Hawaii · Verified October 2026
Social Work Programs in Hawaii
Where Can You Earn a BSW in Hawaii, and Can You Be Licensed With It?
3 schools in Hawaii offer a CSWE bachelor of social work, including Brigham Young University-Hawaii, Hawaii Pacific University and University of Hawaii at Manoa. 1 option is online. In-state tuition and fees at Hawaii public universities start at $12,186 a year (2023-24). Hawaii licenses BSW graduates as the Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW).
- 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: LBSW (ASWB Bachelors)Or an MSW in about a year with advanced standing
- CSWE BSW schools
- 3
- BSW options
- 3
- online options
- 1
- lowest public in-state tuition, 2023-24
- $12,186
- BSW license
- LBSW
Does Hawaii License BSW Graduates?
Yes: the Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW)
- License
- Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW)
- Degree required
- Bachelor's degree in a social work program accredited by, or deemed equivalent to an accredited program by, CSWE
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
From Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, Social Worker Program, reviewed 2026-09-30. Hawaii board of social work · BSW license checker
Hawaii BSW Schools Compared
| School | Formats | CSWE | Tuition and fees, 2023-24 | Transfer or completion | Own MSW with advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brigham Young University-HawaiiLaie · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $6,438 | ||
| University of Hawaii at ManoaHonolulu · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $12,186$34,218 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| Hawaii Pacific UniversityHonolulu · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $33,020 | 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 Hawaii
3 programs in Hawaii
Bachelor of Social Work at University of Hawaii at Manoa
University of Hawaii at Manoa school profile · HonoluluFormatOn campus, OnlineTuition$5,880per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$3,516per termAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work at Hawaii Pacific University
Hawaii Pacific University school profile · HonoluluFormatOn campusTuition$37,536per yearAccreditationCSWE
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 Hawaii
By the federal figures for 2023-24, tuition and fees at Hawaii's BSW schools run from $6,438 at Brigham Young University-Hawaii to $33,020 at Hawaii Pacific University; the Hawaii median is $12,186, against $13,212 nationally. Public universities charge residents less: 1 of 3 schools here are public.
| School | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Brigham Young University-Hawaii tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $6,438 | $6,438 |
| University of Hawaii at Manoa tuitionPublic | $12,186 | $34,218 |
| Hawaii Pacific University tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $33,020 | $33,020 |
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 Hawaii
2 Hawaii schools also run an MSW that admits BSW graduates with advanced standing, usually about a year of study instead of two: Hawaii Pacific University and University of Hawaii at Manoa. 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 Hawaii
By BSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), University of Hawaii at Manoa has Hawaii's largest program, followed by Brigham Young University-Hawaii and Hawaii Pacific University. Size tells you how many classmates and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
| School | BSWs awarded, 2022-23 |
|---|---|
| University of Hawaii at Manoa social work | 51 |
| Brigham Young University-Hawaii social work | 39 |
| Hawaii Pacific University social work | 3 |
Online BSW Options for Hawaii Residents
Beyond Hawaii'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 Hawaii residents and arrange your field practicum in Hawaii.
| 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 Hawaii
| Occupation | Hawaii median | U.S. median | Jobs in Hawaii |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $68,270 | $59,550 | 1,170 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $42,400 | $45,930 | 2,230 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $73,830 | $66,270 | 40 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $76,370 | $80,390 | 980 |
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 Hawaii?
3 schools in Hawaii run a BSW that CSWE lists as accredited or in candidacy, 3 options in all, each checked on the school's own site in October 2026.
Can You Be Licensed With a BSW in Hawaii?
Yes. Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, Social Worker Program issues the Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW), 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 Hawaii Residents Earn a BSW Online?
Yes. 1 Hawaii option is offered online, and 131 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states; confirm each school can enroll Hawaii residents and place you in a field practicum in Hawaii. Online BSW programs.
What Is the Most Affordable BSW in Hawaii?
By federal figures for 2023-24, the lowest in-state tuition and fees at a Hawaii public university with a CSWE BSW is at University of Hawaii at Manoa ($12,186). Grants lower most students' price further.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 3 Hawaii schools listed, reviewed October 2026
- Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, Social Worker Program
- 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