Ohio · Verified October 2026
Social Work Programs in Ohio
Where Can You Earn a BSW in Ohio, and Can You Be Licensed With It?
27 schools in Ohio offer a CSWE bachelor of social work, including Ashland University, Bluffton University and Bowling Green State University. 9 options are online. In-state tuition and fees at Ohio public universities start at $7,824 a year (2023-24). Ohio licenses BSW graduates as the Licensed Social Worker (LSW).
- 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: LSW (ASWB Bachelors or ASWB Masters (the board approves the exam the applicant qualifies for))Or an MSW in about a year with advanced standing
- CSWE BSW schools
- 27
- BSW options
- 32
- online options
- 9
- lowest public in-state tuition, 2023-24
- $7,824
- BSW license
- LSW
Does Ohio License BSW Graduates?
Yes: the Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
- License
- Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
- Degree required
- Bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree in social work; bachelor's and doctoral degrees from a regionally (CHEA) accredited school, master's degrees from a CSWE-accredited program; degrees in other fields are not eligible
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors or ASWB Masters (the board approves the exam the applicant qualifies for)
From Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board (Social Work Professional Standards Committee), reviewed 2026-09-30. Ohio board of social work · BSW license checker
Ohio BSW Schools Compared
| School | Formats | CSWE | Tuition and fees, 2023-24 | Transfer or completion | Own MSW with advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central State UniversityWilberforce · Public | Campus | CSWE | $7,824$9,824 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Youngstown State UniversityYoungstown · Public | CSWE | $10,791$11,151 out-of-state | Yes | ||
| Wright State UniversityDayton · Public | Campus | CSWE | $11,188$20,606 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| University of ToledoToledo · Public | Campus | CSWE | $12,377$21,737 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Cleveland State UniversityCleveland · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $12,613$17,973 out-of-state | Yes | |
| University of AkronAkron · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $12,799$17,239 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Ohio State UniversityColumbus · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $12,859$38,365 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| University of CincinnatiCincinnati · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $13,570$30,582 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| Ohio UniversityAthens · Public | Campus | CSWE | $13,746$24,114 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Bowling Green State UniversityBowling Green · Public | Campus | CSWE | $14,081$22,070 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| Miami University-OxfordOxford · Public | Campus | CSWE | $17,809$40,025 out-of-state | Yes | |
| University of Rio GrandeRio Grande · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $20,560 | Yes | |
| Ashland UniversityAshland · Private nonprofit | Campus, Online | CSWE | $28,910 | ||
| Franciscan University of SteubenvilleSteubenville · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $32,630 | ||
| Mount Vernon Nazarene UniversityMount Vernon · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $35,524 | Yes | |
| Cedarville UniversityCedarville · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $36,078 | ||
| Malone UniversityCanton · Private nonprofit | Campus, Online | CSWE | $36,120 | Yes | |
| Bluffton UniversityBluffton · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $36,298 | Yes | Yes |
| Mount St. Joseph UniversityCincinnati · Private nonprofit | Hybrid | CSWE | $36,650 | Yes | |
| Ursuline CollegePepper Pike · Private nonprofit | Campus, Online | CSWE | $37,860 | Yes | |
| Defiance CollegeDefiance · Private nonprofit | CSWE | $38,778 | |||
| The University of FindlayFindlay · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $39,646 | Yes | |
| Capital UniversityColumbus · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $41,788 | Yes | |
| Xavier UniversityCincinnati · Private nonprofit | CSWE | $48,125 | Yes | ||
| Shawnee State UniversityPortsmouth · Public | Campus | Pre-candidacy | $9,622$16,157 out-of-state | ||
| Kent State UniversityKent · Public | Online | Candidacy | $12,846$22,316 out-of-state | ||
| Wilmington CollegeWilmington · Private nonprofit | Campus | Pre-candidacy | $30,962 |
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 Ohio
32 programs in Ohio
Bachelor of Science in Social Work at Ohio State University
Ohio State University school profile · ColumbusFormatOn campusTuition$14,050per year · resident rateAccreditationCSWEOnline Bachelor of Science in Social Work at Ohio State University
Ohio State University school profile · ColumbusFormatOnlineTuition$12,859per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work at University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati school profile · CincinnatiFormatOn campusTuition$7,412per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWEOnline Bachelor of Social Work at University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati school profile · CincinnatiFormatOnlineTuition$7,412per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work in Social Work at Youngstown State University
Youngstown State University school profile · YoungstownFormat–Tuition$5,859per term · resident rate · with feesAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Science in Social Work at Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University school profile · Bowling GreenFormatOn campusTuition$7,386per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work at Cleveland State University
Cleveland State University school profile · ClevelandFormatOn campus, OnlineTuition$6,828per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus, OnlineTuition$6,968per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$6,450per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus450-hour practicumTuition$17,809per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$7,401per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$7,401per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$6,085per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work; Bachelor of Science in Social Work at Central State University
