Wisconsin · Verified October 2026
Social Work Programs in Wisconsin
Where Can You Earn a BSW in Wisconsin, and Can You Be Licensed With It?
16 schools in Wisconsin offer a CSWE bachelor of social work, including Alverno College, Carthage College and Concordia University-Wisconsin. 4 options are online. In-state tuition and fees at Wisconsin public universities start at $8,212 a year (2023-24). Wisconsin licenses BSW graduates as the Social Worker (SW).
- 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: SW (ASWB Bachelors)Or an MSW in about a year with advanced standing
- CSWE BSW schools
- 16
- BSW options
- 18
- online options
- 4
- lowest public in-state tuition, 2023-24
- $8,212
- BSW license
- SW
Does Wisconsin License BSW Graduates?
Yes: the Social Worker (SW)
- License
- Social Worker (SW)
- Degree required
- Bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program, or completion of the Social Worker Training Certificate (SWTC)
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
From Wisconsin Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board - Social Work Section (Department of Safety and Professional Services), reviewed 2026-09-30. Wisconsin board of social work · BSW license checker
Wisconsin BSW Schools Compared
| School | Formats | CSWE | Tuition and fees, 2023-24 | Transfer or completion | Own MSW with advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-OshkoshOshkosh · Public | Campus | CSWE | $8,212$16,125 out-of-state | ||
| University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterWhitewater · Public | CSWE | $8,250$17,916 out-of-state | Yes | ||
| University of Wisconsin-Green BayGreen Bay · Public | Campus | CSWE | $8,342$16,929 out-of-state | Yes | |
| University of Wisconsin-SuperiorSuperior · Public | Campus | CSWE | $8,487$16,400 out-of-state | ||
| University of Wisconsin-River FallsRiver Falls · Public | Campus | CSWE | $8,606$16,887 out-of-state | Yes | |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens PointStevens Point · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $8,834$17,854 out-of-state | ||
| University of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireEau Claire · Public | Campus | CSWE | $9,277$18,516 out-of-state | ||
| UW-MilwaukeeMilwaukee · Public | Campus | CSWE | $10,020$22,020 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| UW-MadisonMadison · Public | Campus | CSWE | $11,205$40,603 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Viterbo UniversityLa Crosse · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $32,350 | Yes | |
| Alverno CollegeMilwaukee · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $32,794 | ||
| Marian UniversityFond Du Lac · Private nonprofit | Campus, Online | CSWE | $33,000 | ||
| Concordia University-WisconsinMequon · Private nonprofit | Campus, Online | CSWE | $34,250 | Yes | Yes |
| Mount Mary UniversityMilwaukee · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $34,390 | Yes | |
| Carthage CollegeKenosha · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $36,500 | ||
| Herzing UniversityMadison · Private nonprofit | Online | Candidacy | $13,420 | Yes | 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 Wisconsin
18 programs in Wisconsin
- FormatOn campusTuition$10,020per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire school profile · Eau ClaireFormatOn campusTuition$9,277per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$11,205per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater school profile · WhitewaterFormat–Tuition$8,250per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay school profile · Green BayFormatOn campusTuition$8,342per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$8,212per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus450-hour practicumTuition$8,487per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Social Work (BA or BS) at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point school profile · Stevens PointFormatOn campus, Online400-hour practicumTuition$8,834per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus, OnlineTuition$33,000per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$36,500per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work at University of Wisconsin-River Falls
University of Wisconsin-River Falls school profile · River FallsFormatOn campusTuition$8,606per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$32,794per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus400-hour practicumTuition$34,250per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnline400-hour practicumTuition$34,250per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus450-hour practicumTuition$34,390per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$32,350per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- Format–Tuition$32,350per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnline400-hour practicumTuition$530per creditAccreditationCandidacy
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 Wisconsin
By the federal figures for 2023-24, tuition and fees at Wisconsin's BSW schools run from $8,212 at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh to $36,500 at Carthage College; the Wisconsin median is $10,020, against $13,212 nationally. Public universities charge residents less: 9 of 16 schools here are public.
| School | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh tuitionPublic | $8,212 | $16,125 |
| University of Wisconsin-Whitewater tuitionPublic | $8,250 | $17,916 |
| University of Wisconsin-Green Bay tuitionPublic | $8,342 | $16,929 |
| University of Wisconsin-Superior tuitionPublic | $8,487 | $16,400 |
| University of Wisconsin-River Falls tuitionPublic | $8,606 | $16,887 |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point tuitionPublic | $8,834 | $17,854 |
| University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire tuitionPublic | $9,277 | $18,516 |
| UW-Milwaukee tuitionPublic | $10,020 | $22,020 |
| UW-Madison tuitionPublic | $11,205 | $40,603 |
| Herzing University tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $13,420 | $13,420 |
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 Wisconsin
7 Wisconsin schools also run an MSW that admits BSW graduates with advanced standing, usually about a year of study instead of two: Concordia University-Wisconsin, Herzing University, Mount Mary University, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, UW-Madison and UW-Milwaukee 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 Wisconsin
By BSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), UW-Milwaukee has Wisconsin's largest program, followed by University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and UW-Madison. Size tells you how many classmates and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
Online BSW Options for Wisconsin Residents
Beyond Wisconsin's own schools, 128 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Wisconsin residents and arrange your field practicum in Wisconsin.
| 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 Wisconsin
| Occupation | Wisconsin median | U.S. median | Jobs in Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $59,280 | $59,550 | 5,710 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $47,500 | $45,930 | 7,750 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $82,130 | $80,390 | 3,580 |
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 Wisconsin Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many BSW Programs Are in Wisconsin?
16 schools in Wisconsin run a BSW that CSWE lists as accredited or in candidacy, 18 options in all, each checked on the school's own site in October 2026.
Can You Be Licensed With a BSW in Wisconsin?
Yes. Wisconsin Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board - Social Work Section (Department of Safety and Professional Services) issues the Social Worker (SW), 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 Wisconsin Residents Earn a BSW Online?
Yes. 4 Wisconsin options are offered online, and 128 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states; confirm each school can enroll Wisconsin residents and place you in a field practicum in Wisconsin. Online BSW programs.
What Is the Most Affordable BSW in Wisconsin?
By federal figures for 2023-24, the lowest in-state tuition and fees at a Wisconsin public university with a CSWE BSW are at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh ($8,212), University of Wisconsin-Whitewater ($8,250) and University of Wisconsin-Green Bay ($8,342). Grants lower most students' price further.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 16 Wisconsin schools listed, reviewed October 2026
- Wisconsin Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board - Social Work Section (Department of Safety and Professional 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