12 Best BSW Programs in Pennsylvania

Want to pursue a BSW degree in Pennsylvania? You’ve made a smart choice that will boost your social work career. Pennsylvania excels in social work education and gives you advantages that go beyond just location.

Pennsylvania’s BSW programs connect you to prestigious medical centers like UPMC and Penn Medicine. This creates many more chances for internships and jobs. On top of that, these programs can qualify you for Advanced Standing MSW programs. You’ll save time and money as you advance in your education. The state pays social workers well too – healthcare social workers earn a median annual wage of $63,010, while mental health professionals make around $63,230.

The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency helps make your education affordable. They provide state grants up to $5,750 each year to full-time students. The cost of living stays lower here compared to nearby cities like New York and Washington, D.C. Students can choose between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, with 12 top BSW programs available across the Keystone State.

1. Temple University

Temple University is the top institution for students looking for BSW programs in Pennsylvania. The BSW program sits within the Barnett College of Public Health and prepares students for entry-level social work careers. Students learn to focus on social justice and community service.

Program highlights

Temple’s BSW curriculum tackles institutional racism, health disparities, and poverty in Philadelphia’s urban environment. Students become experts at handling social problems. These include domestic violence, elder care abuse, housing discrimination, homelessness, and substance abuse.

The program shines through:

• Real-life experience comes from field practicum courses with placements at more than 500 human service organizations
• A diverse student body adds richness to classroom interactions in theory and practice courses
• The nationally recognized faculty brings expertise in aging, children and families, disability, incarceration, LGBTQ health, mental health, and substance abuse

The School of Social Work shows steadfast dedication to removing social, political, and economic injustices for disadvantaged populations.

Location and setting

Students at Temple’s Main Campus in Philadelphia learn in an urban laboratory. They get firsthand exposure to social issues. The urban setting creates exceptional chances to participate with diverse communities. Students develop cultural competence they need for effective social work practice.

Philadelphia’s environment helps students combine smoothly their classroom learning with direct community work. This prepares them for the complexities of real-life social work.

Tuition and financial aid

Annual in-state tuition begins at $19,608, while out-of-state students pay about $35,232. The total cost reaches $40,744 for in-state and $56,667 for out-of-state students when thinking about overall expenses.

Temple provides substantial financial support:

• Students receive over $100 million in scholarships each year
• About 91% of students get financial aid
• Need-based aid goes to 70% of eligible first-year students
• Merit-based scholarships ranging from $1,000 to full tuition help more than half of all students

First-year students receive an average need-based scholarship of $19,167. Temple meets 60% of students’ financial aid needs. This makes Temple’s BSW program both prestigious and available to many aspiring social workers.

2. Millersville University

Millersville University stands out among Pennsylvania’s top BSW programs. The university gives students a flexible path to social work careers. This CSWE-accredited program helps students who have associate degrees or significant college credits move smoothly into bachelor’s-level social work education.

Online flexibility

The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work program at Millersville offers students a 100% online course structure. Working professionals can take 2-3 courses each semester in this part-time program. While most coursework happens online, some classes feature evening sessions that let students interact while they learn.

Students build their knowledge step by step through a well-planned curriculum that brings together different aspects of social work practice. The program reviews applications right after submission and accepts them on a rolling basis. Students with associate degrees in Human Services, Social Services, or similar fields will find this program perfect to advance their careers.

Field placement support

Field education serves as the key component of Millersville’s BSW experience. Students develop professional skills through hands-on service learning. Online Programs Student Support Specialists guide students throughout their academic experience.

Students work with an Online Programs Admissions Counselor from their first question until acceptance. The counselor handles transcript reviews and confirms enrollment. Qualified candidates can choose international field placements while faculty support continues through email and digital platforms. These real-life experiences prepare students to start their professional practice right after graduation.

Tuition and scholarships

Millersville offers great value when it comes to tuition. In-state students pay $11,266 and out-of-state students pay $22,840. These rates beat national averages of $12,422 and $29,767.

Students can apply for several merit-based scholarships:

• Millersville Distinguished Scholar Award: Up to $4,000 annually for qualifying in-state students
• Black & Gold Achievement Scholarship: Maximum $3,000 yearly for academically qualified in-state students
• EPPIIC Scholars Award: Up to $2,000 per year for in-state students meeting academic criteria

Students must keep a 2.0 GPA and take 12+ credits each semester to keep their scholarships. The university’s financial aid office helps students find and understand their funding options. This BSW program gives students both strong academics and affordable education.

3. University of Pittsburgh

The University of Pittsburgh stands out as a top choice for students who want to pursue BSW programs in Pennsylvania. The School of Social Work has earned national recognition for its academic excellence and groundbreaking research.

Academic reputation

Pitt’s social work program has built an impressive track record, ranking #12 in the 2024 US News and World Report rankings of social work graduate programs. This achievement puts it in the top 4% of MSW programs nationwide among 319 ranked institutions. The university leads Pennsylvania in social work education and holds the #40 spot nationally out of 419 schools, landing it in the top 10%.

The program’s strength goes beyond just rankings. Pitt consistently produces qualified professionals in the field. The 2021-2022 academic year saw 22 students earn their bachelor’s degrees in social work. That same year, 184 students completed their master’s degrees, making Pitt the 46th most popular choice nationwide for social work master’s students.

Urban opportunities

Students thrive in Pittsburgh’s urban environment with easy access to field placements and career development resources. The city location creates natural opportunities to build professional networks and work with local communities.

Graduates develop practical skills through hands-on experience with urban social challenges. This real-life exposure complements their classroom learning and prepares them for careers in social work settings of all types.

