35 Best Affordable Bachelor's Degrees in Social Work

Earning a Bachelor's Degrees in Social Work is the first step a person can take towards a long-term commitment to bettering social conditions and well-being for all.

Due to the present national social climate, social workers are needed more than ever. Working toward a proper social work certification will prepare students for the general professional field, or advanced upper education in a more specialized area of the field. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates an impressive 16 percent increase in social work employment over the next decade. Communities, families, individuals, and organizations all rely on the expertise and support of social workers in the pursuit of a better and more stable life.

Students who commit themselves to a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work develop skills - not only sociological awareness and advocacy - but also in critical thinking, research, and ethics. The field of social work is often taught interdisciplinarily as well, with many universities requiring a strong liberal arts foundation prior to before the advanced courses in the program.

Students can apply a wealth of multi-disciplinary and multi-faceted knowledge and experience to the things they learn and the perspectives gained within the following 35 Best Affordable Bachelor's Degrees in Social Work. Earning a bachelors in social work from an accredited university also means students can test into an advanced standing for a Master's of Social Work program- which only requires one extra year after their undergraduate studies! A Bachelor's in Social Work is a fulfilling and promising plan to achieve success and pride in one's work.

Selection Criteria

Best Value Schools publishes college degree rankings with the belief of how one's higher education should be, both, affordable and an investment of continued value for the students who pursue them. The staff of BVS collects data from reputable sources in order to calculate Net Price and the short and long-term value of every ranked degree. Collected data is simplified into weighted categories before scoring and then scaled through a BVS Score up to 100. The weighted categories are:

• Degree Investment Return (25%)
• Student & Alumni Evaluation (25%)
• Cost Value (25%)
• Matriculation (10%)
• Academic Success (15%)

No matter what degree you decide on, we hope our research and support has made the selection process easier. There are numerous resources BVS utilizes to collect information on degrees, and we encourage you to check them out for yourself!

Here are the 35 Best Affordable Bachelor's Degrees in Social Work!

35. New York University - New York City, NY

Bachelor of Science in Social Work

Website

New York University's Bachelor of Science in Social Work prepares students for work in social action and justice. The program focuses on skills necessary to counsel and serve people within the client's context and lived social, economic, and cultural experience. Aside from the 64 major credits and 64 credits in general liberal arts requirements, students will participate in over 600 hours of practicum experience. The field experience comes from agencies around New York City, providing students job connections and familiarity with an urban workplace. Options of field experience include opportunities with refugees, immigrant populations, and potential study abroad trips.

Net Price: $36,256

Score: 81.48

34. Cedarville University - Cedarville, OH

Bachelor of Science in Social Work

Website

Cedarville University's Bachelor of Social Work program proudly implements Christian values into their curriculum. Students will learn how to enter the field with the intention of supporting needs through a biblical worldview lens. Many graduates have gone onto work in hospitals, domestic violence prevention centers, foster care/adoption agencies, rehab facilities, and more. Those who have gone onto graduate school from the program at CU have been accepted to prestigious master's programs, at universities like Georgetown and Boston College. The internship of the BSSW program is two-fold, with 150 hours completed during the junior year, and 450 during senior year. Some students complete international internships, in Romania, Uganda, and India!

Net Price: $23,520

Score: 73.29

33. University of New Hampshire - Main Campus - Durham, NH

Bachelor of Science of Social Work

Website

University of New Hampshire's Bachelor of Social Work prepares students for the field by focusing on the creation of a professional identity, critical thinking, human rights, social, environmental, and economic justice, human behavior, and ethical research and practice. Not only will students graduate prepared for careers working with individuals, families, groups, and communities, they may continue onto graduate school. Aside from the course requirements, students will not only complete 40 hours of volunteer service, but they will also partake in a 450-hour internship their full senior year. If students look to master's programs postgrad, both at UNH and beyond, they may be accepted into advanced standing - meaning that they'll earn their Master's of Social Work in one year.

