Then stop scouring the Internet for “Most Affordable Online Social Work Major” or “Cheapest Online Social Work Major.” You’ve found all the information you need right here! We also have the Most Affordable Online Schools as well!
Top 10 Most Affordable Bachelors in Social Work
| Rank | School | Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northern Arizona University | $6,547 |
| 2 | Northwestern Mississippi Community College | $6,547 |
| 3 | University of Iowa | $8,104 |
| 4 | Metropolitan State University of Denver | $8,416 |
| 5 | University of Alaska at Fairbanks | $8,741 |
| 6 | Northwestern State University of Louisiana | $9,290 |
| 7 | Eastern New Mexico University | $10,562 |
| 8 | Berscia University | $11,165 |
| 9 | Washburn University | $11,303 |
| 10 | Western New Mexico University | $11,332 |
What kind of Affordable Online Social Work degree should you get?
Let College Choice help narrow the search by perusing our easy-to-discern rankings page focused on cheap social work degrees that you can receive online.
Getting an online degree provides students with flexible, affordable options to begin the process of becoming a fully certified social worker.
While pursuing the cheapest online Bachelor’s in Social Work, you’ll be able to tend to your familial, social, and personal obligations with minimal disruption to your professional pursuits at college.
Take a look below and let College Choice guide you as you make one of the biggest, most exciting decisions you’ve ever made about going back to school.
How much money can you make with an Online Social Work degree?
Healing hearts and minds deserves more thanks than money. But money certainly helps! Social workers earn a modest salary for the work they do. According to the Bureau for Labor Statistics, the typical annual income for a social worker ranges from $48k to $79k.
No surprise, this job isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. As our world becomes more and more complex, the demand for social workers is on the rise. In fact, between now at 2026, the field is expecting an impressive 16 percent increase in the job market.
What can you do with an Online Social Work degree?
You have a number of options available to you once you complete your bachelor’s degree in social work. You could jump right into the job market and find a direct-service job in the field. This might look like a caseworker or a mental health assistant or aide.
Or, you could continue your education and earn a master’s degree in social work. This will usually take another two to three years of school, but it would open up your options. You could get a job as a clinical social worker. Most social workers find meaningful careers in the following sectors:
- Hospitals
- Government
- Schools
- Family Services
What are the Most Affordable Online Social Work degrees?
You’re on the path to becoming a social worker, one of the most challenging and rewarding careers out there. College Choice has done some of the heavy lifting for you and narrowed your search to only the best online programs that also prioritize affordability.
Our methodology prioritizes the lowest tuition costs above all. We’ve also considered all the add-on fees such as per credit costs, technology fees, and online service fees. Our individual profiles provide the basics on what kind of tuition costs to expect, the basic outline of the curriculum, and any highlights of the program.
A huge adventure awaits you! Read on!
2018 Ranking
See our rankings methodology page.
1
Northern Arizona University
Tuition: $6,547
Program Website
Overview
Northern Arizona University has a cheap online social work degree that is as rigorous as it is affordable. The school has some of the lowest tuition rates for the online Bachelor of Social Work. NAU is regionally accredited by the NCACS THLC. The program is independently accredited by the CSWE.
Features
This program requires 120 total credit hours plus fieldwork experience in order for a student to apply for graduation. While the degree is rigorous, students rest easy knowing that their online education is always right at their fingertips. It’s also important to note that NAU confers a cheap bachelors in social work completely online. Classes include:
- Crisis Intervention
- Human Behavior and the Social Environment
- Race and Ethnic Relations
- Human Fundamentals of Social Work Practice
Notables
NAU students have the benefit of partaking in tuition benefits and financial aid, something that is not offered at every other school. At this school, out-of-state students who are earning a degree entirely online are eligible for the World Wide University tuition program. This reduces their tuition to just one and a half more than in-state tuition. There is also reduced tuition rates for active duty military and veterans.
2
Northwest Mississippi Community College
Tuition: $6,547
Program Website
Overview
Northwest Mississippi Community College offers students the chance to get a cheap online Bachelors in Social Work, all while continuing to live their busy lives. This university is regionally accredited by the SACS COC.
