CSWE-Accredited BSW Program Directory
Bachelor of Social Work Programs Directory
BestBSWPrograms is the directory of every CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work program in the United States, ranked and compared on the data that matters: accreditation longevity, delivery format, tuition, and research standing.
538
CSWE-accredited programs
52
States and territories covered
$46K-$68K
Median BSW-career pay
+7%
Projected job growth, 2024 to 2034
Program data from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs. Wage and employment data from BLS OEWS May 2025 and the Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Before you apply
What to weigh when choosing a BSW program
CSWE accreditation
A CSWE-accredited BSW is required to sit for a bachelor-level social work license and to qualify for Advanced Standing MSW admission. Every program here is verified against the official CSWE directory.
How we verify and rank →Bachelor-level licensure
In 41 states a CSWE-accredited BSW lets you sit for an entry-level license, usually the LBSW, after passing the ASWB Bachelors exam. Rules vary by state.
BSW licenses by state →Cost and delivery
Programs differ widely on online versus on-campus delivery, full-time and part-time options, and tuition. Weigh them side by side before you apply.
Compare programs →The directory
538 accredited BSW programs
Filter the full directory by delivery format, schedule, research tier, and tuition.
By delivery format
- Online 12 · 2%
- Hybrid 137 · 25%
- On-campus 389 · 72%
149 programs offer at least one online option.
By research tier and breadth
41
at R1 research universities
26
at R2 research universities
146
offer an embedded certificate
53
offer a dual-degree path
Prestige uses each institution's 2025 Carnegie research classification.
By state
Find CSWE-accredited BSW programs in your state
Licensure rules, tuition, and wages are state-specific. Start with your state. Includes DC and Puerto Rico.
Start here
BSW program rankings and comparison tools
Ranking
Best BSW Programs
The top CSWE-accredited programs nationally, scored on a five-factor model.
Explore →Ranking
Best Online BSW
The online-eligible programs ranked on delivery, flexibility, and accreditation.
Explore →Tool
Compare Programs
Filter all 538 programs and compare up to five side by side.
Explore →Tool
Compare Salaries
Median pay, hourly wages, and percentiles across every BSW career.
Explore →Reference
Credentials and Licensure
Bachelor-level licenses by state and the ASWB Bachelors exam.
Explore →Reference
Our Methodology
Exactly how each program is scored, and where every data point comes from.
Explore →Where a BSW leads
Social work careers and pay for BSW graduates
National median wages for the front-line careers a CSWE-accredited BSW opens up.
| Career | Median salary | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Medical or Hospital Social Worker | $67,880 | Salary / Career |
| Behavioral-Health and Substance-Use Support Specialist | $60,280 | Salary / Career |
| Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) | $59,550 | Salary / Career |
| School Social Worker | $59,550 | Salary / Career |
| Child, Family, and Child-Welfare Caseworker | $59,550 | Salary / Career |
| Case Manager and Care Coordinator | $45,930 | Salary / Career |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), national figures. Several BSW roles share a BLS occupation.
After the degree
Licensure and the BSW pathway
A BSW is the entry credential for social work. In most states you can earn the LBSW after passing the ASWB Bachelors exam, then advance to the master's (LMSW) and clinical (LCSW) levels. A CSWE-accredited BSW also qualifies you for Advanced Standing MSW admission, which can shorten a master's to about a year.
Explore credentials-
LBSW
The entry-level bachelor license, a protected title in the 41 states that license at this level.
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ASWB Bachelors exam
The national entry-level licensing exam, taken after a CSWE-accredited BSW.
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Advanced Standing
A BSW can shorten an MSW to about a year for those pursuing clinical practice.
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BSW careers
The front-line roles a BSW prepares you for, with BLS pay and outlook.
About this data
Accreditation status and program structure come directly from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs. Prestige uses the 2025 Carnegie Classifications. Wage and employment figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine, with licensure data from the ASWB. Rankings follow a published, five-factor model, applied the same way to every program. See our methodology for the full breakdown.