Louisiana · Verified October 2026
Social Work Programs in Louisiana
Where Can You Earn a BSW in Louisiana, and Can You Be Licensed With It?
8 schools in Louisiana offer a CSWE bachelor of social work, including Grambling State University, Louisiana Christian University and Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College. In-state tuition and fees at Louisiana public universities start at $7,490 a year (2023-24). Louisiana licenses BSW graduates as the Registered Social Worker (RSW).
- 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: RSW (none)Or an MSW in about a year with advanced standing
- CSWE BSW schools
- 8
- BSW options
- 8
- online options
- 0
- lowest public in-state tuition, 2023-24
- $7,490
- BSW license
- RSW
Does Louisiana License BSW Graduates?
Yes: the Registered Social Worker (RSW)
- License
- Registered Social Worker (RSW)
- Degree required
- Bachelor's or master's degree in social work from a university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
- Exam
- none
From Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners (LABSWE), reviewed 2026-09-30. Louisiana board of social work · BSW license checker
Louisiana BSW Schools Compared
| School | Formats | CSWE | Tuition and fees, 2023-24 | Transfer or completion | Own MSW with advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern University at New OrleansNew Orleans · Public | CSWE | $7,490$16,390 out-of-state | Yes | ||
| Grambling State UniversityGrambling · Public | CSWE | $7,683$16,706 out-of-state | Yes | ||
| Southeastern Louisiana UniversityHammond · Public | Campus | CSWE | $8,373$20,851 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Northwestern State University of LouisianaNatchitoches · Public | CSWE | $8,864$19,652 out-of-state | Yes | ||
| University of Louisiana at MonroeMonroe · Public | CSWE | $9,190$21,290 out-of-state | |||
| Southern University and A & M CollegeBaton Rouge · Public | CSWE | $9,848$17,198 out-of-state | |||
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge · Public | CSWE | $11,954$28,631 out-of-state | Yes | ||
| Louisiana Christian UniversityPineville · Private nonprofit | CSWE | $19,740 | 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 Louisiana
8 programs in Louisiana
Bachelor of Social Work at Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Northwestern State University of Louisiana school profile · NatchitochesFormat–Tuition$8,864per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus430-hour practicumTuition$4,855per term · resident rate · with feesAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work at Grambling State University
Grambling State University school profile · GramblingFormat–Tuition$7,683per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE- Format–Tuition$11,954per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) at Southern University at New Orleans
Southern University at New Orleans school profile · New OrleansFormat–Tuition$7,490per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Science in Social Work at Southern University and a &Amp; M College
Southern University and A & M College school profile · Baton RougeFormat–Tuition$9,848per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE- Format–Tuition$9,190per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work at Louisiana Christian University
Louisiana Christian University school profile · PinevilleFormat–Tuition$19,740per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
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 Louisiana
By the federal figures for 2023-24, tuition and fees at Louisiana's BSW schools run from $7,490 at Southern University at New Orleans to $19,740 at Louisiana Christian University; the Louisiana median is $8,864, against $13,212 nationally. Public universities charge residents less: 7 of 8 schools here are public.
| School | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Southern University at New Orleans tuitionPublic | $7,490 | $16,390 |
| Grambling State University tuitionPublic | $7,683 | $16,706 |
| Southeastern Louisiana University tuitionPublic | $8,373 | $20,851 |
| Northwestern State University of Louisiana tuitionPublic | $8,864 | $19,652 |
| University of Louisiana at Monroe tuitionPublic | $9,190 | $21,290 |
| Southern University and A & M College tuitionPublic | $9,848 | $17,198 |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College tuitionPublic | $11,954 | $28,631 |
| Louisiana Christian University tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $19,740 | $19,740 |
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 Louisiana
6 Louisiana schools also run an MSW that admits BSW graduates with advanced standing, usually about a year of study instead of two: Grambling State University, Louisiana Christian University, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, Northwestern State University of Louisiana, Southeastern Louisiana University and Southern University at New Orleans. 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 Louisiana
By BSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), Northwestern State University of Louisiana has Louisiana's largest program, followed by Southeastern Louisiana University and Grambling State University. Size tells you how many classmates and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
Online BSW Options for Louisiana Residents
Beyond Louisiana's own schools, 132 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Louisiana residents and arrange your field practicum in Louisiana.
| 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 Louisiana
| Occupation | Louisiana median | U.S. median | Jobs in Louisiana |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $56,800 | $59,550 | 1,110 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $35,780 | $45,930 | 3,440 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $62,910 | $66,270 | 980 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $82,090 | $80,390 | 2,680 |
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 Louisiana Cities
Social Work Majors Without CSWE Accreditation in Louisiana
This school offers a social work bachelor's that CSWE doesn't list as accredited or in candidacy (directory checked September 30, 2026). A non-accredited degree doesn't qualify you for a state bachelor's license or MSW advanced standing, so it isn't included in this site's lists: Dillard University: Bachelor of Arts in Social Work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many BSW Programs Are in Louisiana?
8 schools in Louisiana run a BSW that CSWE lists as accredited or in candidacy, 8 options in all, each checked on the school's own site in October 2026.
Can You Be Licensed With a BSW in Louisiana?
Yes. Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners (LABSWE) issues the Registered Social Worker (RSW), which requires the none exam. It's a license for generalist practice; independent clinical practice needs an MSW, supervised experience and a clinical license.
Can Louisiana Residents Earn a BSW Online?
Yes. 132 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states; confirm each school can enroll Louisiana residents and place you in a field practicum in Louisiana. Online BSW programs.
What Is the Most Affordable BSW in Louisiana?
By federal figures for 2023-24, the lowest in-state tuition and fees at a Louisiana public university with a CSWE BSW are at Southern University at New Orleans ($7,490), Grambling State University ($7,683) and Southeastern Louisiana University ($8,373). Grants lower most students' price further.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 8 Louisiana schools listed, reviewed October 2026
- Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners (LABSWE)
- 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