South Carolina · Verified October 2026
Social Work Programs in South Carolina
Where Can You Earn a BSW in South Carolina, and Can You Be Licensed With It?
5 schools in South Carolina offer a CSWE bachelor of social work, including Benedict College, Columbia College and South Carolina State University. In-state tuition and fees at South Carolina public universities start at $11,060 a year (2023-24). South Carolina 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
- 5
- BSW options
- 5
- online options
- 0
- lowest public in-state tuition, 2023-24
- $11,060
- BSW license
- LBSW
Does South Carolina License BSW Graduates?
Yes: the Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)
- License
- Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)
- Degree required
- Baccalaureate degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program or a program with substantially similar standards
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
From South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners (Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation), reviewed 2026-09-30. South Carolina board of social work · BSW license checker
South Carolina BSW Schools Compared
| School | Formats | CSWE | Tuition and fees, 2023-24 | Transfer or completion | Own MSW with advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina State UniversityOrangeburg · Public | Campus | CSWE | $11,060$21,750 out-of-state | Yes | |
| University of South Carolina-ColumbiaColumbia · Public | Campus | CSWE | $12,688$34,934 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Winthrop UniversityRock Hill · Public | Campus | CSWE | $15,956$30,286 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| Benedict CollegeColumbia · Private nonprofit | CSWE | $18,000 | |||
| Columbia CollegeColumbia · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $21,450 |
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 South Carolina
5 programs in South Carolina
- FormatOn campusTuition$6,144per term · resident rate · with feesAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$371per credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- Format–400-hour practicumTuition$16,343per yearAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work at South Carolina State University
South Carolina State University school profile · OrangeburgFormatOn campusTuition$11,060per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$24,734per yearAccreditationCSWE
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 South Carolina
By the federal figures for 2023-24, tuition and fees at South Carolina's BSW schools run from $11,060 at South Carolina State University to $21,450 at Columbia College; the South Carolina median is $15,956, against $13,212 nationally. Public universities charge residents less: 3 of 5 schools here are public.
| School | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina State University tuitionPublic | $11,060 | $21,750 |
| University of South Carolina-Columbia tuitionPublic | $12,688 | $34,934 |
| Winthrop University tuitionPublic | $15,956 | $30,286 |
| Benedict College tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $18,000 | $18,000 |
| Columbia College tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $21,450 | $21,450 |
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 South Carolina
2 South Carolina schools also run an MSW that admits BSW graduates with advanced standing, usually about a year of study instead of two: University of South Carolina-Columbia and Winthrop 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 South Carolina
By BSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), University of South Carolina-Columbia has South Carolina's largest program, followed by Winthrop University and Benedict College. Size tells you how many classmates and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
Online BSW Options for South Carolina Residents
Beyond South Carolina's own schools, 132 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll South Carolina residents and arrange your field practicum in South Carolina.
| 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 South Carolina
| Occupation | South Carolina median | U.S. median | Jobs in South Carolina |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $51,800 | $59,550 | 5,520 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $38,550 | $45,930 | 5,220 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $56,780 | $66,270 | 460 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $73,410 | $80,390 | 1,990 |
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 South Carolina Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many BSW Programs Are in South Carolina?
5 schools in South Carolina run a BSW that CSWE lists as accredited or in candidacy, 5 options in all, each checked on the school's own site in October 2026.
Can You Be Licensed With a BSW in South Carolina?
Yes. South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners (Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation) 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 South Carolina Residents Earn a BSW Online?
Yes. 132 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states; confirm each school can enroll South Carolina residents and place you in a field practicum in South Carolina. Online BSW programs.
What Is the Most Affordable BSW in South Carolina?
By federal figures for 2023-24, the lowest in-state tuition and fees at a South Carolina public university with a CSWE BSW are at South Carolina State University ($11,060), University of South Carolina-Columbia ($12,688) and Winthrop University ($15,956). Grants lower most students' price further.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 5 South Carolina schools listed, reviewed October 2026
- South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners (Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation)
- 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