winston-Salem State University produced 33 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

Johnson C Smith University ranks #235 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 71.0%, Johnson C Smith University clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. Tuition runs $18,450 per year, which is higher than many comparable programs. Financial aid can help offset the cost. Johnson C Smith University produced 14 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

Coming in at #248, North Carolina A & T State 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 holds onto 78.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. With tuition at $3,540, the financial barrier to entry here is remarkably low. The program graduated 48 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

North Carolina Central University sits at #281 in our 2026 BSW rankings. The program's numbers are mixed, but your experience will depend on many factors beyond what rankings capture.

With a retention rate of 73.0%, North Carolina Central University clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. With tuition at $3,728, the financial barrier to entry here is remarkably low. The program graduated 44 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

Barton College ranks #284 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.

Barton College keeps 65.0% of its students year over year, which is in line with what you'd expect from a mid-range program. In-state tuition of $35,600 per year puts this on the pricier side, so you'll want to factor in financial aid availability. Barton College produced 14 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

Bennett College ranks #325 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 86.0%, Bennett College clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. At $16,640 per year, tuition is above average — make sure to explore scholarship and aid options. With 4 recent completions, this is a smaller program. That often translates to closer faculty relationships.

Coming in at #361, University of North Carolina at Pembroke 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 72.0% retention rate shows that students at University of North Carolina at Pembroke are finding the support they need to persist. At just $1,000 per year for in-state tuition, you'll find one of the most affordable paths into social work. University of North Carolina at Pembroke produced 39 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

Coming in at #362, Fayetteville State 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 75.0%, Fayetteville State University clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. In-state tuition of $1,000 makes this one of the cheapest BSW programs available — hard to beat on price alone. Fayetteville State University produced 36 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

Coming in at #374, Elizabeth City State 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 holds onto 77.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. With tuition at $1,000, the financial barrier to entry here is remarkably low. With 15 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Coming in at #391, Warren Wilson 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 71.0% retention rate shows that students at Warren Wilson College are finding the support they need to persist. At $39,300 per year, tuition is above average — make sure to explore scholarship and aid options. With 6 recent completions, this is a smaller program. That often translates to closer faculty relationships.

Mars Hill University ranks #469 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 retains 69.0% of its first-year students — a solid number that suggests most students are getting what they need here. At $37,270 per year, tuition is above average — make sure to explore scholarship and aid options. With 11 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Coming in at #498, Methodist 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 65.0% of students returning after their first year, Methodist University maintains a reasonable retention rate. Tuition runs $38,936 per year, which is higher than many comparable programs. Financial aid can help offset the cost. With 15 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Campbell University ranks #510 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 Campbell University are finding the support they need to persist. At $37,750 per year, tuition is above average — make sure to explore scholarship and aid options. Only 6 students completed the BSW recently. Smaller cohorts can be an advantage if you prefer tighter-knit learning.

Coming in at #541, Livingstone 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 71.0% retention rate shows that students at Livingstone College are finding the support they need to persist. In-state tuition of $15,917 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.

Coming in at #584, Shaw 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 52.0% of students returning after their first year, Shaw University maintains a reasonable retention rate. You'll pay $12,408 per year in tuition, which is in the typical range for BSW programs. With 5 recent completions, this is a smaller program. That often translates to closer faculty relationships.