Net Price: $22,888

Score: 78.27

32. University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh, PA

Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

Website

The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work program at the University at Pittsburgh prepares students for entry-level generalist social work or the continuance of education in pursuit of a specialization area or focus. Students who are admitted to UP must further apply to the School of Social Work before declaring it as their academic major. Those who are dedicated and proven themselves academically fit for the program begin intensive, upper-level course requirements during their junior year. All students will participate in field experience, working closely to and with the support and mentorship of field instructors.

Net Price: $22,484

Score: 84.49

31. University of Tennessee - Knoxville - Knoxville, TN

Bachelor of Science in Social Work

Website

The Bachelor of Science in Social Work from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville focuses on generalist social work preparation, and its graduates have gone onto work in case management, community organizing, and more. The program is designed for students who prioritize meaningful careers and have the goal of holding social institutions more accountable for meeting human needs. All students will complete field practice through internships. The program is also offered online for students with 60 completed college credits. The BSSW also offers an Honors Program to dedicated and high-achieving students.

Net Price: $20,995

Score: 81.42

30. University of South Carolina - Columbia - Columbia, SC

Bachelor of Social Work

Website

The Bachelor of Social Work program from the University of South Carolina is dedicated to meeting the needs of its community. Exemplifying this is the program's foundation in 2009, which was catalyzed by the growing demand for social workers in South Carolina. Newly admitted students are asked to apply for upper-division classes within the BSW program, having earned at least a 2.5 GPA thus far and meet other requirements listed on their website. The degree requires a total of 122 credits, with 60 being in the major, 1-25 being in other Program Requirements, and the rest being fulfilled by university core courses and electives.

Net Price: $20,271

Score: 80.55

29. University of Oklahoma - Norman - Norman, OK

Bachelor of Science in Social Work

Website

The Bachelor of Science in Social Work program at the University of Oklahoma is a two-year program that students begin after completing 60 credits of university courses at UO, having earned a 2.5 GPA or better and completing Social Work prerequisites with a grade of "C" or better. The upper-division program will begin a student's junior year, ending with a practicum that takes place over their entire senior year. Course topics are focused on generalist practice, providing a strong foundation in the field for whatever specialization a graduate may continue in pursuit of. The program is dedicated to preparing students for work to improve the human condition and alleviate poverty and oppression.

Net Price: $20,003

Score: 76.26

28. The University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa, AL

Bachelor of Social Work

Website

The Bachelor of Social Work program at the University of Alabama is a 48-credit program, in conjunction with the university's requirements that make up the remainder of 120 credits. Students who are admitted to UA must further apply to the Professional Program, which is the last two years of the Social Work program. All applicants should have completed 19 credits of specific courses that are listed on their website, having earned a 2.25 GPA minimum and one in social work courses of at least 2.5. It's a competitive program, and students should be ready to dedicate themselves to the upper-level courses. All students will complete a four-day-per-week Field Education during their fall semester of senior year.

Net Price: $19,993

Score: 80.55

27. George Mason University - Fairfax, VA

Bachelor of Social Work

Website

George Mason University designed a Bachelor of Social Work program to prepare students for culturally informed generalist social work practice. Admission to the program, which happens subsequent to admission to GMU, requires at least 45 total credits with a minimum GPA of 2.5. There are also specific courses that must be taken before applying to the BSW program. The program readies studies to engage diversity and difference in practice, advance human rights, participate in practice-informed research and research-informed practice, challenge and engage with policy practice, and more. A field practicum is completed during one's senior year at GMU, taking up a minimum of 16 hours per week in a community agency.

Net Price: $18,629

Score: 85.41

26. University of Kansas - Lawrence, KS

Bachelor of Science in Social Work

Website

The Bachelor of Science in Social Work program at the University of Kansas provides students with the necessary foundations for generalist social work practice. The curriculum consists of 41 credits of general education requirements, 28 of electives, and 51 in Social Welfare for the program. Students will graduate having earned 120 credits in courses, and 12 credits for the field practicum required a senior year. Each student their senior year will participate in a practicum two days a week, and attend class two days a week for that entire year. It will add up to a minimum of 480 clock hours in practicum. There's also a Child Welfare Certificate Program available to those hoping to specialize in child welfare.

