Washington · Verified October 2026
Social Work Programs in Washington
Where Can You Earn a BSW in Washington, and Can You Be Licensed With It?
9 schools in Washington offer a CSWE bachelor of social work, including Eastern Washington University, Heritage University and Pacific Lutheran University. 1 option is online. In-state tuition and fees at Washington public universities start at $5,146 a year (2023-24). Washington licenses social workers only from the master's level.
- 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
- MSW to be licensed hereWashington licenses social workers from the master's level
- CSWE BSW schools
- 9
- BSW options
- 9
- online options
- 1
- lowest public in-state tuition, 2023-24
- $5,146
- BSW license
- None
Does Washington License BSW Graduates?
No: Washington licenses social workers from the MSW
The first license is the Advanced Social Worker Associate. A CSWE BSW shortens the MSW to about a year through advanced standing.
From Washington State Department of Health - Social Worker and Social Worker Associate credentials, reviewed 2026-09-30. Washington board of social work · BSW license checker
Washington BSW Schools Compared
| School | Formats | CSWE | Tuition and fees, 2023-24 | Transfer or completion | Own MSW with advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Washington UniversityCheney · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $8,353$25,892 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| University of WashingtonSeattle · Public | Campus | CSWE | $12,643$41,997 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| UW TacomaTacoma · Public | Hybrid | CSWE | $12,817$42,171 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Heritage UniversityToppenish · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $19,920 | Yes | |
| Walla Walla UniversityCollege Place · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $33,027 | Yes | |
| Saint Martin's UniversityLacey · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $44,210 | ||
| Pacific Lutheran UniversityTacoma · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $50,964 | Yes | |
| Seattle UniversitySeattle · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $54,285 | Yes | Yes |
| Whatcom Community CollegeBellingham · Public | Candidacy | $5,146$11,096 out-of-state | 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 Washington
9 programs in Washington
Bachelor of Social Work, B.S.W. at Heritage University
Heritage University school profile · ToppenishFormatOn campusTuition$21,552per year · with feesAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Arts in Social Welfare (BASW) at University of Washington
University of Washington school profile · SeattleFormatOn campus480-hour practicumTuition$12,643per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus, OnlineTuition$8,353per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatHybridTuition$12,817per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus400-hour practicumTuition$50,964per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus600-hour practicumTuition$44,210per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) at Walla Walla University
Walla Walla University school profile · College PlaceFormatOn campusTuition$33,027per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus450-hour practicumTuition$54,285per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Applied Science in Social Work (BASSW) at Whatcom Community College
Whatcom Community College school profile · BellinghamFormat–429-hour practicumTuition$5,146per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCandidacy
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 Washington
By the federal figures for 2023-24, tuition and fees at Washington's BSW schools run from $5,146 at Whatcom Community College to $54,285 at Seattle University; the Washington median is $19,920, against $13,212 nationally. Public universities charge residents less: 4 of 9 schools here are public.
| School | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Whatcom Community College tuitionPublic | $5,146 | $11,096 |
| Eastern Washington University tuitionPublic | $8,353 | $25,892 |
| University of Washington tuitionPublic | $12,643 | $41,997 |
| UW Tacoma tuitionPublic | $12,817 | $42,171 |
| Heritage University tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $19,920 | $19,920 |
| Walla Walla University tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $33,027 | $33,027 |
| Saint Martin's University tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $44,210 | $44,210 |
| Pacific Lutheran University tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $50,964 | $50,964 |
| Seattle University tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $54,285 | $54,285 |
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 Washington
7 Washington schools also run an MSW that admits BSW graduates with advanced standing, usually about a year of study instead of two: Eastern Washington University, Heritage University, Pacific Lutheran University, Seattle University, University of Washington and UW Tacoma 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 Washington
By BSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), Heritage University has Washington's largest program, followed by University of Washington and Eastern Washington University. Size tells you how many classmates and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
Online BSW Options for Washington Residents
Beyond Washington's own schools, 131 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Washington residents and arrange your field practicum in Washington.
| 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 Washington
| Occupation | Washington median | U.S. median | Jobs in Washington |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $74,480 | $59,550 | 10,720 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $54,770 | $45,930 | 7,590 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $82,750 | $66,270 | 2,150 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $103,000 | $80,390 | 3,650 |
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 Washington Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many BSW Programs Are in Washington?
9 schools in Washington run a BSW that CSWE lists as accredited or in candidacy, 9 options in all, each checked on the school's own site in October 2026.
Can You Be Licensed With a BSW in Washington?
No. Washington licenses social workers from the master's level (the Advanced Social Worker Associate), so you'd need an MSW to be licensed. Many BSW jobs, such as case management and child welfare roles, don't require a license; a CSWE BSW also shortens the MSW through advanced standing.
Can Washington Residents Earn a BSW Online?
Yes. 1 Washington option is offered online, and 131 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states; confirm each school can enroll Washington residents and place you in a field practicum in Washington. Online BSW programs.
What Is the Most Affordable BSW in Washington?
By federal figures for 2023-24, the lowest in-state tuition and fees at a Washington public university with a CSWE BSW are at Whatcom Community College ($5,146), Eastern Washington University ($8,353) and University of Washington ($12,643). Grants lower most students' price further.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 9 Washington schools listed, reviewed October 2026
- Washington State Department of Health - Social Worker and Social Worker Associate credentials
- 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