Virginia · Verified October 2026
Social Work Programs in Virginia
Where Can You Earn a BSW in Virginia, and Can You Be Licensed With It?
14 schools in Virginia offer a CSWE bachelor of social work, including Batten University, Christopher Newport University and Eastern Mennonite University. 3 options are online. In-state tuition and fees at Virginia public universities start at $9,755 a year (2023-24). Virginia 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
- 14
- BSW options
- 16
- online options
- 3
- lowest public in-state tuition, 2023-24
- $9,755
- BSW license
- LBSW
Does Virginia License BSW Graduates?
Yes: the Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)
- License
- Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)
- Degree required
- Baccalaureate degree in social work (see 18VAC140-20 education requirements)
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
From Virginia Board of Social Work (Department of Health Professions), reviewed 2026-09-30. Virginia board of social work · BSW license checker
Virginia BSW Schools Compared
| School | Formats | CSWE | Tuition and fees, 2023-24 | Transfer or completion | Own MSW with advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia State UniversityPetersburg · Public | Campus | CSWE | $9,755$22,006 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Norfolk State UniversityNorfolk · Public | Campus | CSWE | $9,910$21,412 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Radford UniversityRadford · Public | Campus | CSWE | $12,286$25,185 out-of-state | Yes | |
| James Madison UniversityHarrisonburg · Public | Campus | CSWE | $13,576$30,790 out-of-state | Yes | |
| George Mason UniversityFairfax · Public | Campus | CSWE | $13,815$39,397 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Virginia Union UniversityRichmond · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $14,880 | Yes | |
| Longwood UniversityFarmville · Public | Campus | CSWE | $15,200$27,410 out-of-state | ||
| Christopher Newport UniversityNewport News · Public | Campus | CSWE | $16,351$30,988 out-of-state | ||
| VCURichmond · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $16,458$39,042 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| Liberty UniversityLynchburg · Private nonprofit | Campus, Online | CSWE | $21,222 | Yes | Yes |
| Mary Baldwin UniversityStaunton · Private nonprofit | Campus, Online | CSWE | $33,157 | Yes | |
| Batten UniversityVirginia Beach · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $36,960 | ||
| Ferrum CollegeFerrum · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $38,320 | ||
| Eastern Mennonite UniversityHarrisonburg · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $41,860 |
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 Virginia
16 programs in Virginia
Residential Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) at Liberty University
Liberty University school profile · LynchburgFormatOn campusTuition$25,390per yearAccreditationCSWEOnline Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) at Liberty University
Liberty University school profile · LynchburgFormatOnlineTuition$410per creditAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus, Online400-hour practicumTuition$16,458per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus450-hour practicumTuition$13,815per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$9,910per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Science in Social Work (B.S.W.) at Radford University
Radford University school profile · RadfordFormatOn campusTuition$8,894per year · resident rateAccreditationCSWEBachelor's Degree in Social Work (B.S.W.) at James Madison University
James Madison University school profile · HarrisonburgFormatOn campusTuition$14,768per year · resident rate · with feesAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$17,977per termAccreditationCSWE
Social Work (BSW), Online at Mary Baldwin University
Mary Baldwin University school profile · StauntonFormatOnlineTuition$460per creditAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Virginia State University
Virginia State University school profile · PetersburgFormatOn campusTuition$9,755per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$15,200per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor's Degree in Social Work at Christopher Newport University
Christopher Newport University school profile · Newport NewsFormatOn campusTuition$8,808per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWESocial Work at Eastern Mennonite University
Eastern Mennonite University school profile · HarrisonburgFormatOn campus430-hour practicumTuition$41,860per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Virginia Union University
Virginia Union University school profile · RichmondFormatOn campusTuition$14,880per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWESocial Work at Batten University
Batten University school profile · Virginia BeachFormatOn campusTuition$38,776per yearAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$38,320per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · 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 Virginia
By the federal figures for 2023-24, tuition and fees at Virginia's BSW schools run from $9,755 at Virginia State University to $41,860 at Eastern Mennonite University; the Virginia median is $15,200, against $13,212 nationally. Public universities charge residents less: 8 of 14 schools here are public.
| School | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia State University tuitionPublic | $9,755 | $22,006 |
| Norfolk State University tuitionPublic | $9,910 | $21,412 |
| Radford University tuitionPublic | $12,286 | $25,185 |
| James Madison University tuitionPublic | $13,576 | $30,790 |
| George Mason University tuitionPublic | $13,815 | $39,397 |
| Virginia Union University tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $14,880 | $14,880 |
| Longwood University tuitionPublic | $15,200 | $27,410 |
| Christopher Newport University tuitionPublic | $16,351 | $30,988 |
| VCU tuitionPublic | $16,458 | $39,042 |
| Liberty University tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $21,222 | $21,222 |
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 Virginia
7 Virginia schools also run an MSW that admits BSW graduates with advanced standing, usually about a year of study instead of two: George Mason University, Liberty University, Norfolk State University, Radford University, VCU and Virginia State University and 1 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 Virginia
By BSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), Liberty University has Virginia's largest program, followed by VCU and George Mason University. Size tells you how many classmates and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
Online BSW Options for Virginia Residents
Beyond Virginia'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 Virginia residents and arrange your field practicum in Virginia.
| 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 Virginia
| Occupation | Virginia median | U.S. median | Jobs in Virginia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $61,330 | $59,550 | 9,410 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $43,450 | $45,930 | 10,670 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $58,820 | $66,270 | 2,730 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $94,970 | $80,390 | 3,300 |
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 Virginia Cities
- BSW programs near Blacksburg3 campus programs within 50 miles
- BSW programs near Burke9 campus programs within 50 miles
- BSW programs near Fredericksburg3 campus programs within 50 miles
- BSW programs near Richmond3 campus programs within 50 miles
- BSW programs near Woodbridge6 campus programs within 50 miles
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many BSW Programs Are in Virginia?
14 schools in Virginia run a BSW that CSWE lists as accredited or in candidacy, 16 options in all, each checked on the school's own site in October 2026.
Can You Be Licensed With a BSW in Virginia?
Yes. Virginia Board of Social Work (Department of Health Professions) 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 Virginia Residents Earn a BSW Online?
Yes. 3 Virginia options are offered online, and 129 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states; confirm each school can enroll Virginia residents and place you in a field practicum in Virginia. Online BSW programs.
What Is the Most Affordable BSW in Virginia?
By federal figures for 2023-24, the lowest in-state tuition and fees at a Virginia public university with a CSWE BSW are at Virginia State University ($9,755), Norfolk State University ($9,910) and Radford University ($12,286). Grants lower most students' price further.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 14 Virginia schools listed, reviewed October 2026
- Virginia Board of Social Work (Department of Health Professions)
- 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