Net Price: $18,365

Score: 83.76

25. Ohio State University - Columbus, OH

Bachelor of Social Work

Website

The Bachelor of Social Work from Ohio State University is the oldest continuously accredited public social work program in the country. Having been around for so long, the Social Work community on-campus is knowledgable, dedicated, and consisted of prestigiously trained faculty members. Students are equipped with the tools and foundations for generalist social work practice, relevant for either post-graduate employment or post-graduate education. OSU's BASW goals push students to develop a professional identity, analyze social policy, promote well-being and challenge injustice, and more. There is also a 4+1 Year program to earn both your Bachelor's and Masters of Social Work from OSU.

Net Price: $18,402

Score: 93.74

24. University of Missouri - Columbia - Columbia, MO

Bachelor of Social Work

Website

University of Missouri's Bachelor of Social Work program prepares students for work in individual, family, and community assistance, as well as the pursuit of postgraduate education. Students will begin at UM by taking liberal art prerequisite courses and then apply to the professional Social Work program for their last two years. Applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA on all college work, and have at least 55 credits complete. During their senior year, students participate in 400 hours of field practicum. The degree will have trained students in advocacy, assessment, research, community outreach, and more.

Net Price: $17,762

Score: 80.16

23. Colorado State University - Fort Collins - Fort Collins, CO

Bachelor of Social Work

Website

Colorado State University's Bachelor of Social Work prepares students for generalist social work practice roles by implementing values of ethical standards, culturally-informed competence, and social justice. The university focuses on six practice roles in the field through their generalist preparation: Advocate, Broker, Community change agent, Counselor, Mediator, and Researcher. All students will master all six roles upon graduation. Students can take courses in an overarching topic named Economic, Environmental, and Social Justice, which consists of courses in anthropology, agriculture, economics, and more, allowing for an interdisciplinary approach in elective choice. Students will complete field practice their senior year.

Net Price: $17,191

Score: 81.85

22. University of North Carolina Wilmington - Wilmington, NC

Bachelor of Social Work

Website

The Bachelor of Social Work program at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington requires both admittances to UNC, but then also to the program once students have completed their University Studies courses and BSW Introduction courses. There's also an Honors program for students pursuing the BSW, where students will take a 499 class within the major and continue an honors-level project in the field with support from a faculty supervisor. Students will complete a Field Practicum their senior year. Core courses in the program include Issues in Diversity for Generalist Practice, Human Behavior in Social Environment, and Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations.

Net Price: $16,831

Score: 77.22

21. Michigan State University - East Lansing, MI

Bachelor of Social Work

Website

Michigan State University's Bachelor of Social Work program is open to juniors at the university who have applied to the major with 42 college credits complete, including all SW prerequisites. The school proudly focuses on social-justice oriented aspects of the field, and how they can prepare to dedicate social workers in carrying out the practices that entail those values. Part of this includes the constant priority of researching that benefits those who are most vulnerable in society. Students will take required Social Work core courses, and upon finishing those they will participate in a field practice 16 hours a week.

Net Price: $16,684

Score: 93.57

20. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Champaign, IL

Bachelor of Social Work

Website

University of Illinois' Bachelor of Social Work program prepares students for three different trajectories: entering into the generalist social work practice, pursuing a master's degree, or seeking out careers or graduate education in different yet related discourses, such as communications, corrections, education, government, health care, and others. Students are prepared for all facets of social work, such as supporting those affected by poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, mental illness, domestic violence, sexual assault, and more. Students are expected to participate in community projects and are required to take a one-semester internship. There's also an Honors program for achieving students, which encourage research projects conducted with the close support of faculty.

