Best BSW Colleges 2026

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith sits at #481 in our 2026 BSW rankings. The program's numbers are mixed, but your experience will depend on many factors beyond what rankings capture.

With 70.0% of students returning after their first year, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith maintains a reasonable retention rate. In-state tuition of $4,512 makes this one of the cheapest BSW programs available — hard to beat on price alone. University of Arkansas-Fort Smith produced 19 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

Misericordia University ranks #482 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 78.0% retention rate shows that students at Misericordia University are finding the support they need to persist. In-state tuition of $36,400 per year puts this on the pricier side, so you'll want to factor in financial aid availability. Only 7 students completed the BSW recently. Smaller cohorts can be an advantage if you prefer tighter-knit learning.

University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne sits at #483 in our 2026 BSW rankings. The program's numbers are mixed, but your experience will depend on many factors beyond what rankings capture.

A 71.0% retention rate shows that students at University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne are finding the support they need to persist. Tuition runs $34,190 per year, which is higher than many comparable programs. Financial aid can help offset the cost. Only 5 students completed the BSW recently. Smaller cohorts can be an advantage if you prefer tighter-knit learning.

Coming in at #484, Defiance 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 56.0% of students returning after their first year, Defiance College maintains a reasonable retention rate. Tuition runs $37,978 per year, which is higher than many comparable programs. Financial aid can help offset the cost. The program graduated 11 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

Coming in at #485, Eastern 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.

Eastern University keeps 65.0% of its students year over year, which is in line with what you'd expect from a mid-range program. At $36,760 per year, tuition is above average — make sure to explore scholarship and aid options. The program graduated 11 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

University of Louisiana at Monroe sits at #486 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 73.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. At $5,788 per year, the tuition is moderate — not the cheapest option, but far from the most expensive. The program graduated 15 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

Coming in at #487, Whittier 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 retains 66.0% of its first-year students — a solid number that suggests most students are getting what they need here. In-state tuition of $48,924 per year puts this on the pricier side, so you'll want to factor in financial aid availability. Only 4 students completed the BSW recently. Smaller cohorts can be an advantage if you prefer tighter-knit learning.

Missouri Southern State University sits at #488 in our 2026 BSW rankings. The program's numbers are mixed, but your experience will depend on many factors beyond what rankings capture.

Missouri Southern State University keeps 63.0% of its students year over year, which is in line with what you'd expect from a mid-range program. At $8,400 per year, the tuition is moderate — not the cheapest option, but far from the most expensive. With 20 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

University of Akron Wayne College sits at #489 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 Akron Wayne College keeps 59.0% 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 $7,008 per year, keeping costs manageable for most students. With 21 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Walden University sits at #490 in our 2026 BSW rankings. The program's numbers are mixed, but your experience will depend on many factors beyond what rankings capture.

At 0.0% retention, Walden University loses more students than most programs. It's worth asking why and whether the school is addressing it. You'll pay $10,313 per year in tuition, which is in the typical range for BSW programs. Walden University produced 208 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.