Best BSW Colleges in Virginia 2026

James Madison University comes in at #42 in our 2026 BSW program rankings. While not at the very top, this program offers a respectable combination of outcomes that many students find appealing.

The school holds onto 92.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. At $7,914 per year, the tuition is moderate — not the cheapest option, but far from the most expensive. With 48 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Virginia Commonwealth University ranks #60 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 85.0%, Virginia Commonwealth University clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. In-state tuition sits at $12,850 per year, keeping costs manageable for most students. Virginia Commonwealth University produced 84 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

George Mason University ranks #74 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%, George Mason University clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. In-state tuition sits at $10,095 per year, keeping costs manageable for most students. The program graduated 50 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

Longwood University ranks #110 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 80.0%, Longwood University clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. At $8,660 per year, the tuition is moderate — not the cheapest option, but far from the most expensive. Longwood University produced 27 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

Christopher Newport University ranks #148 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 81.0%, Christopher Newport University clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. In-state tuition sits at $10,001 per year, keeping costs manageable for most students. Christopher Newport University produced 19 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

Coming in at #231, Mary Baldwin 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 retains 67.0% of its first-year students — a solid number that suggests most students are getting what they need here. Tuition runs $32,732 per year, which is higher than many comparable programs. Financial aid can help offset the cost. Mary Baldwin University produced 21 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

Coming in at #280, Liberty 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.

A 80.0% retention rate shows that students at Liberty University are finding the support they need to persist. At $15,015 per year, tuition is above average — make sure to explore scholarship and aid options. With 202 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Coming in at #285, Norfolk 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.

A 73.0% retention rate shows that students at Norfolk State University are finding the support they need to persist. At $5,926 per year, the tuition is moderate — not the cheapest option, but far from the most expensive. With 57 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Eastern Mennonite University ranks #293 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 Eastern Mennonite University are finding the support they need to persist. At $41,410 per year, tuition is above average — make sure to explore scholarship and aid options. With 9 recent completions, this is a smaller program. That often translates to closer faculty relationships.

Radford University ranks #348 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 Radford University are finding the support they need to persist. In-state tuition sits at $8,401 per year, keeping costs manageable for most students. With 23 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

Virginia State University ranks #480 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 69.0% of students returning after their first year, Virginia State University maintains a reasonable retention rate. You'll pay $5,540 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.

Virginia Wesleyan University ranks #547 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 74.0% retention rate shows that students at Virginia Wesleyan University are finding the support they need to persist. In-state tuition of $36,010 per year puts this on the pricier side, so you'll want to factor in financial aid availability. Only 3 students completed the BSW recently. Smaller cohorts can be an advantage if you prefer tighter-knit learning.

Virginia Union University sits at #549 in our 2026 BSW rankings. The program's numbers are mixed, but your experience will depend on many factors beyond what rankings capture.

Virginia Union University keeps 67.0% of its students year over year, which is in line with what you'd expect from a mid-range program. At $10,530 per year, the tuition is moderate — not the cheapest option, but far from the most expensive. With 8 recent completions, this is a smaller program. That often translates to closer faculty relationships.

Ferrum College ranks #561 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.

Ferrum College keeps 64.0% of its students year over year, which is in line with what you'd expect from a mid-range program. Tuition runs $37,400 per year, which is higher than many comparable programs. Financial aid can help offset the cost. The program is smaller, with 4 social work completions last year — which can mean more personalized attention.