Idaho · Verified October 2026
Social Work Programs in Idaho
Where Can You Earn a BSW in Idaho, and Can You Be Licensed With It?
5 schools in Idaho offer a CSWE bachelor of social work, including Boise State University, Brigham Young University-Idaho and Idaho State University. 2 options are online. In-state tuition and fees at Idaho public universities start at $7,388 a year (2023-24). Idaho licenses BSW graduates as the Bachelor 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 (applicable exam for the license type))Or an MSW in about a year with advanced standing
- CSWE BSW schools
- 5
- BSW options
- 6
- online options
- 2
- lowest public in-state tuition, 2023-24
- $7,388
- BSW license
- LSW
Does Idaho License BSW Graduates?
Yes: the Bachelor Social Worker (LSW)
- License
- Bachelor Social Worker (LSW)
- Degree required
- Baccalaureate degree in social work from a college or university approved by the board
- Exam
- ASWB (applicable exam for the license type)
From Idaho State Board of Social Work Examiners (Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses), reviewed 2026-09-30. Idaho board of social work · BSW license checker
Idaho BSW Schools Compared
| School | Formats | CSWE | Tuition and fees, 2023-24 | Transfer or completion | Own MSW with advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brigham Young University-IdahoRexburg · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $4,656 | ||
| Lewis-Clark State CollegeLewiston · Public | Campus, Hybrid | CSWE | $7,388$21,386 out-of-state | ||
| Idaho State UniversityPocatello · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $8,356$27,466 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Boise State UniversityBoise · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $8,782$26,976 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Northwest Nazarene UniversityNampa · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $39,370 | 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 Idaho
6 programs in Idaho
- FormatOn campus500-hour practicumTuition$2,544per termAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$8,782per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnlineTuition$445per creditAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Lewis-Clark State College
Lewis-Clark State College school profile · LewistonFormatOn campus, HybridTuition$8,226per year · resident rateAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) at Idaho State University
Idaho State University school profile · PocatelloFormatOn campus, OnlineTuition$9,339per year · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$42,430per 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 Idaho
By the federal figures for 2023-24, tuition and fees at Idaho's BSW schools run from $4,656 at Brigham Young University-Idaho to $39,370 at Northwest Nazarene University; the Idaho median is $8,356, against $13,212 nationally. Public universities charge residents less: 3 of 5 schools here are public.
| School | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Brigham Young University-Idaho tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $4,656 | $4,656 |
| Lewis-Clark State College tuitionPublic | $7,388 | $21,386 |
| Idaho State University tuitionPublic | $8,356 | $27,466 |
| Boise State University tuitionPublic | $8,782 | $26,976 |
| Northwest Nazarene University tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $39,370 | $39,370 |
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 Idaho
3 Idaho schools also run an MSW that admits BSW graduates with advanced standing, usually about a year of study instead of two: Boise State University, Idaho State University and Northwest Nazarene University. 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 Idaho
By BSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), Brigham Young University-Idaho has Idaho's largest program, followed by Boise State University and Lewis-Clark State College. Size tells you how many classmates and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
Online BSW Options for Idaho Residents
Beyond Idaho's own schools, 130 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Idaho residents and arrange your field practicum in Idaho.
| 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 Idaho
| Occupation | Idaho median | U.S. median | Jobs in Idaho |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $59,840 | $59,550 | 810 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $47,540 | $45,930 | 3,810 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $59,780 | $66,270 | 760 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $79,120 | $80,390 | 820 |
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 Idaho?
5 schools in Idaho 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 Idaho?
Yes. Idaho State Board of Social Work Examiners (Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses) issues the Bachelor Social Worker (LSW), which requires the ASWB (applicable exam for the license type) exam. It's a license for generalist practice; independent clinical practice needs an MSW, supervised experience and a clinical license.
Can Idaho Residents Earn a BSW Online?
Yes. 2 Idaho options are offered online, and 130 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states; confirm each school can enroll Idaho residents and place you in a field practicum in Idaho. Online BSW programs.
What Is the Most Affordable BSW in Idaho?
By federal figures for 2023-24, the lowest in-state tuition and fees at a Idaho public university with a CSWE BSW are at Lewis-Clark State College ($7,388), Idaho State University ($8,356) and Boise State University ($8,782). Grants lower most students' price further.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 5 Idaho schools listed, reviewed October 2026
- Idaho State Board of Social Work Examiners (Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses)
- 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