Colorado · Verified October 2026
Social Work Programs in Colorado
Where Can You Earn a BSW in Colorado, and Can You Be Licensed With It?
5 schools in Colorado offer a CSWE bachelor of social work, including Colorado Mesa University, Colorado State University Pueblo and Colorado State University-Fort Collins. 3 options are online. In-state tuition and fees at Colorado public universities start at $9,401 a year (2023-24). Colorado licenses social workers only from the master's level.
- 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
- MSW to be licensed hereColorado licenses social workers from the master's level
- CSWE BSW schools
- 5
- BSW options
- 6
- online options
- 3
- lowest public in-state tuition, 2023-24
- $9,401
- BSW license
- None
Does Colorado License BSW Graduates?
No: Colorado licenses social workers from the MSW
The first license is the Licensed Social Worker (LSW), with the none exam. A CSWE BSW shortens the MSW to about a year through advanced standing.
From Colorado State Board of Social Work Examiners (Division of Professions and Occupations, DORA), reviewed 2026-09-30. Colorado board of social work · BSW license checker
Colorado BSW Schools Compared
| School | Formats | CSWE | Tuition and fees, 2023-24 | Transfer or completion | Own MSW with advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado State University PuebloPueblo · Public | Campus | CSWE | $9,401$17,242 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| Colorado Mesa UniversityGrand Junction · Public | Campus | CSWE | $9,712$24,312 out-of-state | Yes | |
| University of Colorado Colorado SpringsColorado Springs · Public | Campus, Online, Hybrid | CSWE | $9,712$20,492 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| Metropolitan State University of DenverDenver · Public | Online, Hybrid, Campus | CSWE | $10,780$29,503 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort Collins · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $12,896$33,751 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
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 Colorado
6 programs in Colorado
- FormatOnline, Hybrid, On campus400-hour practicumTuition$10,780per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work at Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Colorado State University-Fort Collins school profile · Fort CollinsFormatOn campus400-hour practicumTuition$12,896per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWESocial Work B.S.W. (CSU Online) at Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Colorado State University-Fort Collins school profile · Fort CollinsFormatOnline400-hour practicumTuition$490per creditAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus448-hour practicumTuition$432per credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work at University of Colorado Colorado Springs
University of Colorado Colorado Springs school profile · Colorado SpringsFormatOn campus, Online, HybridTuition$9,712per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work at Colorado Mesa University
Colorado Mesa University school profile · Grand JunctionFormatOn campus450-hour practicumTuition$7,968per year · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
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 Colorado
By the federal figures for 2023-24, tuition and fees at Colorado's BSW schools run from $9,401 at Colorado State University Pueblo to $12,896 at Colorado State University-Fort Collins; the Colorado median is $9,712, against $13,212 nationally. Public universities charge residents less: 5 of 5 schools here are public.
| School | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado State University Pueblo tuitionPublic | $9,401 | $17,242 |
| Colorado Mesa University tuitionPublic | $9,712 | $24,312 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs tuitionPublic | $9,712 | $20,492 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver tuitionPublic | $10,780 | $29,503 |
| Colorado State University-Fort Collins tuitionPublic | $12,896 | $33,751 |
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 Colorado
5 Colorado schools also run an MSW that admits BSW graduates with advanced standing, usually about a year of study instead of two: Colorado Mesa University, Colorado State University Pueblo, Colorado State University-Fort Collins, Metropolitan State University of Denver and University of Colorado Colorado Springs. 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 Colorado
By BSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), Metropolitan State University of Denver has Colorado's largest program, followed by Colorado State University-Fort Collins and Colorado State University Pueblo. Size tells you how many classmates and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
Online BSW Options for Colorado Residents
Beyond Colorado's own schools, 129 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Colorado residents and arrange your field practicum in Colorado.
| 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 Colorado
| Occupation | Colorado median | U.S. median | Jobs in Colorado |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $63,720 | $59,550 | 8,200 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $47,690 | $45,930 | 5,410 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $71,680 | $66,270 | 2,540 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $97,440 | $80,390 | 2,800 |
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.
Social Work Programs Near Colorado Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many BSW Programs Are in Colorado?
5 schools in Colorado run a BSW that CSWE lists as accredited or in candidacy, 6 options in all, each checked on the school's own site in October 2026.
Can You Be Licensed With a BSW in Colorado?
No. Colorado licenses social workers from the master's level (the LSW), so you'd need an MSW to be licensed. Many BSW jobs, such as case management and child welfare roles, don't require a license; a CSWE BSW also shortens the MSW through advanced standing.
Can Colorado Residents Earn a BSW Online?
Yes. 3 Colorado options are offered online, and 129 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states; confirm each school can enroll Colorado residents and place you in a field practicum in Colorado. Online BSW programs.
What Is the Most Affordable BSW in Colorado?
By federal figures for 2023-24, the lowest in-state tuition and fees at a Colorado public university with a CSWE BSW are at Colorado State University Pueblo ($9,401), Colorado Mesa University ($9,712) and University of Colorado Colorado Springs ($9,712). Grants lower most students' price further.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 5 Colorado schools listed, reviewed October 2026
- Colorado State Board of Social Work Examiners (Division of Professions and Occupations, DORA)
- 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