Features
The Bachelor of Social Work at NMCUU is one of the only undergraduate online programs of its kind from a community college. It requires 120 credit hours of coursework and 400 clock hours of a fieldwork assignment. This degree is not accredited by the CSWE and therefore students will not be eligible to sit for the licensure exam or receive Advanced Standing at the graduate level. A sampling of coursework includes:
- Social Work: A Helping Profession
- Human Growth and Development
- Social Problems
Notables
NMCUU is a great place to save money on a degree because the school doesn’t charge by the credit hour. Instead, the school sets a flat rate for the entire semester, allowing students to choose how many courses they’d like to take. In-state students pay $1,400 per semester and out-of-state students pay $2,600 per semester. Additional lab fees may apply.
3
University of Iowa
Tuition: $8,104
Program Website
Overview
The University of Iowa offers the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, an incredible program designed to help students learn more about general social work. This degree is also available wholly online, allowing students from all over the country to participate in this renown program. The university is regionally accredited by the NCACS THLC. The program is further accredited by the CSWE.
Features
The sequenced BASW at UI requires 120 credit hours of coursework, most of which comes straight from the social work major. The school also requires that students fulfill 500 clock hours of a fieldwork placement in order to graduate. Students who successfully complete this degree are eligible for Advanced Standing in graduate programs. Here’s a look at a few classes:
- Human Behavior in the Social Environment
- Discrimination, Oppression, Diversity
- Social Welfare Policy and Practice
Notables
This cheap Bachelors in Social Work is a great value for all students, many of whom are looking for an affordable way to get their degree. Students at UI pay $418.50 per credit hour, regardless of residency. This covers the technology and online distance fee, but other fees may apply. The school also offers financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, and work-study.
4
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Tuition: $8,416
Program Website
Overview
The Metropolitan State University of Denver has a suite of cheap online social work degrees aimed at providing this profession with highly educated social workers. This is a new online option for the school, and already the demand for more positions in the Bachelor of Science in Social Work is growing. This university is regionally accredited by the NCACS THLC.
Features
This degree requires 120 credit hours of coursework, 51 of which will come straight from the major. Students will also be required to take on a field placement during their junior and senior years that amounts to a part-time job, or 16 hours a week. Students will keep in mind that this school is not regionally accredited by the CSWE and so students will not receive Advanced Standing for graduate work. Classes include:
- Privilege, Oppression, & Power
- Human Behavior & the Social Environment
- Philosophy of Social Work
Notables
At MSUD, tuition is reasonable, especially for online courses. All students just pay a flat rate of $292.05 per credit hour. This includes the online education fee and the technology fee, but some courses may require an additional lab and professional fees. Financial aid is available at MSUD. There are various grants and scholarships that are available to students who wish to work with rural communities or in underserved areas.
5
University of Alaska at Fairbanks
Tuition: $8,741
Program Website
Overview
The University of Alaska at Fairbanks has one of the most intriguing online social work degrees for undergraduates. The Bachelor of Social Work at this school was created specifically for rural Alaskans and reflects the current challenges and issues of living in the state. This university is regionally accredited by the NWCCU. The program is also accredited by the CSWE.
Features
Like with all other BSW programs, the UA Fairbanks program requires 120 credit hours of social work coursework as well as a 450 clock practicum. Because this degree focuses so much on Alaskan social work, this program is currently only open to state residents with no exceptions. The curriculum covers the following elements:
- Liberal Arts Core
- Foundation in the Behavioral Sciences
- Electives in Social Policy and Services
- Practice Methods and Field Instruction
Notables
UA of Fairbanks is a cheap online Bachelors in Social Work. Tuition is categorized into three tiers instead of by residency status. At this school, undergraduate online students all pay the same price. There are technology and facilities fees, which amount to $11 per credit as well as an eLearning distance fee, which is $25 per credit. UA of Fairbanks offers financial aid for all of its students, including online students.
6
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Tuition: $9,290
Program Website
Overview
The Northwestern State University of Louisiana offers students a pathway to getting a cheap online Bachelors in Social Work. This degree is perfect for students who want to become generalist social workers that can find placement anywhere. This university is regionally accredited by the SACS COC. The BSW program is independently and specially credited by the CSWE.
Features
The BSW program at NSULA requires a minimum of 120 credit hours for graduation, plus a 450-clock-hour practicum to take place during the student’s final year. Students who graduate from this program can go into a variety of social work field practices including:
- Corrections
- Military Social Work
- Aging
- Child Welfare
Notables
Getting a cheap Bachelors in Social Work is easy with this university. All students, regardless of their state of residence, pay $375 per credit hour up to 12 hours, and then just $100 per credit after that. Students can also lower the cost of their tuition by applying for financial in the form of scholarships or grants.
