Best Online Bachelor’s in Social Work Programs of 2025

If you care about social justice, are committed to your community, and are invested in using evidence-based strategies to improve the lives of others, consider getting an online social work degree.

Pursuing an online bachelor’s in social work (BSW) equips you with the necessary knowledge for careers in social welfare, policy, advocacy, or education. Check out some of the best online bachelor’s in social work programs to find the right fit for you.

Source: BestColleges 2024 Online Education Trends Report

There are several things to consider when considering an online BSW degree program, including cost, financial aid, program length, and accreditation. Evaluating each will help you find the program that is the best fit for you.

The typical tuition and fees of a social work bachelor’s program is just over $8,500 for in-state students. For out-of-state students, the price increases to around $12,700.

However, many students qualify for financial aid, including grants and scholarships, that bring the overall cost of attendance down. The average net price for in-state students was roughly $5,600 in 2020, while out-of-students paid around $10,300.

In addition to financial aid, many social work students may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, which forgives all federal student loan debt for borrowers who work at least 10 years for a federal, state, local, or tribal government or nonprofit organization.

Earning a bachelor’s degree in social work usually takes four years for full-time students. During that time, you’ll take general education and social work-specific courses and complete an internship or practicum.

However, if you already have an associate degree, you can enroll in an accelerated BSW program and earn your degree in as little as two years.

Depending on the program, application requirements for online BSW degrees can be different. For example, some schools might waive application fees. Others might have optional standardized test scores.

Programmatic accreditation ensures that academic programs adhere to specific educational quality standards, compared to institutional accreditation, which evaluates institutions as a whole. Programmatic accreditation is especially important for professional pathways and career-focused programs including nursing, business, engineering, counseling, and social work.

When considering an online bachelor’s degree in social work, make sure the programs you are considering are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

CSWE accreditation will ensure you receive a quality education and will set you on the path toward obtaining your social worker state licensure. In addition, many social work jobs require a social work degree from a CSWE-accredited program.

A bachelor’s degree in social work can open doors to entry-level, non-clinical roles in the field.

The BLS projects around 67,000 openings for social workers each year, expecting a 7% growth in employment over the next decade, nearly double the average for all occupations.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Many people find an online BSW degree worthwhile due to its flexibility and transferability to other career paths. An online social work bachelor’s program allows students to continue working while they earn their degree and usually only requires in-person visits 1-2 times per year, minus any supervised field experience.

Once you graduate, you’ll be able to directly enter the workforce or advance to a master’s social work (MSW) program.

While social worker salaries vary, many benefit from loan forgiveness programs, like the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, which forgives all federal student loan debt for borrowers who work at least 10 years for a federal, state, local, or tribal government or nonprofit organization.

While a BSW can prepare you for entry-level positions in the social work field, a master’s degree can boost your earning potential and qualify you for licensure and clinical work.

An online MSW program can take around two years to complete; however, students with a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program may be eligible for an advanced standing program, which can take as little as 12 months to complete.

Those who want to pursue the most advanced clinical practice and research positions may be interested in earning their doctorate in social work (DSW). These programs take 2-5 years to complete and require an original research dissertation in addition to coursework.