Central State University school profile · WilberforceFormatOn campusTuition$2,991per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work at Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Mount Vernon Nazarene University school profile · Mount VernonFormatOn campusTuition$35,524per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Science in Social Work at Cedarville University
Cedarville University school profile · CedarvilleFormatOn campusTuition$36,078per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$45,100per yearAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus500-hour practicumTuition$38,200per yearAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnlineTuition$740per creditAccreditationCSWE
- Format–Tuition$27,265per term · with feesAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus448-hour practicumTuition$36,298per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Science in Social Work at Franciscan University of Steubenville
Franciscan University of Steubenville school profile · SteubenvilleFormatOn campus400-hour practicumTuition$35,000per yearAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus, OnlineTuition$35,400per yearAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work at the University of Findlay
The University of Findlay school profile · FindlayFormatOn campus480-hour practicumTuition$40,698per yearAccreditationCSWEBachelor's Degree in Social Work (BSW) at Ursuline College
Ursuline College school profile · Pepper PikeFormatOn campus, OnlineTuition$37,860per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWEOnline Social Work Bachelor's Degree Program (BSW) at Ursuline College
Ursuline College school profile · Pepper PikeFormatOnlineTuition$599per creditAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Arts in Social Work (BSW) at Mount St. Joseph University
Mount St. Joseph University school profile · CincinnatiFormatHybridTuition$665per creditAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work at University of Rio Grande
University of Rio Grande school profile · Rio GrandeFormatOn campusTuition$6,480per year · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- Format–Tuition$38,778per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$30,962per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationPre-candidacy
- FormatOnline400-hour practicumTuition$4,591per term · resident rateAccreditationCandidacy
Bachelor of Social Work at Shawnee State University
Shawnee State University school profile · PortsmouthFormatOn campusTuition$5,243per term · resident rate · with feesAccreditationPre-candidacy
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 Ohio
By the federal figures for 2023-24, tuition and fees at Ohio's BSW schools run from $7,824 at Central State University to $48,125 at Xavier University; the Ohio median is $20,560, against $13,212 nationally. Public universities charge residents less: 13 of 27 schools here are public.
| School | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Central State University tuitionPublic | $7,824 | $9,824 |
| Shawnee State University tuitionPublic | $9,622 | $16,157 |
| Youngstown State University tuitionPublic | $10,791 | $11,151 |
| Wright State University tuitionPublic | $11,188 | $20,606 |
| University of Toledo tuitionPublic | $12,377 | $21,737 |
| Cleveland State University tuitionPublic | $12,613 | $17,973 |
| University of Akron tuitionPublic | $12,799 | $17,239 |
| Kent State University tuitionPublic | $12,846 | $22,316 |
| Ohio State University tuitionPublic | $12,859 | $38,365 |
| University of Cincinnati tuitionPublic | $13,570 | $30,582 |
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 Ohio
16 Ohio schools also run an MSW that admits BSW graduates with advanced standing, usually about a year of study instead of two: Bluffton University, Bowling Green State University, Capital University, Cleveland State University, Malone University and Miami University-Oxford and 10 more. 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 Ohio
By BSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), Ohio State University has Ohio's largest program, followed by University of Cincinnati and Youngstown State University. Size tells you how many classmates and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
Online BSW Options for Ohio Residents
Beyond Ohio's own schools, 123 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Ohio residents and arrange your field practicum in Ohio.
| 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 Ohio
| Occupation | Ohio median | U.S. median | Jobs in Ohio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $51,520 | $59,550 | 16,050 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $38,390 | $45,930 | 10,970 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $61,120 | $66,270 | 3,310 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $73,890 | $80,390 |
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 Ohio Cities
Social Work Majors Without CSWE Accreditation in Ohio
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: Wilberforce University: Social Work (B.A.).
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many BSW Programs Are in Ohio?
27 schools in Ohio run a BSW that CSWE lists as accredited or in candidacy, 32 options in all, each checked on the school's own site in October 2026.
Can You Be Licensed With a BSW in Ohio?
Yes. Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board (Social Work Professional Standards Committee) issues the Licensed Social Worker (LSW), which requires the ASWB Bachelors or ASWB Masters (the board approves the exam the applicant qualifies for) exam. It's a license for generalist practice; independent clinical practice needs an MSW, supervised experience and a clinical license.
Can Ohio Residents Earn a BSW Online?
Yes. 9 Ohio options are offered online, and 123 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states; confirm each school can enroll Ohio residents and place you in a field practicum in Ohio. Online BSW programs.
What Is the Most Affordable BSW in Ohio?
By federal figures for 2023-24, the lowest in-state tuition and fees at a Ohio public university with a CSWE BSW are at Central State University ($7,824), Shawnee State University ($9,622) and Youngstown State University ($10,791). Grants lower most students' price further.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 27 Ohio schools listed, reviewed October 2026
- Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board (Social Work Professional Standards Committee)
- 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