7
Eastern New Mexico University
Tuition: $10,562
Program Website
Overview
At Eastern New Mexico University, cheap online social work degrees are just one of the things the school is known for. It’s also known for being one of the best social work programs, as well as being one of the most affordable, in the country. This school is regionally accredited by the NCACS THLC. The social work program is independently accredited by the CSWE.
Features
The Bachelor in Social Work at ENMU requires 120 credit hours of coursework along with the 480 minimum clock hours needed for the fieldwork practicum requirement. Students will find that this generalist social work degree will open the door towards getting licensed in the state as well as moving into graduate work with Advanced Standing. Coursework includes:
- Working with Aging Populations
- Public Child Welfare
- Southwest Peoples and Culture
- Chemical Dependency: Significance and Consequences
Notables
The cost of an education at ENMU is reasonable, especially for a cheap bachelors in social work. In-state students pay $239.59 per credit hour while out-of-state students pay $480.21 per credit hour. This university believes that education shouldn’t be priced out of anyone’s range, which is why it goes out of its way to offer a list of scholarships categorized by merit-based and need-based qualifications. Work-study opportunities are also available here.
8
Brescia University
Tuition: $11,165
Program Website
Overview
Brescia University offers one of the best online Bachelor of Social Work degrees in the country. This comprehensive program is perfect for just about everybody and can fit into any budget, all while allowing a student to study from home. This university is regionally accredited by the SACS COC. The program is independently accredited by the CSWE.
Features
This program, like most other BSW programs, requires a minimum total of 120 credit hours in order to complete this degree. This is a completion degree, however, and students are required to transfer in 45 credit hours from another regionally accredited institution. There is also a 400 clock hour practicum that’s required for graduation. A sampling of courses includes:
- Social Issues with Diversity
- Ethical Considerations in Social Work
- Social Welfare Policy
- Social Work and Aging
Notables
Undergraduates will be happy to hear that everyone in the online programs at Brescia pay the same tuition fee, no matter their residency status in Kentucky. There are no reduced tuition rates at this school, and additional technology and online course fees apply. From scholarships to grants to loans, Brescia will help every student find a way to pay for their education.
9
Washburn University
Tuition: $11,303
Program Website
Overview
Washburn University is an excellent place to get cheap online social work degrees. The school confers the online Bachelor of Social Work, the first step in a student’s journey towards becoming an LCSW and a valued member of the social work community. The university is regionally accredited by the NCACS THLC, and the BSW program has full accreditation from the CSWE.
Features
The BSW from Washburn requires 120 total credit hours, of which 51 must come from the Social. Students will also be required to fulfill a 450 clock hour field practicum requirement. Once they graduate, students will be eligible to sit for the LSW exam in their state or can move into a graduate program in Advanced Standing. Courses include:
- Social Policy and Programs
- Micro Social Work Practice
- Quantitative Social Work Research
Notables
This cheap bachelors in social work are made even more affordable by the fact that Washburn believes all online students should pay the same low rate. That means every undergraduate student in the major pays just $352 per credit hour. Students are also given several chances to apply for financial aid as well as private scholarships and grants. Work-study options are also available.
10
Western New Mexico University
Tuition: $11,332
Program Website
Overview
Western New Mexico University offers a Bachelors of Social Work entirely online that will fit everyone’s budget. This program was designed to be rigorous and comprehensive, preparing students for the exciting yet challenging career of a social worker. This university is regionally accredited by the NCACS THLC. The BSW program holds further accreditation by the CSWE.
Features
In order to apply for graduation, students must complete the 120 total credit hours of coursework plus the 450 clock hours of field placement experience. With a CSWE-accredited BSW, students will be allowed to sit for state licensure. The degree will also give a student Advanced Standing if they decide to go to graduate school. Here’s a look at a few courses:
- Diversity in Social Work Practice
- Social Work Research Methods
- Social Work with the Homeless
- Disabilities and Empowerment
Notables
The cost of attending WMNU is quite reasonable, especially for a cheap online bachelors in social work. In-state students pay $246.08 per credit hour as well as a $30 per credit hour online fee. Out-of-state students pay $285.04 per credit hour along with the online fee. Scholarships are an incredible way to help pay for school, and this university has a list of about ten that explain the scholarships in detail.