Best BSW Colleges in West Virginia 2026

7 ranked BSW programs in West Virginia

How we rank these colleges → | All BSW programs in West Virginia →

All 7 Ranked Colleges in West Virginia

1
West Virginia University

Morgantown, WV · Public · 23,643 students

National #247
53.1 / 100
50.3%
Completion Rate
83.0%
Retention Rate
$9,648
In-State Tuition (excl. fees)

West Virginia University ranks #247 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 83.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. You'll pay $9,648 per year in tuition, which is in the typical range for BSW programs. With 34 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

2
West Liberty University

West Liberty, WV · Public · 2,299 students

National #304
48.3 / 100
72.8%
Completion Rate
69.0%
Retention Rate
$8,716
In-State Tuition (excl. fees)

Coming in at #304, West 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.

The school retains 69.0% of its first-year students — a solid number that suggests most students are getting what they need here. You'll pay $8,716 per year in tuition, which is in the typical range for BSW programs. Only 8 students completed the BSW recently. Smaller cohorts can be an advantage if you prefer tighter-knit learning.

3
Marshall University

Huntington, WV · Public · 11,958 students

National #403
40.5 / 100
49.9%
Completion Rate
72.0%
Retention Rate
$7,372
In-State Tuition (excl. fees)

Marshall University sits at #403 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 72.0%, Marshall University clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. At $7,372 per year, the tuition is moderate — not the cheapest option, but far from the most expensive. Marshall University produced 25 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

4
Concord University

Athens, WV · Public · 1,943 students

National #406
40.4 / 100
41.3%
Completion Rate
65.0%
Retention Rate
$9,100
In-State Tuition (excl. fees)

Coming in at #406, Concord 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.

Concord University 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 sits at $9,100 per year, keeping costs manageable for most students. Concord University produced 22 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

5
Shepherd University

Shepherdstown, WV · Public · 3,339 students

National #492
31.6 / 100
40.5%
Completion Rate
71.0%
Retention Rate
$6,288
In-State Tuition (excl. fees)

Coming in at #492, Shepherd 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 71.0%, Shepherd University clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. In-state tuition sits at $6,288 per year, keeping costs manageable for most students. With 13 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

6
West Virginia State University

Institute, WV · Public · 3,246 students

National #520
27.4 / 100
38.3%
Completion Rate
57.0%
Retention Rate
$8,924
In-State Tuition (excl. fees)

Coming in at #520, West Virginia 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.

West Virginia State University keeps 57.0% of its students year over year, which is in line with what you'd expect from a mid-range program. At $8,924 per year, the tuition is moderate — not the cheapest option, but far from the most expensive. West Virginia State University produced 16 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

7
Bethany College

Bethany, WV · Private · 640 students

National #565
20.8 / 100
42.2%
Completion Rate
54.0%
Retention Rate
$31,920
In-State Tuition (excl. fees)

Bethany College sits at #565 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 54.0% of its first-year students — a solid number that suggests most students are getting what they need here. Tuition runs $31,920 per year, which is higher than many comparable programs. Financial aid can help offset the cost. With 3 recent completions, this is a smaller program. That often translates to closer faculty relationships.

Where a BSW Leads

A Bachelor of Social Work opens into six main practice areas, and pay differs between them by more than most prospective students expect. Each guide below carries the full BLS percentile spread, pay by work setting, and pay by state. Figures are May 2025 medians.

Not sure which fits? Start with the career and salary overview or the is social work for me self-assessment.