Best Online Bachelor’s in Social Work Programs for 2024
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Editor & Writer
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Editor & Writer
Contributing Writer
Editor & Writer
Contributing Reviewer
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You 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
We use trusted sources like
Peterson's Data
and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Council on Social Work Education
Cost per Credit: $292
Credits to Graduate: 120
The University of Arkansas offers an online BSW that prepares generalist social workers. The curriculum emphasizes human behavior and social problems. Available only to Arkansas residents, the program includes in-person field experiences and asynchronous courses. Students complete courses in addictions and mental health, case management, social work and diversity, and statistics for social workers.
The BSW program requires admission to the University of Arkansas. First-time applicants submit high school transcripts and ACT or SAT scores. Transfer students provide college transcripts.
Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA - 4 years
- Online
Programmatic Accreditation: Council on Social Work Education
Cost per Credit: $550
Credits to Graduate: 51
Fresno Pacific University's social worker degree completion program leads to a bachelor of arts. The fully online curriculum takes 24 months to finish and integrates the Christian faith and practice, social justice, and lifetime service.
Required courses include becoming a change agent, biblical perspective for social justice, and urban society and the welfare state. Students also complete field seminars and thesis coursework.
Admission requires two years of postsecondary experience, 60 transferable bachelor's level credits, and a minimum 2.4 GPA.
Simmons University
Boston, MA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Council on Social Work Education
Cost per Credit: $500
Credits to Graduate: 128
Simmons University's BSW online degree completion program offers synchronous classes in economic and social justice and social welfare policy. Core courses cover inequality, interviewing and documentation in human services, introduction to social research, and social work practice.
Learners complete in-person practicums in their local areas and can take electives in American politics, macroeconomics, and public health.
Applicants need at least 17 college-level credits, and the BSW program accepts up to 96 transfer credits.
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Knoxville, TN - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Council on Social Work Education
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $439
Out-of-State | $514
Credits to Graduate: 60
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville's online social work degree program is designed for transfer students with associate degrees. The program offers both synchronous and asynchronous course delivery. Distance learners work with a field coordinator to find local in-person practicum placements.
The five-semester curriculum includes electives in crisis intervention and suicidology, forensics social work, military and veteran population, and trauma. Applicants must complete introductions to social work and social welfare classes before enrollment.
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Council on Social Work Education
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $462
Out-of-State | $509-$658
Credits to Graduate: 120
The University of North Dakota online bachelor of science in social work focuses on helping people and communities in rural areas. Course topics include generalist social work practice, human behavior and the social environment, social policy, and social work research. Graduates qualify to take the licensing exam in any state that credentials BSWs.
Distance learners attend synchronous lectures and complete on-site field education at approved sites in their communities. The program requires occasional campus attendance for interactive, hands-on activities.
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Council on Social Work Education
Cost per Credit: $385
Credits to Graduate: 120
The BSW at the University of Alabama features online classes and in-person field education within 60 miles of students' homes. Lower division courses introduce social work theory, the history of social work in the U.S., and oppression and social injustice issues. Upper division courses focus on social work practice.
Admission requires completion of 54 credits, a 2.25 GPA, and a 2.5 GPA in social work courses. Admitted students attend a one-day orientation on the Tuscaloosa campus.
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Council on Social Work Education
Cost per Credit: $610
Credits to Graduate: 120
Temple University's bachelor of social work program prepares graduates to think critically about human development, social interactions, and advocacy. Students take courses covering topics like social research and institutional racism. They must also complete 400 hours of fieldwork at a relevant social services organization.
The online BSW completion option is especially suitable for working professionals and community college grads. This track features 60 credits of asynchronous online coursework and can be completed on a part-time or full-time basis. Temple University is a test-optional school, and prospective students can apply by submitting the Common Application.
Maryville University of Saint Louis
Saint Louis, MO - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Council on Social Work Education
Cost per Credit: $525
Credits to Graduate: 128
The online bachelor of social work at Maryville University prepares graduates to pursue a master's degree or apply for entry-level social work jobs. Coursework is delivered entirely online, and students take classes like financial social work; cultural competency; and social, economic, and environmental justice. The program also includes a practicum component.
To apply, first-year applicants must hold a minimum 2.5 GPA, while transfer students need a GPA of at least 2.0. However, applicants do not need to submit standardized test scores or pay an application fee.
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, HI - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Council on Social Work Education
Cost per Credit: $471
Credits to Graduate: 59
The University of Hawaii at Manoa's BSW program offers a distance education option for Hawaii residents who complete the general education core requirements. Additional admission requirements include a 2.5 GPA, evidence of a commitment to social work through work or volunteering, three references, and a resume.
The curriculum features asynchronous coursework and requires supervised field education at community organizations. Graduates are eligible to take the bachelor's-level exam to become licensed in Hawaii.
Misericordia University
Dallas, PA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Council on Social Work Education
Cost per Credit: $460
Credits to Graduate: 121
Misericordia University's BSW program offers an accelerated, two-year path to a social work degree. Graduates become eligible for licensure in Pennsylvania and other states. They may also qualify for advanced standing admission to master of social work programs.
The curriculum blends online and in-person learning. Students can enroll for prerequisite, core, and elective courses at any time before joining a fall cohort for required social work classes. Learners can complete their fieldwork hours on weekends and in the evenings.
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.
Ranking Methodology Summary
To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:
- Affordability (30%)
- Student outcomes (30%)
- Reputation (20%)
- Diversity and social mobility (20%)
In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.
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 2021 was $9,375 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)
Do online social work degrees require in-person components?
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.
Is a bachelor's in social work sufficient to become a social worker?
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.
Is an online bachelor's in social work worth it?
An online BSW offers a convenient and flexible way to earn your undergraduate degree, preparing you to enter the workforce directly after completing your studies. A BSW degree also qualifies you for advanced standing admission to MSW programs.
Are online social work degrees respected?
Online and on-campus BSW programs that are CSWE accredited meet the same high academic standards. Online and in-person BSW programs offer the same curriculum and are often taught by the same full-time faculty. Employers and graduate schools do not distinguish between candidates with online degrees and those who attended in-person programs.
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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 November 22, 2023.
