Iowa · Verified October 2026
Social Work Programs in Iowa
Where Can You Earn a BSW in Iowa, and Can You Be Licensed With It?
13 schools in Iowa offer a CSWE bachelor of social work, including Briar Cliff University, Buena Vista University and Clarke University. 4 options are online. In-state tuition and fees at Iowa public universities start at $9,728 a year (2023-24). Iowa 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
- 13
- BSW options
- 15
- online options
- 4
- lowest public in-state tuition, 2023-24
- $9,728
- BSW license
- LBSW
Does Iowa License BSW Graduates?
Yes: the Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW)
- License
- Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW)
- Degree required
- Bachelor's degree in social work from a college or university accredited by CSWE at the time of graduation
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
From Iowa Board of Behavioral Health Professionals (formerly Iowa Board of Social Work), Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing, reviewed 2026-09-30. Iowa board of social work · BSW license checker
Iowa BSW Schools Compared
| School | Formats | CSWE | Tuition and fees, 2023-24 | Transfer or completion | Own MSW with advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Northern IowaCedar Falls · Public | Campus | CSWE | $9,728$21,272 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| University of IowaIowa City · Public | Campus | CSWE | $10,964$32,927 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| Grand View UniversityDes Moines · Private nonprofit | Campus, Online | CSWE | $33,450 | Yes | Yes |
| Northwestern CollegeOrange City · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $35,300 | ||
| Briar Cliff UniversitySioux City · Private nonprofit | Campus, Online | CSWE | $35,534 | Yes | |
| Saint Ambrose UniversityDavenport · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $35,598 | Yes | Yes |
| Dordt UniversitySioux Center · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $35,960 | Yes | |
| Loras CollegeDubuque · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $38,298 | ||
| Mount Mercy UniversityCedar Rapids · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $39,070 | ||
| Clarke UniversityDubuque · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $39,600 | Yes | |
| Buena Vista UniversityStorm Lake · Private nonprofit | Campus, Online | CSWE | $40,190 | Yes | |
| Luther CollegeDecorah · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $50,320 | ||
| Wartburg CollegeWaverly · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $51,040 |
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 Iowa
15 programs in Iowa
Bachelor of Social Work at University of Northern Iowa
University of Northern Iowa school profile · Cedar FallsFormatOn campus400-hour practicumTuition$9,054per year · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$11,971per year · resident rate · with feesAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus420-hour practicumTuition$40,450per yearAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus440-hour practicumTuition$38,400per yearAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus, OnlineTuition$36,718per yearAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$39,000per yearAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$50,320per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work at Saint Ambrose University
Saint Ambrose University school profile · DavenportFormatOn campusTuition$39,348per yearAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus, Online450-hour practicumTuition$19,455per termAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work (Online Degree Completion) at Briar Cliff University
Briar Cliff University school profile · Sioux CityFormatOnline450-hour practicumTuition$340per creditAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Arts in Social Work at Mount Mercy University
Mount Mercy University school profile · Cedar RapidsFormatOn campusTuition$43,442per yearAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Arts in Social Work at Buena Vista University
Buena Vista University school profile · Storm LakeFormatOn campusTuition$40,190per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Arts in Social Work (BVU Online) at Buena Vista University
Buena Vista University school profile · Storm LakeFormatOnlineTuition$510per creditAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus440-hour practicumTuition$42,640per yearAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus590-hour practicumTuition$26,975per 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 Iowa
By the federal figures for 2023-24, tuition and fees at Iowa's BSW schools run from $9,728 at University of Northern Iowa to $51,040 at Wartburg College; the Iowa median is $35,960, against $13,212 nationally. Public universities charge residents less: 2 of 13 schools here are public.
| School | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| University of Northern Iowa tuitionPublic | $9,728 | $21,272 |
| University of Iowa tuitionPublic | $10,964 | $32,927 |
| Grand View University tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $33,450 | $33,450 |
| Northwestern College tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $35,300 | $35,300 |
| Briar Cliff University tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $35,534 | $35,534 |
| Saint Ambrose University tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $35,598 | $35,598 |
| Dordt University tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $35,960 | $35,960 |
| Loras College tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $38,298 | $38,298 |
| Mount Mercy University tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $39,070 | $39,070 |
| Clarke University tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $39,600 | $39,600 |
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 Iowa
6 Iowa schools also run an MSW that admits BSW graduates with advanced standing, usually about a year of study instead of two: Clarke University, Dordt University, Grand View University, Saint Ambrose University, University of Iowa and University of Northern Iowa. 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 Iowa
By BSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), University of Northern Iowa has Iowa's largest program, followed by University of Iowa and Loras College. Size tells you how many classmates and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
Online BSW Options for Iowa Residents
Beyond Iowa's own schools, 128 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Iowa residents and arrange your field practicum in Iowa.
| 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 |
| Capella University: Bachelor of Social WorkBachelor of Social Work · Minnesota | $350 |
| Walden University: Online Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)Online Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) · Minnesota | $360 |
Compare every option on the online BSW programs page, or let the program matcher rank them for you.
Pay for BSW Jobs in Iowa
| Occupation | Iowa median | U.S. median | Jobs in Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $52,250 | $59,550 | 3,410 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $42,480 | $45,930 | 5,230 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $77,390 | $66,270 | 950 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $65,940 | $80,390 | 2,790 |
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 Iowa Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many BSW Programs Are in Iowa?
13 schools in Iowa run a BSW that CSWE lists as accredited or in candidacy, 15 options in all, each checked on the school's own site in October 2026.
Can You Be Licensed With a BSW in Iowa?
Yes. Iowa Board of Behavioral Health Professionals (formerly Iowa Board of Social Work), Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing 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 Iowa Residents Earn a BSW Online?
Yes. 4 Iowa options are offered online, and 128 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states; confirm each school can enroll Iowa residents and place you in a field practicum in Iowa. Online BSW programs.
What Is the Most Affordable BSW in Iowa?
By federal figures for 2023-24, the lowest in-state tuition and fees at a Iowa public university with a CSWE BSW are at University of Northern Iowa ($9,728) and University of Iowa ($10,964). Grants lower most students' price further.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 13 Iowa schools listed, reviewed October 2026
- Iowa Board of Behavioral Health Professionals (formerly Iowa Board of Social Work), Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing
- 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