Pennsylvania · Verified October 2026
Social Work Programs in Pennsylvania
Where Can You Earn a BSW in Pennsylvania, and Can You Be Licensed With It?
30 schools in Pennsylvania offer a CSWE bachelor of social work, including Alvernia University, Carlow University and Cedar Crest College. 5 options are online. In-state tuition and fees at Pennsylvania public universities start at $10,507 a year (2023-24). Pennsylvania licenses BSW graduates as the Licensed Bachelor 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
- 30
- BSW options
- 34
- online options
- 5
- lowest public in-state tuition, 2023-24
- $10,507
- BSW license
- LBSW
Does Pennsylvania License BSW Graduates?
Yes: the Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW)
- License
- Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW)
- Degree required
- Bachelor's degree from a CSWE-accredited program of social work or social welfare
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
From Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors, reviewed 2026-09-30. Pennsylvania board of social work · BSW license checker
Pennsylvania BSW Schools Compared
| School | Formats | CSWE | Tuition and fees, 2023-24 | Transfer or completion | Own MSW with advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slippery Rock University of PennsylvaniaSlippery Rock · Public | Campus | CSWE | $10,507$14,615 out-of-state | Yes | |
| West Chester University of PennsylvaniaWest Chester · Public | Campus | CSWE | $10,687$22,511 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| East Stroudsburg University of PennsylvaniaEast Stroudsburg · Public | Campus | CSWE | $11,036$19,002 out-of-state | ||
| Commonwealth University of PennsylvaniaBloomsburg · Public | Campus, Online, Hybrid | CSWE | $11,046$22,870 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Kutztown University of PennsylvaniaKutztown · Public | Campus | CSWE | $11,230$16,434 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest)California · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $11,388$16,006 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Millersville University of PennsylvaniaMillersville · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $12,262$16,232 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| Shippensburg University of PennsylvaniaShippensburg · Public | Campus | CSWE | $13,544$15,798 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Penn StateUniversity Park · Public | Campus | CSWE | $20,234$40,188 out-of-state | ||
| Grove City CollegeGrove City · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $20,890 | ||
| University of PittsburghPittsburgh · Public | Campus | CSWE | $21,524$39,890 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Temple UniversityPhiladelphia · Public | Campus | CSWE | $22,082$37,462 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Lancaster Bible CollegeLancaster · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $29,990 | Yes | |
| Carlow UniversityPittsburgh · Private nonprofit | Online | CSWE | $34,502 | Yes | |
| La Salle UniversityPhiladelphia · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $35,570 | Yes | |
| Elizabethtown CollegeElizabethtown · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $36,842 | ||
| Eastern UniversitySaint Davids · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $37,420 | Yes | |
| Gannon UniversityErie · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $37,951 | ||
| Gwynedd Mercy UniversityGwynedd Valley · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $38,310 | ||
| Misericordia UniversityDallas · Private nonprofit | Campus, Hybrid | CSWE | $38,370 | ||
| Marywood UniversityScranton · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $39,570 | ||
| Messiah UniversityMechanicsburg · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $40,640 | Yes | |
| Seton Hill UniversityGreensburg · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $41,414 | ||
| Saint Francis UniversityLoretto · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $41,720 | ||
| Alvernia UniversityReading · Private nonprofit | Campus, Online | CSWE | $42,810 | Yes | |
| Chatham UniversityPittsburgh · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $43,810 | Yes | |
| Cedar Crest CollegeAllentown · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $44,934 | Yes | |
| Widener UniversityChester · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $53,638 | Yes | |
| Juniata CollegeHuntingdon · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $56,402 | ||
| Chestnut Hill CollegePhiladelphia · Private nonprofit | Campus | Pre-candidacy | $39,410 | 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 Pennsylvania
34 programs in Pennsylvania
- FormatOn campus, Online, HybridTuition$4,169per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) at Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Millersville University of Pennsylvania school profile · MillersvilleFormatOn campusTuition$4,169per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWEOnline Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) Degree Completion at Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Millersville University of Pennsylvania school profile · MillersvilleFormatOnlineTuition$347per credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester University of Pennsylvania school profile · West ChesterFormatOn campusTuition$10,687per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus400-hour practicumTuition$20,376per year · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania school profile · ShippensburgFormatOn campusTuition$344per credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$4,169per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Science in Social Work at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania school profile · Slippery RockFormatOn campusTuition$4,169per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus, OnlineTuition$4,169per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) at University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh school profile · PittsburghFormatOn campusTuition$21,524per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Science in Social Work at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania school profile · East StroudsburgFormatOn campusTuition$347per credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$40,500per yearAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$46,700per yearAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnlineTuition$42,810per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Messiah University
