Best Online Bachelor’s in Social Work Programs of 2025

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.

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.

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.

Some other popular careers for social work majors include:

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.

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.

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.