Net Price: $16,638

Score: 97.9

19. Florida State University - Tallahassee, FL

Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

Website

Florida State University designed it's Bachelor of Arts in Social Work program to ready students for not only employment as entry-level practitioners but also for graduate programs, like the Master of Arts in Social Work offered by FSU. Students who are in pursuit of the latter may continue to the advanced-standing program at FSU, completing their MSW in only a year after undergraduate studies. The curriculum is made up of a structured sequence of courses. Course requirements for the major take about two years, alongside 12 credits of field instruction that takes up about 512 clock hours. Entrance to the BSW at FSU is very competitive. Applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA in undergraduate credits which may or may not have been earned at FS, as well as the completion of 60 university-required credits, and the completion of social work prerequisites with at least a "B-" or better.

Net Price: $16,450

Score: 86.72

18. Rutgers University - New Brunswick - New Brunswick, NJ

Bachelor of Social Work

Website

Rutgers University's Bachelor of Social Work program provides students with foundations in the discourse, preparing them with the necessary knowledge for entry-level social work positions or further education. Admission is competitive, with applicants to the professional-track program (last two years of undergraduate) needing at least a 3.0 in prior undergraduate courses and 60 credits completed, including general education and social work prerequisites. Students are trained in racial, ethnic, and culturally-informed practices of the field, with course topics like Diversity and Oppression. During their senior year, students are asked to complete a field practicum in conjunction with Generalist Practice coursework.

Net Price: $16,016

Score: 95.21

17. University of Arkansas - Fayetteville, AR

Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

Website

The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from the University of Arkansas is a program dedicated to providing students the tools for enhancement of the human condition and alleviation of poverty and oppression. Students will graduate having been prepared for culturally-informed, empirically based, multi-system, beginning level professional practices. Upon admission to the university, students will have to formally declare Social Work as a major only after meeting with the BSW Program Director or an advisor to ensure that they will succeed in the program. Electives take up topics like Spirituality and Social Work Practices, Child Advocacy, Death and Dying, Juvenile Justice, and more. All students will partake in an internship their senior year.

Net Price: $15,966

Score: 79.4

16. University of Northern Iowa - Cedar Falls, IA

Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

Website

The University of Northern Iowa designed their Bachelor of Arts in Social Work program to prepare students for generalist social work, using a liberal arts foundation to teach skills and values necessary to succeed in the field. Students of UNI understand the systematic foundations of oppression and how to utilize social justice with professional values, ethics, empirically based knowledge, and research analysis. All students will participate in field instruction, which may take place in Iowa or out of state. After being admitted to UNI or preparing for transfer from another university, applicants to the BASW program must have at least a GPA of 2.5.

Net Price: $15,942

Score: 74.35

15. University of Georgia - Athens, GA

Bachelor of Social Work

Website

Students pursuing Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Georgia will benefit from a liberal arts foundation, preparing them for interdisciplinary focuses and lenses in social work. The courses at UG will give students fulfilling knowledge on the history of social work, diversity and oppression, theories of human development, communities and organizations, and more. They will also learn about research methodology in the field, dissecting the relationship between research and practice. Upon graduation, they'll be ready for generalist practice in social work or further higher education. All students will participate in a practicum and complete a capstone project their senior year. The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, meaning students who go onto MSW programs will qualify for advanced standing and can complete their MSW in only one year of study.

Net Price: $15,934

Score: 99.99

14. University of Wisconsin - Madison - Madison, WI

Bachelor of Social Work

Website

The Bachelor of Social Work program at the University of Wisconsin readies students for entry-level work in the field, with curriculum objectives centered around ethics, diversity, social justice, practice-informed research and research-informed practice, and more. Application to the BSW program is different than those requirements to be admitted to UW, including provisions on class-standing and college GPA. All specifications are detailed on the program's website. Students will participate in a year-long internship before graduation, with options in Community Agencies, Juvenile, and Criminal Justice, Public, and Private Child Welfare, and more. The ability to choose a focus area in an internship provides students with an experience that can help them figure out if they'd like to specialize in an area of the field.

