Best HBCUs for Master’s in Social Work Programs

Learn about the best HBCUs for master’s in social work programs. Find out how to apply and what you can expect from a social work program.

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Updated July 19, 2024

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Mindfulness of others’ cultural and ethnic diversity is a core tenant of social work. So much so that it’s affirmed in the National Association of Social Workers’ code of ethics:

“Social workers treat each person in a caring and respectful fashion, mindful of individual differences and cultural and ethnic diversity.”

Yet, the percentage of Black students in master of social work (MSW) programs is slowly falling. A 2019 report found that Black students constituted 20.1% of MSW students. By 2021, that percentage shrunk to 18.9%.

Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are among the leading educators of Black professionals in all fields in the U.S.

It stands to reason, therefore, that HBCU MSW programs can help bridge this divide.

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and Howard University are among the top HBCUs offering master of social work programs.

They offer a more Afrocentric or Black perspective, with the goal of reaffirming the history and cultural aspects of Africans, African Americans, and people of color.

These programs prepare students to work with urban families, organizations, and communities. Additionally, they focus on the importance of social justice and mental health.

In-person and online options are available.

Featured Online MSW Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

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In this Article

Best HBCU MSW Programs

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Tallahassee, FL4 yearCampus + Online

$8,019

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$22,108

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

33%

Acceptance Rate

98%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$3,152

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,524

Retention Rate

85%

Students Enrolled

9,184

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,019

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$22,108

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Tallahassee, FL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,019

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$22,108

Acceptance Rate

33%

Online Enrollment

98%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$3,152

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,524

Retention Rate

85%

Students Enrolled

9,184

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

North Carolina A&T State University

Greensboro, NC4 yearCampus + Online

$4,745

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$17,545

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

57%

Acceptance Rate

95%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$3,540

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,050

Retention Rate

80%

Students Enrolled

12,753

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,745

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,545

North Carolina A&T State University

Greensboro, NC4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,745

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,545

Acceptance Rate

57%

Online Enrollment

95%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$3,540

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,050

Retention Rate

80%

Students Enrolled

12,753

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Howard University

Washington, DC4 yearCampus + Online

$32,248

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$32,248

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

39%

Acceptance Rate

33%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$26,464

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,464

Retention Rate

90%

Students Enrolled

10,859

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$32,248

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,248

Howard University

Washington, DC4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$32,248

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,248

Acceptance Rate

39%

Online Enrollment

33%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$26,464

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,464

Retention Rate

90%

Students Enrolled

10,859

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville, NC4 yearCampus + Online

$3,438

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,503

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

79%

Acceptance Rate

91%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$2,982

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,590

Retention Rate

66%

Students Enrolled

6,726

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$3,438

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,503

Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville, NC4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$3,438

