North Dakota · Verified October 2026
Social Work Programs in North Dakota
Where Can You Earn a BSW in North Dakota, and Can You Be Licensed With It?
4 schools in North Dakota offer a CSWE bachelor of social work, including Minot State University, Sitting Bull College and University of Mary. 3 options are online. In-state tuition and fees at North Dakota public universities start at $4,010 a year (2023-24). North Dakota 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
- 6
- online options
- 3
- lowest public in-state tuition, 2023-24
- $4,010
- BSW license
- LBSW
Does North Dakota 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 college or university (or a Canadian program accredited by CASWE); no other degree accepted
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
From North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners, reviewed 2026-09-30. North Dakota board of social work · BSW license checker
North Dakota BSW Schools Compared
| School | Formats | CSWE | Tuition and fees, 2023-24 | Transfer or completion | Own MSW with advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sitting Bull CollegeFort Yates · Public | CSWE | $4,010 | |||
| Minot State UniversityMinot · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $8,634 | Yes | |
| University of North DakotaGrand Forks · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $10,951$15,570 out-of-state | Yes | |
| University of MaryBismarck · Private nonprofit | Campus, Online | CSWE | $21,468 | 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 North Dakota
6 programs in North Dakota
Bachelor of Science in Social Work (B.S.S.W.) at University of North Dakota
University of North Dakota school profile · Grand ForksFormatOn campus, OnlineTuition$10,951per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus, OnlineTuition$9,583per year · resident rate · with feesAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$8,634per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$21,468per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Online Bachelor of Science in Social Work at University of Mary
University of Mary school profile · BismarckFormatOnlineTuition$510per creditAccreditationCSWE- Format–Tuition$4,010per 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 North Dakota
By the federal figures for 2023-24, tuition and fees at North Dakota's BSW schools run from $4,010 at Sitting Bull College to $21,468 at University of Mary; the North Dakota median is $8,634, against $13,212 nationally. Public universities charge residents less: 3 of 4 schools here are public.
| School | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Sitting Bull College tuitionPublic | $4,010 | $4,010 |
| Minot State University tuitionPublic | $8,634 | $8,634 |
| University of North Dakota tuitionPublic | $10,951 | $15,570 |
| University of Mary tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $21,468 | $21,468 |
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 North Dakota
2 North Dakota schools also run an MSW that admits BSW graduates with advanced standing, usually about a year of study instead of two: University of Mary and University of North Dakota. 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 North Dakota
By BSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), University of North Dakota has North Dakota's largest program, followed by Minot State University and University of Mary. Size tells you how many classmates and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
| School | BSWs awarded, 2022-23 |
|---|---|
| University of North Dakota social work | 64 |
| Minot State University social work | 51 |
| University of Mary social work | 10 |
Online BSW Options for North Dakota Residents
Beyond North Dakota'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 North Dakota residents and arrange your field practicum in North Dakota.
| 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 North Dakota
| Occupation | North Dakota median | U.S. median | Jobs in North Dakota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $64,560 | $59,550 | 870 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $46,260 | $45,930 | 1,530 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $65,140 | $66,270 | 250 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $86,630 | $80,390 | 510 |
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 North Dakota?
4 schools in North Dakota run a BSW that CSWE lists as accredited or in candidacy, 6 options in all, each checked on the school's own site in October 2026.
Can You Be Licensed With a BSW in North Dakota?
Yes. North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners 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 North Dakota Residents Earn a BSW Online?
Yes. 3 North Dakota options are offered online, and 129 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states; confirm each school can enroll North Dakota residents and place you in a field practicum in North Dakota. Online BSW programs.
What Is the Most Affordable BSW in North Dakota?
By federal figures for 2023-24, the lowest in-state tuition and fees at a North Dakota public university with a CSWE BSW are at Sitting Bull College ($4,010), Minot State University ($8,634) and University of North Dakota ($10,951). Grants lower most students' price further.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 4 North Dakota schools listed, reviewed October 2026
- North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners
- 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