Messiah University school profile · MechanicsburgFormatOn campus600-hour practicumTuition$43,815per yearAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Mercy University school profile · Gwynedd ValleyFormatOn campusTuition$41,980per year · with feesAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$56,402per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$44,934per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Social Work (B.S.W.), Adult Undergraduate at Cedar Crest College
Cedar Crest College school profile · AllentownFormatOn campusTuition$44,934per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$39,570per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus500-hour practicumTuition$41,414per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$30,019per termAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Lancaster Bible College
Lancaster Bible College school profile · LancasterFormatOn campus480-hour practicumTuition$31,190per yearAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$42,650per yearAccreditationCSWE
- FormatHybridTuition$38,370per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$37,420per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSW) at Grove City College
Grove City College school profile · Grove CityFormatOn campusTuition$20,890per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE- FormatOnlineTuition$34,502per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus700-hour practicumTuition$39,520per yearAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$37,951per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$45,700per yearAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work at Saint Francis University
Saint Francis University school profile · LorettoFormatOn campusTuition$41,720per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Chestnut Hill College
Chestnut Hill College school profile · PhiladelphiaFormatOn campusTuition$39,410per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationPre-candidacySocial Work, B.S.W. at Penn State
Penn State school profile · University ParkFormatOn campusTuition$20,234per 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 Pennsylvania
By the federal figures for 2023-24, tuition and fees at Pennsylvania's BSW schools run from $10,507 at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania to $56,402 at Juniata College; the Pennsylvania median is $35,570, against $13,212 nationally. Public universities charge residents less: 11 of 30 schools here are public.
| School | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania tuitionPublic | $10,507 | $14,615 |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania tuitionPublic | $10,687 | $22,511 |
| East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania tuitionPublic | $11,036 | $19,002 |
| Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania tuitionPublic | $11,046 | $22,870 |
| Kutztown University of Pennsylvania tuitionPublic | $11,230 | $16,434 |
| Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) tuitionPublic | $11,388 | $16,006 |
| Millersville University of Pennsylvania tuitionPublic | $12,262 | $16,232 |
| Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania tuitionPublic | $13,544 | $15,798 |
| Penn State tuitionPublic | $20,234 | $40,188 |
| Grove City College tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $20,890 | $20,890 |
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 Pennsylvania
15 Pennsylvania schools also run an MSW that admits BSW graduates with advanced standing, usually about a year of study instead of two: Alvernia University, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, Eastern University, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, La Salle University and Lancaster Bible College and 9 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 Pennsylvania
By BSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania has Pennsylvania's largest program, followed by Millersville University of Pennsylvania and West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Size tells you how many classmates and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
Online BSW Options for Pennsylvania Residents
Beyond Pennsylvania'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 Pennsylvania residents and arrange your field practicum in Pennsylvania.
| 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 Pennsylvania
| Occupation | Pennsylvania median | U.S. median | Jobs in Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $50,820 | $59,550 | 16,200 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $44,050 | $45,930 | 24,340 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $67,370 | $66,270 | 4,310 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $75,280 | $80,390 | 10,220 |
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 Majors Without CSWE Accreditation in Pennsylvania
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: Immaculata University: Social Work, B.A..
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many BSW Programs Are in Pennsylvania?
30 schools in Pennsylvania run a BSW that CSWE lists as accredited or in candidacy, 34 options in all, each checked on the school's own site in October 2026.
Can You Be Licensed With a BSW in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors issues the Licensed Bachelor 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 Pennsylvania Residents Earn a BSW Online?
Yes. 5 Pennsylvania options are offered online, and 127 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states; confirm each school can enroll Pennsylvania residents and place you in a field practicum in Pennsylvania. Online BSW programs.
What Is the Most Affordable BSW in Pennsylvania?
By federal figures for 2023-24, the lowest in-state tuition and fees at a Pennsylvania public university with a CSWE BSW are at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania ($10,507), West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($10,687) and East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania ($11,036). Grants lower most students' price further.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 30 Pennsylvania schools listed, reviewed October 2026
- Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors
- 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