Kansas City, MO · Verified October 2026
BSW Programs Near Kansas City, Missouri
Where Can You Earn a Social Work Degree Near Kansas City?
5 schools offer a campus or hybrid BSW within 50 miles of Kansas City, the closest being Park University (8 miles), Avila University (15 miles) and University of Saint Mary (22 miles). Missouri licenses BSW graduates as the LBSW. Online BSW programs from schools elsewhere are open to Missouri residents too.
- schools within 50 miles
- 5
- closest: Park University
- 8 mi
- transfer or completion options
- 1
- with their own advanced standing MSW
- 3
- median tuition and fees nearby, 2023-24
- $16,400
Campus and Hybrid BSW Programs Within 50 Miles of Kansas City
| School and program | Distance | Format | CSWE | Tuition and fees, 2023-24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park University: Social Work, B.S.W.Social Work, B.S.W. · Parkville, MO | 8 mi | On campus | CSWE | $16,400 |
| Avila University: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) · Kansas City, MO | 15 mi | On campus | CSWE | $38,672 |
| University of Saint Mary: Bachelor of Social WorkBachelor of Social Work · Leavenworth, KS | 22 mi | On campus | CSWE | $33,890 |
| University of Kansas: Bachelor of Social WorkBachelor of Social Work · Lawrence, KS | 39 mi | On campus | CSWE | $11,700 |
| Missouri Western State University: Bachelor of Social WorkBachelor of Social Work · Saint Joseph, MO | 46 mi | On campus | CSWE | $9,800 |
Straight-line distance from the center of Kansas City (U.S. Census Gazetteer) to each school's main campus (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS); some programs meet at other sites. Tuition and fees are the federal figures for a full-time undergraduate year, 2023-24, in-state at public universities (NCES College Navigator).
Transfer, Cost and MSW Routes Near Kansas City
Starting at a community college or bringing credits? One program within 50 miles names a transfer pathway or runs a degree-completion option: University of Kansas's transfer pathway (39 mi).
The lowest in-state tuition and fees nearby are at Missouri Western State University, $9,800 a year (2023-24), followed by University of Kansas at $11,700.
Planning on an MSW? University of Saint Mary, University of Kansas and Missouri Western State University also run MSWs that admit BSW graduates with advanced standing, usually about a year instead of two. How BSW-to-MSW advanced standing works.
Online BSW Options for Kansas City Residents
| 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 |
Online programs still place you in a supervised field practicum, so confirm the school can arrange one near Kansas City. Compare all of them on the online BSW programs and most affordable online BSW pages.
Getting Licensed in Missouri
- 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
Missouri BSW license from its board · Every BSW program in Missouri
BSW Programs Near Other Missouri Cities
- BSW programs near Independence11 mi away · 5 within 50 mi
- BSW programs near Rolla171 mi away · 8 within 100 mi
- BSW programs near Kennett317 mi away · 8 within 100 mi
Sources
- Official program pages of each school listed, reviewed October 2026
- CSWE directory of accredited programs
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 Gazetteer places file
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS: institutional characteristics and 2023-24 tuition and fees