New Mexico · Verified October 2026
Social Work Programs in New Mexico
Where Can You Earn a BSW in New Mexico, and Can You Be Licensed With It?
4 schools in New Mexico offer a CSWE bachelor of social work, including Eastern New Mexico University, New Mexico Highlands University and New Mexico State University. 2 options are online. In-state tuition and fees at New Mexico public universities start at $6,863 a year (2023-24). New Mexico 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
- 4
- BSW options
- 4
- online options
- 2
- lowest public in-state tuition, 2023-24
- $6,863
- BSW license
- LBSW
Does New Mexico License BSW Graduates?
Yes: the Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)
- License
- Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)
- Degree required
- Bachelor's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
From New Mexico Board of Social Work Examiners, Regulation and Licensing Department, reviewed 2026-09-30. New Mexico board of social work · BSW license checker
New Mexico BSW Schools Compared
| School | Formats | CSWE | Tuition and fees, 2023-24 | Transfer or completion | Own MSW with advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern New Mexico UniversityPortales · Public | Online | CSWE | $6,863$8,843 out-of-state | Yes | |
| New Mexico Highlands UniversityLas Vegas · Public | Campus | CSWE | $7,260$12,180 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Western New Mexico UniversitySilver City · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $7,868$14,354 out-of-state | Yes | |
| New Mexico State UniversityLas Cruces · Public | Campus | CSWE | $8,147$25,271 out-of-state | 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 New Mexico
4 programs in New Mexico
Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) at Western New Mexico University
Western New Mexico University school profile · Silver CityFormatOn campus, OnlineTuition$7,868per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work at New Mexico State University
New Mexico State University school profile · Las CrucesFormatOn campusTuition$8,147per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work at Eastern New Mexico University
Eastern New Mexico University school profile · PortalesFormatOnlineTuition$6,863per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) at New Mexico Highlands University
New Mexico Highlands University school profile · Las VegasFormatOn campus448-hour practicumTuition$7,260per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · 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 New Mexico
By the federal figures for 2023-24, tuition and fees at New Mexico's BSW schools run from $6,863 at Eastern New Mexico University to $8,147 at New Mexico State University; the New Mexico median is $7,260, against $13,212 nationally. Public universities charge residents less: 4 of 4 schools here are public.
| School | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern New Mexico University tuitionPublic | $6,863 | $8,843 |
| New Mexico Highlands University tuitionPublic | $7,260 | $12,180 |
| Western New Mexico University tuitionPublic | $7,868 | $14,354 |
| New Mexico State University tuitionPublic | $8,147 | $25,271 |
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 New Mexico
4 New Mexico schools also run an MSW that admits BSW graduates with advanced standing, usually about a year of study instead of two: Eastern New Mexico University, New Mexico Highlands University, New Mexico State University and Western New Mexico 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 New Mexico
By BSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), Western New Mexico University has New Mexico's largest program, followed by New Mexico State University. Size tells you how many classmates and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
| School | BSWs awarded, 2022-23 |
|---|---|
| Western New Mexico University social work | 37 |
| New Mexico State University social work | 34 |
Online BSW Options for New Mexico Residents
Beyond New Mexico's own schools, 130 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll New Mexico residents and arrange your field practicum in New Mexico.
| 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 New Mexico
| Occupation | New Mexico median | U.S. median | Jobs in New Mexico |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $56,160 | $59,550 | 2,990 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $46,340 | $45,930 | 3,050 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $66,000 | $66,270 | 620 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $81,290 | $80,390 | 1,150 |
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 New Mexico Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many BSW Programs Are in New Mexico?
4 schools in New Mexico run a BSW that CSWE lists as accredited or in candidacy, 4 options in all, each checked on the school's own site in October 2026.
Can You Be Licensed With a BSW in New Mexico?
Yes. New Mexico Board of Social Work Examiners, Regulation and Licensing Department 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 New Mexico Residents Earn a BSW Online?
Yes. 2 New Mexico options are offered online, and 130 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states; confirm each school can enroll New Mexico residents and place you in a field practicum in New Mexico. Online BSW programs.
What Is the Most Affordable BSW in New Mexico?
By federal figures for 2023-24, the lowest in-state tuition and fees at a New Mexico public university with a CSWE BSW are at Eastern New Mexico University ($6,863), New Mexico Highlands University ($7,260) and Western New Mexico University ($7,868). Grants lower most students' price further.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 4 New Mexico schools listed, reviewed October 2026
- New Mexico Board of Social Work Examiners, Regulation and Licensing Department
- 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