Best Online Bachelor’s in Social Work Programs for 2024
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2024You care about social justice. You’re committed to your community. You’re invested in using evidence-based strategies to make life better for other people.
Does this sound like you? Consider getting an online social work degree.
In an online social work program, you’ll learn everything you need to know to pursue a career in social welfare, policy, advocacy, or education — and we can help you get started.
Popular Online Bachelor’s in Social Work Programs
Best Online Social Work Programs of 2024
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,666
- Out-of-state$24,482
- In-State$7,875
- Out-of-state$21,420
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate83%
- Students Enrolled29,068
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment35%
- AccreditationYes
Fresno Pacific University
- Fresno, CA
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$32,954
- Out-of-state$32,954
- In-State$15,000
- Out-of-state$15,000
- Retention Rate72%
- Acceptance Rate78%
- Students Enrolled3,524
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment43%
- AccreditationYes
Simmons University
- Boston, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$41,872
- Out-of-state$41,872
- In-State$21,384
- Out-of-state$21,384
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate84%
- Students Enrolled5,984
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment59%
- AccreditationYes
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
- Knoxville, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$11,332
- Out-of-state$29,522
- In-State$11,468
- Out-of-state$29,656
- Retention Rate88%
- Acceptance Rate75%
- Students Enrolled31,701
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment46%
- AccreditationYes
University of North Dakota
- Grand Forks, ND
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,882
- Out-of-state$13,323
- In-State$11,503
- Out-of-state$17,254
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate89%
- Students Enrolled13,772
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment70%
- AccreditationYes
The University of Alabama
- Tuscaloosa, AL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,780
- Out-of-state$30,250
- In-State$10,780
- Out-of-state$30,250
- Retention Rate89%
- Acceptance Rate79%
- Students Enrolled38,316
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment40%
- AccreditationYes
Temple University
- Philadelphia, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$16,488
- Out-of-state$29,712
- In-State$17,388
- Out-of-state$23,922
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate72%
- Students Enrolled35,626
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment68%
- AccreditationYes
Maryville University of Saint Louis
- Saint Louis, MO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$24,766
- Out-of-state$24,766
- In-State$14,346
- Out-of-state$14,346
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate92%
- Students Enrolled10,596
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment84%
- AccreditationYes
University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Honolulu, HI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$11,304
- Out-of-state$33,336
- In-State$15,600
- Out-of-state$33,648
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate70%
- Students Enrolled19,098
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment89%
- AccreditationYes
Misericordia University
- Dallas, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$34,100
- Out-of-state$34,100
- In-State$35,550
- Out-of-state$35,550
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate89%
- Students Enrolled2,239
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment51%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
Is a Bachelor’s in Social Work Worth It?
Yes — many people find careers in social work to be personally rewarding. If you’re motivated to help others, a bachelor’s degree in social work is worth considering. Social work skills like communication, problem-solving, teamwork, empathy, and leadership are also transferable to many other career paths.
“I always tell prospective students that a social work degree is so much more useful than a psychology or sociology bachelor’s degree. Social work teaches interpersonal and communication skills in addition to theory.”
— Danica Copp, MSW, LICSW/LCSW
“A bachelor’s degree in social work teaches you a plethora of transferable skills that you can use in any field. However, if you want to get the best bang for your buck, my recommendation is that you get a bachelor’s and master’s degree.”
— Casondra Burkley, LCSW
Career and Salary Outlook with an Online Social Work Degree
With a bachelor’s in social work, you can become a caseworker, mental health assistant, or child advocate. You can also work as a community coordinator, social services specialist, or youth worker.
Outside of the social work and human services field, you can also pursue careers in education, human resources, and the nonprofit sector.
“This is a very marketable degree. You will learn about justice issues, underserved populations, and how to make a difference in the world. You will be inspired, but you will also have skills to pursue other careers.”
— Danica Copp, MSW, LICSW/LCSW
“Many people assume social work is only for people who want to work with the child abuse agencies … [but] there is so much variety in social work. You can work as a healthcare social worker in a hospital, as a program coordinator with a non-profit or school, justice social worker with the court system … the list is endless.”
— Casondra Burkley, LCSW
Some other popular careers for social work majors include:
Popular Social Work Jobs
- Social and community service manager
- School and career counselor
- Case manager
- Social worker
- Substance misuse counselor
- Behavioral disorder and mental health counselor
- Child and family social worker
- Rehabilitation counselor
Social workers earn an annual median salary of $63,770, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Take a look at the median annual earnings for different occupations in social work:
A master’s in social work degree can boost your earning potential and so can management roles. For example, social and community service managers earn a median salary of $77,030 per year.
Popular Online Bachelor’s in Social Work Programs
How Much Does a Social Work Degree Cost?
So how much exactly will you pay for a social work degree? Well, it depends on the school.
You can save money by choosing a more affordable program. According to the NCES, the average annual tuition cost of a bachelor’s degree in 2023 was $9,750 at public four-year universities.
Make sure to ask schools about financial aid opportunities — and remember that you can qualify for federal financial aid programs like the Pell Grant. Students received an average of $9,600 in aid at public institutions and $28,600 at private nonprofit institutions during the 2020-2021 school year, according to the NCES. While students received more aid at private vs. public universities, private schools cost significantly more.
Average Annual Tuition Cost of a Bachelor’s Degree | 2022-2023
Public Institution
$9,750
Private Institution (Nonprofit)
$38,421
Total Average Net Cost for One Year of College | 2021-2022
Public Institution (In-State)
$14,708
Private Institution (Nonprofit)
$28,418
How Long Does It Take to Get a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work?
Earning a bachelor’s degree in social work typically takes four years for full-time students. During that time, you’ll take general education classes and social work courses. You’ll also complete an internship or practicum<. And online programs work with you to arrange field study in their local area.
Required Course Credits
120 credits
Field Study Required?
Yes
*Depending on your program and specialization
Everything Else You Need to Know About an Online Bachelor’s in Social Work (BSW)
All BSW programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, including those offered online, require a minimum of 400 hours of in-person supervised field experience. Many online programs offer all coursework remotely but may require 1-2 campus visits a year for orientations or workshops.
A BSW prepares you for entry-level positions such as case workers, substance use counselors, and child welfare specialists. Many states grant licensure for generalist practice to BSW holders. However, most state licensing boards require an MSW to practice independently and in clinical roles.
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