South Dakota · Verified October 2026
Social Work Programs in South Dakota
Where Can You Earn a BSW in South Dakota, and Can You Be Licensed With It?
4 schools in South Dakota offer a CSWE bachelor of social work, including Augustana University, Oglala Lakota College and University of Sioux Falls. In-state tuition and fees at South Dakota public universities start at $2,684 a year (2023-24). South Dakota licenses BSW graduates as the Social Work Associate (SWA).
- 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: SWA (ASWB (board-prescribed exam; level not named in the rule))Or an MSW in about a year with advanced standing
- CSWE BSW schools
- 4
- BSW options
- 4
- online options
- 0
- lowest public in-state tuition, 2023-24
- $2,684
- BSW license
- SWA
Does South Dakota License BSW Graduates?
Yes: the Social Work Associate (SWA)
- License
- Social Work Associate (SWA)
- Degree required
- Baccalaureate degree in a non-social-work field, or an associate of arts degree in human services from a board-approved program
- Exam
- ASWB (board-prescribed exam; level not named in the rule)
- License
- Social Worker
- Degree required
- Baccalaureate degree in a CSWE-accredited social work or social welfare program
- Exam
- ASWB (board-prescribed exam; level not named in the rule)
From South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners (Department of Social Services), reviewed 2026-09-30. South Dakota board of social work · BSW license checker
South Dakota BSW Schools Compared
| School | Formats | CSWE | Tuition and fees, 2023-24 | Transfer or completion | Own MSW with advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oglala Lakota CollegeKyle · Public | Campus | CSWE | $2,684 | ||
| University of South DakotaVermillion · Public | Campus | CSWE | $9,432$12,942 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| University of Sioux FallsSioux Falls · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $20,740 | ||
| Augustana UniversitySioux Falls · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $39,190 | 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 South Dakota
4 programs in South Dakota
- FormatOn campusTuition$2,684per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$20,740per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Augustana University
Augustana University school profile · Sioux FallsFormatOn campusTuition$39,190per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWESocial Work (B.S.) at University of South Dakota
University of South Dakota school profile · VermillionFormatOn campusTuition$9,432per 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 South Dakota
By the federal figures for 2023-24, tuition and fees at South Dakota's BSW schools run from $2,684 at Oglala Lakota College to $39,190 at Augustana University; the South Dakota median is $9,432, against $13,212 nationally. Public universities charge residents less: 2 of 4 schools here are public.
| School | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Oglala Lakota College tuitionPublic | $2,684 | $2,684 |
| University of South Dakota tuitionPublic | $9,432 | $12,942 |
| University of Sioux Falls tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $20,740 | $20,740 |
| Augustana University tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $39,190 | $39,190 |
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 Dakota
2 South Dakota schools also run an MSW that admits BSW graduates with advanced standing, usually about a year of study instead of two: Augustana University and University of South 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 South Dakota
By BSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), Oglala Lakota College has South Dakota's largest program, followed by University of Sioux Falls. Size tells you how many classmates and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
| School | BSWs awarded, 2022-23 |
|---|---|
| Oglala Lakota College social work | 6 |
| University of Sioux Falls social work | 5 |
Online BSW Options for South Dakota Residents
Beyond South Dakota'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 Dakota residents and arrange your field practicum in South 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 South Dakota
| Occupation | South Dakota median | U.S. median | Jobs in South Dakota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $51,100 | $59,550 | 2,050 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $38,350 | $45,930 | 830 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $66,870 | $66,270 | 280 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $86,870 | $80,390 | 450 |
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 Dakota Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many BSW Programs Are in South Dakota?
4 schools in South Dakota 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 South Dakota?
Yes. South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners (Department of Social Services) issues the Social Work Associate (SWA), which requires the ASWB (board-prescribed exam; level not named in the rule) exam. It's a license for generalist practice; independent clinical practice needs an MSW, supervised experience and a clinical license.
Can South Dakota 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 Dakota residents and place you in a field practicum in South Dakota. Online BSW programs.
What Is the Most Affordable BSW in South Dakota?
By federal figures for 2023-24, the lowest in-state tuition and fees at a South Dakota public university with a CSWE BSW are at Oglala Lakota College ($2,684) and University of South Dakota ($9,432). Grants lower most students' price further.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 4 South Dakota schools listed, reviewed October 2026
- South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners (Department of Social Services)
- 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