Net Price: $15,910

Score: 96.33

13. University of Central Florida - Orlando, FL

Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

Website

The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from the University of Central Florida is an entry-level, professional program, open to students who have obtained a minimum 2.5 GPA in college courses thus far, and completed BSW prerequisites at UCF or another university. Students at UCF begin the professional program during their junior year, and complete courses to research human behavior, social environment, and social welfare. Elective topics cover an array of subjects relevant to the field, such as child welfare, addictions, and LGBTQ population studies. Every UCF is required to finish an internship through a local community organization.

Net Price: $15,341

Score: 86.67

12. University of Iowa - Iowa City, IA

Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

Website

Students in the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work program at the University of Iowa are prepared for employment in, both, public and private social services, with work dedicated to public welfare, child welfare, health and mental facilities, and more. Alongside readiness for professional work, students will have gained foundational knowledge in the field preparing them for graduate school programs. The program at UI has a strong liberal arts focus but also stresses the importance of research and analytic ways of thinking. Prospective students will need to apply with a minimum GPA of 2.5 from completing UI's BASW prerequisite courses.

Net Price: $14,845

Score: 87.82

11. University of Texas at Austin - Austin, TX

Bachelor of Social Work

Website

The Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin is a total of 122-125 credits, with 30 having been taken in coursework focused on human behavior, practice, research, and policy. All students will also have completed 480 hours of fieldwork in a social services agency. The BSW from UT begins with a liberal arts foundation to ensure students can apply relevant lenses to the discourse of social work. Students are equipped with skills in interviewing, assessment, service planning, case management, crisis intervention, advocacy, community organizing, and more. Prospective students at UT begin their education as pre-social work majors, and after meeting requirements in the liberal arts foundation at the university, may apply to the professional program in Social Work.

Net Price: $14,356

Score: 93.46

10. Stony Brook University - Stony Brook, NY

Bachelor of Social Work

Website

The Bachelor of Social Work program at Stony Brook University is designed like a Bachelor of Science program - students will spend their freshmen and sophomore year in general education courses, and then apply to the MSW program for their last two years of school. They will take advanced courses in Social Work and complete an internship, which earns them a minimum of 12 credits. Some students will participate in internships in New York City, but some may find opportunities in areas with smaller agencies, such as Long Island. Students have worked in mental health clinics, homeless shelters, government agencies, and more to finish their internship. The BSW program prepares students for the Master of Social Work program at SBU, where they can further their generalist SW education to a concentrated area, like health or trauma.

Net Price: $14,330

Score: 94.46

9. North Carolina State University - Raleigh, NC

Bachelor of Social Work

Website

Students in the Bachelor of Social Work program at North Carolina State University are prepared for the professional field with foundational knowledge in social work practice, social policy, research methodology, human behavior and diversity, and community social services. The core requirements for the BSW program account for a minimum of 34 out of 120 credits earned for the undergraduate degree. Core topics are heavily focused on social welfare, with others being Multicultural Social Work. All undergraduate students will participate in one field placement during their final semester. There are no additional requirements other than having been accepted to NCSU for students to fulfill before declaring their major in Social Work.

Net Price: $13,442

Score: 100

8. San Diego State University - San Diego, CA

Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

Website

The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work at San Diego State University is a 65-credit major with a liberal arts foundation having been earned through general education credit requirements. All students are considered to be pre-majors until they complete 21 credits of prerequisites for the upper-division Social Work major. Most courses in the BASW program are only offered once per year, and many classes have to be taken in a specific sequence. That being said, it's a program asking for dedication and seriousness from its students. All students will fulfill core requirements in the major in preparation for a field practicum, which takes 16-hours per week beginning their senior year.

Net Price: $13,363

Score: 89.68

7. Arizona State University - Tempe - Tempe, AZ

Bachelor of Social Work

Website

The Bachelor of Social Work from Arizona State University prepares students for professional work in the field post-graduation, having familiarized themselves in social policy and services, human behavior, social work practice and research, and more. ASU's program in Social Work sees the discourse as one committed to the enhancement of individual, family, and group problem-solving capacities in hopes of creating a more humane social environment for all. The program accepts first-year students, transfer, international, and readmission students with no additional requirements other than those of the university. Students will complete a year-long internship to fulfill the required Field Education, with the support and guidance of a social worker the program names Field Instructor.

