Arkansas · Verified October 2026
Social Work Programs in Arkansas
Where Can You Earn a BSW in Arkansas, and Can You Be Licensed With It?
10 schools in Arkansas offer a CSWE bachelor of social work, including Arkansas State University, Harding University and Henderson State University. 1 option is online. In-state tuition and fees at Arkansas public universities start at $6,906 a year (2023-24). Arkansas licenses BSW graduates as the Licensed Social Worker (LSW).
- First years: general education and intro coursesPsychology, sociology, human biology, intro to social work
- Apply to the social work majorUsually in the second year, with a GPA minimum
- Senior field practicumAt least 400 supervised hours in an agency
- License: LSW (ASWB Bachelors)Or an MSW in about a year with advanced standing
- CSWE BSW schools
- 10
- BSW options
- 10
- online options
- 1
- lowest public in-state tuition, 2023-24
- $6,906
- BSW license
- LSW
Does Arkansas License BSW Graduates?
Yes: the Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
- License
- Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
- Degree required
- Bachelor's degree in social work from a program accredited by CSWE (or the Canadian Association for Social Work Education)
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
From Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board (Arkansas Department of Health), reviewed 2026-09-30. Arkansas board of social work · BSW license checker
Arkansas BSW Schools Compared
| School | Formats | CSWE | Tuition and fees, 2023-24 | Transfer or completion | Own MSW with advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas-Fort SmithFort Smith · Public | Campus | CSWE | $6,906$13,770 out-of-state | ||
| Arkansas State UniversityJonesboro · Public | Campus | CSWE | $7,754$13,826 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| University of Arkansas at Little RockLittle Rock · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $8,455$19,210 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| University of Arkansas at MonticelloMonticello · Public | Campus | CSWE | $8,868$14,718 out-of-state | ||
| University of Arkansas at Pine BluffPine Bluff · Public | Campus | CSWE | $9,019$17,029 out-of-state | ||
| University of ArkansasFayetteville · Public | Campus | CSWE | $9,748$28,772 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Southern Arkansas UniversityMagnolia · Public | Hybrid, Campus | CSWE | $9,820$15,400 out-of-state | ||
| Philander Smith UniversityLittle Rock · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $13,014 | ||
| Harding UniversitySearcy · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $24,888 | ||
| Henderson State UniversityArkadelphia · Public | Campus | Candidacy | $7,885$9,882 out-of-state |
Programs from each school's own pages, reviewed October 2026; CSWE status from CSWE's directory. Tuition and fees are the federal figures for a full-time undergraduate year, 2023-24 (NCES College Navigator).
Every BSW Program in Arkansas
10 programs in Arkansas
Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) at University of Arkansas at Little Rock
University of Arkansas at Little Rock school profile · Little RockFormatOn campus, OnlineTuition$234per credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work (BSW) at University of Arkansas
University of Arkansas school profile · FayettevilleFormatOn campusTuition$9,748per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith school profile · Fort SmithFormatOn campusTuition$6,906per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work at Arkansas State University
Arkansas State University school profile · JonesboroFormatOn campusTuition$7,754per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$24,888per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Social Work, B.A. at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff school profile · Pine BluffFormatOn campusTuition$9,019per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Southern Arkansas University
Southern Arkansas University school profile · MagnoliaFormatHybrid, On campusTuition$9,820per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Science in Social Work at Henderson State University
Henderson State University school profile · ArkadelphiaFormatOn campusTuition$7,885per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCandidacySocial Work (Bachelor's) at Philander Smith University
Philander Smith University school profile · Little RockFormatOn campusTuition$5,902per termAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) at University of Arkansas at Monticello
University of Arkansas at Monticello school profile · MonticelloFormatOn campusTuition$8,868per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE
No programs match these filters.
Program facts come from each school's own pages, reviewed October 2026. Tuition is the program's own published rate where the school states one; otherwise it's the school's federal undergraduate tuition and fees for a full-time year, 2023-24 (in-state at public universities), from NCES College Navigator. "Resident rate" means the school charges nonresidents more. CSWE status comes from CSWE's directory of accredited programs.
