Kansas · Verified October 2026
Social Work Programs in Kansas
Where Can You Earn a BSW in Kansas, and Can You Be Licensed With It?
10 schools in Kansas offer a CSWE bachelor of social work, including Bethel College-North Newton, Fort Hays State University and Kansas State University. 3 options are online. In-state tuition and fees at Kansas public universities start at $5,633 a year (2023-24). Kansas 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
- 10
- BSW options
- 12
- online options
- 3
- lowest public in-state tuition, 2023-24
- $5,633
- BSW license
- LBSW
Does Kansas 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 CSWE-accredited program, or meeting K.A.R. 102-2-6
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
From Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB), reviewed 2026-09-30. Kansas board of social work · BSW license checker
Kansas BSW Schools Compared
| School | Formats | CSWE | Tuition and fees, 2023-24 | Transfer or completion | Own MSW with advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Hays State UniversityHays · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $5,633$16,811 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| Pittsburg State UniversityPittsburg · Public | Campus | CSWE | $8,008$19,692 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| Wichita State UniversityWichita · Public | Campus | CSWE | $9,322$19,240 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Washburn UniversityTopeka · Public | Campus | CSWE | $9,578$20,582 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| Kansas State UniversityManhattan · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $10,942$27,816 out-of-state | ||
| University of KansasLawrence · Public | Campus | CSWE | $11,700$29,412 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| Kansas Wesleyan UniversitySalina · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $33,470 | Yes | |
| University of Saint MaryLeavenworth · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $33,890 | Yes | |
| Bethel College-North NewtonNorth Newton · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $34,002 | Yes | |
| Tabor CollegeHillsboro · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $35,050 |
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 Kansas
12 programs in Kansas
- FormatOn campusTuition$11,700per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work (Bachelor of Arts With a Social Work Major) at Wichita State University
Wichita State University school profile · WichitaFormatOn campus400-hour practicumTuition$9,322per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus, Online400-hour practicumTuition$216per credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Science in Social Work at Kansas State University
Kansas State University school profile · ManhattanFormatOn campus, OnlineTuition$10,942per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Arts in Social Work at Kansas State University
Kansas State University school profile · ManhattanFormatOn campus, OnlineTuition$10,942per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$378per credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work at Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg State University school profile · PittsburgFormatOn campus480-hour practicumTuition$4,442per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Science in Social Work at Bethel College-North Newton
Bethel College-North Newton school profile · North NewtonFormatOn campusTuition$18,445per termAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus400-hour practicumTuition$36,136per yearAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus400-hour practicumTuition$36,136per yearAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$35,050per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work at University of Saint Mary
University of Saint Mary school profile · LeavenworthFormatOn campus540-hour practicumTuition$18,490per termAccreditationCSWE
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 Kansas
By the federal figures for 2023-24, tuition and fees at Kansas's BSW schools run from $5,633 at Fort Hays State University to $35,050 at Tabor College; the Kansas median is $10,942, against $13,212 nationally. Public universities charge residents less: 6 of 10 schools here are public.
| School | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Hays State University tuitionPublic | $5,633 | $16,811 |
| Pittsburg State University tuitionPublic | $8,008 | $19,692 |
| Wichita State University tuitionPublic | $9,322 | $19,240 |
| Washburn University tuitionPublic | $9,578 | $20,582 |
| Kansas State University tuitionPublic | $10,942 | $27,816 |
| University of Kansas tuitionPublic | $11,700 | $29,412 |
| Kansas Wesleyan University tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $33,470 | $33,470 |
| University of Saint Mary tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $33,890 | $33,890 |
| Bethel College-North Newton tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $34,002 | $34,002 |
| Tabor College tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $35,050 | $35,050 |
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 Kansas
6 Kansas schools also run an MSW that admits BSW graduates with advanced standing, usually about a year of study instead of two: Fort Hays State University, Pittsburg State University, University of Kansas, University of Saint Mary, Washburn University and Wichita State 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 Kansas
By BSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), University of Kansas has Kansas's largest program, followed by Wichita State University and Fort Hays State University. Size tells you how many classmates and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
Online BSW Options for Kansas Residents
Beyond Kansas'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 Kansas residents and arrange your field practicum in Kansas.
| 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 Kansas
| Occupation | Kansas median | U.S. median | Jobs in Kansas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $54,300 | $59,550 | 3,190 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $42,570 | $45,930 | 6,070 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $61,890 | $66,270 | 760 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $79,260 | $80,390 | 1,570 |
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 Kansas?
10 schools in Kansas run a BSW that CSWE lists as accredited or in candidacy, 12 options in all, each checked on the school's own site in October 2026.
Can You Be Licensed With a BSW in Kansas?
Yes. Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB) 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 Kansas Residents Earn a BSW Online?
Yes. 3 Kansas options are offered online, and 129 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states; confirm each school can enroll Kansas residents and place you in a field practicum in Kansas. Online BSW programs.
What Is the Most Affordable BSW in Kansas?
By federal figures for 2023-24, the lowest in-state tuition and fees at a Kansas public university with a CSWE BSW are at Fort Hays State University ($5,633), Pittsburg State University ($8,008) and Wichita State University ($9,322). Grants lower most students' price further.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 10 Kansas schools listed, reviewed October 2026
- Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB)
- 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