Net Price: $12,947

Score: 91.29

6. University of Utah - Salt Lake City, UT

Bachelor of Social Work

Website

The Bachelor of Social Work offered by the University of Utah is designed to prepare students for work as generalist professional social workers. Students learn the foundational knowledge of liberal arts before focusing in on the discourse, then being ready to apply multidisciplinary lenses to develop inquisitive, open-minded, and critical thinking approaches the field. The generalist practice that graduates will enter the area with is one that focuses on healthy social functioning and the alleviation of poverty, oppression, and other forms of marginalization and injustice. The BSW also has two certificate programs, the Substance Use Disorder Treatment Training Certificate and the Social Justice Advocacy Certificate.

Net Price: $12,363

Score: 94.9

5. Rutgers University - Newark - Newark, NJ

Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

Website

The nationally renowned Rutgers University appears twice on our list for Most Affordable Bachelor's Degrees in Social Work because it's that good. New Jersey students who are working toward their Bachelor of Arts in Social Work at the Newark campus study similar curriculum as the Social Work program in New Brunswick, although the overall cost of receiving a Rutgers education is lower in Newark. Also, students who are admitted to Rutger's Social Work program in Newark can earn different certificate levels while completing their BASW, according to Rutger's Office Registrar staff.

Net Price: $12,020

Score: 84.65

4. University of South Florida - Main Campus - Tampa, FL

Bachelor of Social Work

Website

The Bachelor of Social Work from the University of South Florida is a program designed to prepare students for beginning level practice in generalist social work. This means that the curriculum is focused on providing a diverse range of curriculum and skill sets relevant to every aspect of social work. Study topics might include intervention methods, resource development, case management, consultation, and advocacy. Newly admitted USF students are required to apply to the Social Work program from within the university - having earned at least a 2.75 GPA while completing program prerequisites and college course requirements. Transfer students may have credits that fulfill either of these requirements. Field placements take place during students the first term of their senior year and take up about 32 hours per week for 15 weeks - a total of 460 clock hours. At this time, students typically only take one class a week.

Net Price: $11,766

Score: 75.62

3. Appalachian State University - Boone, NC

Bachelor of Social Work

Website

The Bachelor of Social Work from Appalachian State University equips students with knowledge of human development and behavior and social, economic, and cultural experiences, in preparation to become professional social workers. Students may apply to the program at ASU after having completed 30 credits of course credit with at least a 2.0 GPA. Once accepted, students will continue the required courses for the major and general education requirements. Courses that BSW students will take for general education credit must also fulfill specific requirements by the BSW program - the program wants to ensure that all students in the program have foundational knowledge in related discourses, such as human biology, anthropology, sociology, and more.

Net Price: $10,473

Score: 92.1

2. California State University - Long Beach - Long Beach, CA

Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

Website

California State University's Bachelor of Arts in Social Work program is a profoundly impacted major, meaning that more students desire to enter the program than the program has space for. When students are admitted to Cal State and indicate an interest in Social Work for their major, students are assigned a pre-major code, and can only apply for admission into the program during fall semesters. Transfer students who apply to the major and are not admitted will not still be admitted to the university, another outcome of the impaction. The highly sought-after program is made up of courses in Law, Court Decisions, and Policy Practice, Social Policy, Human Behavior, Research Methods, and more.

Net Price: $9,654

Score: 91.75

1. University of Washington - Seattle, WA

Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

Website

The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work program at the University of Washington is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, meaning that students who earn the undergraduate degree from UW can go onto accelerated master's programs in Social Work and complete them in only a year. The program at UW prepares students for this pursuit or in professional degrees in Public Health, Law, or Education, as well as professional work in the field post-graduation. The program has a strong social justice emphasis that students will utilize while developing a critical understanding of human behavior and social systems.

Net Price: $9,443

Score: 88.76