Missouri · Verified October 2026
Social Work Programs in Missouri
Where Can You Earn a BSW in Missouri, and Can You Be Licensed With It?
15 schools in Missouri offer a CSWE bachelor of social work, including Avila University, Evangel University and Lincoln University. 5 options are online. In-state tuition and fees at Missouri public universities start at $8,400 a year (2023-24). Missouri licenses BSW graduates as the Licensed Baccalaureate 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
- 15
- BSW options
- 16
- online options
- 5
- lowest public in-state tuition, 2023-24
- $8,400
- BSW license
- LBSW
Does Missouri License BSW Graduates?
Yes: the Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)
- License
- Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)
- Degree required
- Bachelor's degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
From Missouri State Committee for Social Workers, Division of Professional Registration, reviewed 2026-09-30. Missouri board of social work · BSW license checker
Missouri BSW Schools Compared
| School | Formats | CSWE | Tuition and fees, 2023-24 | Transfer or completion | Own MSW with advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri Southern State UniversityJoplin · Public | Campus | CSWE | $8,400$16,800 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Missouri State University-SpringfieldSpringfield · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $9,024$17,928 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Lincoln UniversityJefferson City · Public | Campus | CSWE | $9,290$16,882 out-of-state | ||
| Southeast Missouri State UniversityCape Girardeau · Public | Campus | CSWE | $9,496 | ||
| University of Central MissouriWarrensburg · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $9,739$18,064 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Missouri Western State UniversitySaint Joseph · Public | Campus | CSWE | $9,800$17,500 out-of-state | Yes | |
| University of Missouri-St LouisSaint Louis · Public | Campus | CSWE | $13,440$33,432 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| Mizzou (University of Missouri)Columbia · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $14,130$34,338 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Park UniversityParkville · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $16,400 | ||
| Lindenwood UniversitySaint Charles · Private nonprofit | Hybrid | CSWE | $21,100 | ||
| Maryville University of Saint LouisSaint Louis · Private nonprofit | Online | CSWE | $27,166 | ||
| Evangel UniversitySpringfield · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $27,192 | ||
| Southwest Baptist UniversityBolivar · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $28,320 | Yes | |
| Avila UniversityKansas City · Private nonprofit | Campus, Online | CSWE | $38,672 | Yes | |
| Saint Louis UniversitySaint Louis · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $53,244 | Yes | 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 Missouri
16 programs in Missouri
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Missouri State University-Springfield
Missouri State University-Springfield school profile · SpringfieldFormatOn campus, Online400-hour practicumTuition$317per credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work (BSW) at University of Missouri-St Louis
University of Missouri-St Louis school profile · Saint LouisFormatOn campus480-hour practicumTuition$550per credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus, OnlineTuition$14,130per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Science in Social Work at Southeast Missouri State University
Southeast Missouri State University school profile · Cape GirardeauFormatOn campus448-hour practicumTuition$305per creditAccreditationCSWESocial Work, B.S. (Bachelor of Science in Social Work) at Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University school profile · Saint LouisFormatOn campusTuition$58,960per yearAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work at Missouri Western State University
Missouri Western State University school profile · Saint JosephFormatOn campusTuition$328per credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work (BSW) at University of Central Missouri
University of Central Missouri school profile · WarrensburgFormatOn campus, OnlineTuition$311per credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$17,000per yearAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$314per credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work, BSW at Lindenwood University
Lindenwood University school profile · Saint CharlesFormatHybrid510-hour practicumTuition$22,360per yearAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$40,540per yearAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnlineTuition$300per creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$30,500per yearAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) at Lincoln University
Lincoln University school profile · Jefferson CityFormatOn campus425-hour practicumTuition$282per credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work in Social Work at Evangel University
Evangel University school profile · SpringfieldFormatOn campusTuition$15,004per termAccreditationCSWEOnline Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Maryville University of Saint Louis
Maryville University of Saint Louis school profile · Saint LouisFormatOnlineTuition$575per creditAccreditationCSWE
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 Missouri
By the federal figures for 2023-24, tuition and fees at Missouri's BSW schools run from $8,400 at Missouri Southern State University to $53,244 at Saint Louis University; the Missouri median is $14,130, against $13,212 nationally. Public universities charge residents less: 8 of 15 schools here are public.
| School | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Southern State University tuitionPublic | $8,400 | $16,800 |
| Missouri State University-Springfield tuitionPublic | $9,024 | $17,928 |
| Lincoln University tuitionPublic | $9,290 | $16,882 |
| Southeast Missouri State University tuitionPublic | $9,496 | $9,496 |
| University of Central Missouri tuitionPublic | $9,739 | $18,064 |
| Missouri Western State University tuitionPublic | $9,800 | $17,500 |
| University of Missouri-St Louis tuitionPublic | $13,440 | $33,432 |
| Mizzou (University of Missouri) tuitionPublic | $14,130 | $34,338 |
| Park University tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $16,400 | $16,400 |
| Lindenwood University tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $21,100 | $21,100 |
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 Missouri
4 Missouri schools also run an MSW that admits BSW graduates with advanced standing, usually about a year of study instead of two: Missouri State University-Springfield, Missouri Western State University, Saint Louis University and University of Missouri-St Louis. 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 Missouri
By BSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), Missouri State University-Springfield has Missouri's largest program, followed by University of Missouri-St Louis and Mizzou (University of Missouri). Size tells you how many classmates and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
Online BSW Options for Missouri Residents
Beyond Missouri's own schools, 127 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Missouri residents and arrange your field practicum in Missouri.
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 Missouri
| Occupation | Missouri median | U.S. median | Jobs in Missouri |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $48,520 | $59,550 | 9,620 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $41,780 | $45,930 | 6,200 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $46,840 | $66,270 | 2,290 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $71,970 | $80,390 | 3,060 |
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 Missouri Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many BSW Programs Are in Missouri?
15 schools in Missouri run a BSW that CSWE lists as accredited or in candidacy, 16 options in all, each checked on the school's own site in October 2026.
Can You Be Licensed With a BSW in Missouri?
Yes. Missouri State Committee for Social Workers, Division of Professional Registration issues the Licensed Baccalaureate 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 Missouri Residents Earn a BSW Online?
Yes. 5 Missouri options are offered online, and 127 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states; confirm each school can enroll Missouri residents and place you in a field practicum in Missouri. Online BSW programs.
What Is the Most Affordable BSW in Missouri?
By federal figures for 2023-24, the lowest in-state tuition and fees at a Missouri public university with a CSWE BSW are at Missouri Southern State University ($8,400), Missouri State University-Springfield ($9,024) and Lincoln University ($9,290). Grants lower most students' price further.
Nearby States
- Social work programs in Arkansas10 schools
- Social work programs in Illinois19 schools
- Social work programs in Iowa13 schools
- Social work programs in Kansas10 schools
- Social work programs in Kentucky14 schools
- Social work programs in Nebraska6 schools
- Social work programs in Oklahoma5 schools
- Social work programs in Tennessee19 schools
- All States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 15 Missouri schools listed, reviewed October 2026
- Missouri State Committee for Social Workers, Division of Professional Registration
- 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