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,503

Acceptance Rate

79%

Online Enrollment

91%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$2,982

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,590

Retention Rate

66%

Students Enrolled

6,726

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

North Carolina Central University

Durham, NC4 yearCampus + Online

$4,740

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$17,694

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

87%

Acceptance Rate

54%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$3,728

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,435

Retention Rate

78%

Students Enrolled

8,078

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,740

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,694

North Carolina Central University

Durham, NC4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,740

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,694

Acceptance Rate

87%

Online Enrollment

54%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$3,728

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,435

Retention Rate

78%

Students Enrolled

8,078

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Delaware State University

Dover, DE4 yearCampus + Online

$5,160

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,376

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

39%

Acceptance Rate

65%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,038

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,960

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

4,739

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,160

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,376

Delaware State University

Dover, DE4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,160

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,376

Acceptance Rate

39%

Online Enrollment

65%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,038

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,960

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

4,739

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Albany State University

Albany, GA4 yearCampus + Online

$3,438

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,716

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

73%

Acceptance Rate

64%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,064

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,786

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

6,509

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$3,438

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,716

Albany State University

Albany, GA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$3,438

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,716

Acceptance Rate

73%

Online Enrollment

64%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,064

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,786

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

6,509

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Tennessee State University

Nashville, TN4 yearCampus + Online

$9,276

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$19,752

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

52%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,854

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,574

Retention Rate

64%

Students Enrolled

7,615

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,276

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,752

Tennessee State University

Nashville, TN4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,276

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,752

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

52%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,854

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,574

Retention Rate

64%

Students Enrolled

7,615

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Grambling State University

Grambling, LA4 yearCampus + Online

$5,110

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,110

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

93%

Acceptance Rate

86%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,140

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$5,140

Retention Rate

77%

Students Enrolled

5,438

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,110

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$5,110

Grambling State University

Grambling, LA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,110

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$5,110

Acceptance Rate

93%

Online Enrollment

86%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,140

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$5,140

Retention Rate

77%

Students Enrolled

5,438

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#10

Norfolk State University

Norfolk, VA4 yearCampus + Online

$8,820

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$20,872

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

91%

Acceptance Rate

87%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,752

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,920

Retention Rate

68%

Students Enrolled

5,457

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,820

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,872

Norfolk State University

Norfolk, VA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,820

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,872

Acceptance Rate

91%

Online Enrollment

87%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,752

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,920

Retention Rate

68%

Students Enrolled

5,457

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

How to Apply to an MSW Program at an HBCU

Application requirements vary by institution, but most MSW programs require the following:

Completion of a bachelor’s degree
Transcripts of all college coursework
A resume
A personal statement
Passing a background check

Additionally, some MSW programs require letters of recommendation and/or an interview with someone representing the HBCU you want to attend. Many institutions also require test scores from a standardized test like the GRE.

All HBCU graduate programs have GPA requirements as well as application deadlines. HBCUs are culturally and racially diverse and scholarships are available.

Cost of a Master’s in Social Work

The average cost of a master’s degree is about $35,700 per year.

Costs can vary depending on the type of institution.

MSW Degree Costs, 2023
	Average Master’s Degree Cost (One Year)	Average Master’s Degree Cost (Two Years)
Public	$29,720	$59,440
Private, Nonprofit	$42,700	$85,400
Private, For-Profit	$25,530	$51,060

These high costs mean you will likely incur student loan debt to earn your MSW. Even low-cost MSW programs can leave students with somewhere between $14,000 and $24,000 of debt.

Thankfully, debt forgiveness programs for social workers exist for those with federal student loan debt, including:

What to Expect in a Master’s in Social Work Program

MSW programs typically take about two years to complete.

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) requires all MSW students to complete a minimum of 900 hours of supervised field practicum. Some universities may require additional practicum hours.

Many MSW programs have concentrations if you’re interested in a more in-depth education on a specific topic.

According to a 2021 report from CSWE, the most common areas of specialized practice offered by MSW programs are:

Health / behavioral health / mental health social work
Children, youth, and families
School social work
Aging, gerontology, or multigenerational
Child welfare

You may opt for an online MSW program for greater flexibility or lower costs. Online MSW programs still require a field practicum.

Highest-Paying Social Work Jobs

A master’s degree in social work often doesn’t lead to high-paying careers, but you will likely earn a comfortable salary as a social worker.

Social work salaries vary depending on what kind of social work career you pursue. The state you live in and the facility you practice in also impact earnings.

Social Work Salaries
Career	Median Salary (May 2023)
Social workers	$58,380
Healthcare social workers	$62,940
Mental health, substance use social workers	$55,960
Child, family, school social workers	$53,940
Social workers (all other)	$63,770

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 7% job growth for social workers from 2022-2032.

Frequently Asked Questions About HBCU Social Work Programs

An MSW is a degree designation. An LMSW is a job title for someone who is a licensed social worker with an MSW — a licensed master social worker.

All LMSWs have a master’s in social work degree. However, not all those with an MSW degree go on to become an LMSW. To become a LMSW, you must meet your state’s licensing requirements.

The difference between an LMSW and an LCSW, or licensed clinical social worker, is the amount of clinical work experience required.

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed June 9, 2024.