What a BSW Costs in Arkansas
By the federal figures for 2023-24, tuition and fees at Arkansas's BSW schools run from $6,906 at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith to $24,888 at Harding University; the Arkansas median is $8,868, against $13,212 nationally. Public universities charge residents less: 8 of 10 schools here are public.
| School | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith tuitionPublic | $6,906 | $13,770 |
| Arkansas State University tuitionPublic | $7,754 | $13,826 |
| Henderson State University tuitionPublic | $7,885 | $9,882 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock tuitionPublic | $8,455 | $19,210 |
| University of Arkansas at Monticello tuitionPublic | $8,868 | $14,718 |
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff tuitionPublic | $9,019 | $17,029 |
| University of Arkansas tuitionPublic | $9,748 | $28,772 |
| Southern Arkansas University tuitionPublic | $9,820 | $15,400 |
| Philander Smith University tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $13,014 | $13,014 |
| Harding University tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $24,888 | $24,888 |
Full-time undergraduate tuition and required fees, 2023-24 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS). Compare schools side by side with the BSW cost comparison.
From a BSW to an MSW in Arkansas
3 Arkansas schools also run an MSW that admits BSW graduates with advanced standing, usually about a year of study instead of two: Arkansas State University, University of Arkansas and University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Advanced standing is open to graduates of any CSWE BSW, so you can also move to another school.
How BSW-to-MSW advanced standing works · Find a same-school MSW route
Largest BSW Programs in Arkansas
By BSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), University of Arkansas at Little Rock has Arkansas's largest program, followed by University of Arkansas and University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. Size tells you how many classmates and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
Online BSW Options for Arkansas Residents
Beyond Arkansas's own schools, 131 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Arkansas residents and arrange your field practicum in Arkansas.
| Lowest published per-credit rates, same for every state | Per credit |
|---|---|
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro: Bachillerato en Artes con Concentración en Trabajo Social (BATS)Bachillerato en Artes con Concentración en Trabajo Social (BATS) · Puerto Rico | $207 |
| University of the Cumberlands: Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSW), OnlineBachelor of Science in Social Work (BSW), Online · Kentucky | $220 |
| Avila University: Bachelor of Social Work OnlineBachelor of Social Work Online · Missouri | $300 |
| Charter Oak State College: Bachelor of Science in Social WorkBachelor of Science in Social Work · Connecticut | $329 |
| Briar Cliff University: Bachelor of Social Work (online degree completion)Bachelor of Social Work (online degree completion) · Iowa | $340 |
| Capella University: Bachelor of Social WorkBachelor of Social Work · Minnesota | $350 |
Compare every option on the online BSW programs page, or let the program matcher rank them for you.
Pay for BSW Jobs in Arkansas
| Occupation | Arkansas median | U.S. median | Jobs in Arkansas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $43,330 | $59,550 | 1,150 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $36,770 | $45,930 | 3,530 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $51,180 | $66,270 | 850 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $56,100 | $80,390 | 2,850 |
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. A high median on few jobs describes a small market. What you can do with a BSW.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many BSW Programs Are in Arkansas?
10 schools in Arkansas run a BSW that CSWE lists as accredited or in candidacy, 10 options in all, each checked on the school's own site in October 2026.
Can You Be Licensed With a BSW in Arkansas?
Yes. Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board (Arkansas Department of Health) issues the Licensed Social Worker (LSW), which requires the ASWB Bachelors exam. It's a license for generalist practice; independent clinical practice needs an MSW, supervised experience and a clinical license.
Can Arkansas Residents Earn a BSW Online?
Yes. 1 Arkansas option is offered online, and 131 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states; confirm each school can enroll Arkansas residents and place you in a field practicum in Arkansas. Online BSW programs.
What Is the Most Affordable BSW in Arkansas?
By federal figures for 2023-24, the lowest in-state tuition and fees at a Arkansas public university with a CSWE BSW are at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith ($6,906), Arkansas State University ($7,754) and Henderson State University ($7,885). Grants lower most students' price further.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 10 Arkansas schools listed, reviewed October 2026
- Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board (Arkansas Department of Health)
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), directory of accredited programs
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS: 2022-23 completions and 2023-24 tuition and fees
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025