Tuition and aid

Pennsylvania residents at the School of Social Work pay $26,876 for full-time study over two terms, which breaks down to $1,079 per credit for part-time students. Out-of-state students pay more at $39,112 for full-time study or $1,595 per credit.

Pitt helps make education affordable through several financial support options:

• First-time applicants with a minimum 3.4 GPA get priority review for admission and scholarships
• First-year scholarship recipients keep their awards for the second year if they maintain good academic standing
• Students can apply through June 15th, and award decisions roll out continuously

Undergraduate borrowers typically graduate with $24,250 in federal loan debt. However, Pitt’s strong reputation and generous financial aid packages make it a smart investment for future social workers.

4. West Chester University

West Chester University’s BSW program has been around since 1970. The program stands out among Pennsylvania’s social work programs because of its strong community ties and hands-on approach. Students learn within the College of Education and Social Work through a complete curriculum that prepares them as entry-level generalist social workers.

Community partnerships

The university builds strong relationships with local organizations to create valuable learning spaces for students. Students connect with non-profit organizations and government agencies throughout the region through the Center for Community Engagement & Social Impact. These partnerships help students apply their classroom knowledge in ground settings.

WCU goes beyond standard internships. The university builds two-way relationships through service-learning courses and community research. An Office of External Relations finds and grows mutually beneficial alliances that strengthen WCU’s position as an anchor institution. The Center for Community Solutions adds value by tackling community needs through hands-on learning projects.

Suburban setting

The university sits in West Chester, a large Philadelphia suburb. This location gives students a perfect mix of suburban peace and city access. The BSW program started at the main campus and grew to include Philadelphia in 2014, giving students more choices.

This location creates unique benefits for social work education. Students learn in both city and rural service settings, which prepares them for different work environments after graduation. The program aims to build knowledge about social welfare needs in complex urban and rural areas.

Affordability

West Chester University gives BSW students great value for their money:

• In-state tuition of $10,423 annually
• Some of the lowest tuition rates in the region
• Several scholarship options available, including:
  • DeBaptiste Scholarship
  • Dean’s Scholarship
  • 10% tuition discount for Philadelphia location students

WCUPA ranks as Pennsylvania’s best value school for students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social work. This mix of quality education and affordable costs makes WCU a smart choice for future social work students.

5. Penn State University

Penn State University stands out among BSW programs in Pennsylvania. The university combines robust research capabilities with worldwide networking opportunities and multiple financial support options.

Research resources

Students at Penn State Libraries have access to roughly 7 million records that include books, journals, and audiovisuals. The university equips social work students with specialized research tools. Social Services Abstracts helps students learn about current research in social work and human services. Sociological Abstracts indexes international literature in sociology and related disciplines.

The university provides specialized databases that go beyond traditional resources. PsycINFO covers psychology-related content, while PubMed focuses on biomedical literature. The PAIS Index helps students navigate public policy issues. The Social Science Research Institute (SSRI) brings together researchers from different fields to tackle critical human and social problems at local, national, and international levels.

Alumni network

Penn State boasts one of the largest alumni networks in higher education that includes more than 775,000 alumni worldwide. The Penn State Alumni Association received the 2024 Alumni Association Inclusive Excellence Award and has connected graduates to the university and each other for over 150 years.

LionLink gives students direct access to fellow Penn Staters who share career guidance, resume advice, and industry insights. This worldwide community grows each day and supports graduates with lifelong professional development and social activities.

Tuition and aid

The university’s tuition costs $21,098 for in-state and $43,490 for out-of-state students. Total costs reach $41,908 for Pennsylvania residents and $63,054 for non-residents after adding all fees.

Penn State offers substantial financial help:

• 37% of first-year students receive need-based financial aid
• Students get an average need-based scholarship or grant of $8,161
• The university meets 75% of students’ financial aid needs

Federal loan recipients graduate with a median debt of $25,000 and make monthly payments around $265.

6. Bryn Mawr College

Bryn Mawr College stands out among Pennsylvania’s BSW programs with its distinctive approach to social work education. This historic institution has managed to keep its steadfast dedication to producing thoughtful, well-rounded social work professionals since its founding in 1915.

Liberal arts focus

Bryn Mawr’s Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research (GSSWSR) excels in fine teaching, individual attention, and high academic standards within a liberal arts tradition. Students experience an integrated educational journey that lets them explore social work through multiple disciplinary lenses. The college’s resources benefit students while faculty members encourage projects beyond traditional academic boundaries. This interdisciplinary approach creates graduates who bring fresh viewpoints to their social work practice.

Feminist perspective

The college’s social work education uniquely combines scholarship, practice, and collaboration within social welfare fields. Bryn Mawr’s distinctive feminist orientation prepares students to tackle social issues with deep awareness of gender dynamics and power structures. The college’s PhD students collaborate with faculty members on special projects and groundbreaking research that crosses disciplinary boundaries.

Tuition and scholarships

Bryn Mawr provides substantial financial support:

• 100% of 2024-2025 admitted students who showed interest in institutional aid received scholarships
• Aid awards averaged $45,000
• MSS unit (one semester course) costs $5,580
• Students need 18 courses to complete the MSS degree

The Social Work Scholarship remains open to international students, and federal loan applications aren’t required to qualify. The college awards scholarships throughout the admissions cycle from August 1 to April 15. Students typically fund their degrees through a mix of Bryn Mawr scholarships and federal student aid.

7. Shippensburg University

Shippensburg University’s distinguished BSW program has managed to keep continuous accreditation since 1974. The Council on Social Work Education started accrediting baccalaureate programs at that time. The program received full reaffirmation for eight years in 2018, which shows its steadfast dedication to excellence.

Rural/urban mix

The BSW program at Shippensburg gives students field placement opportunities in a variety of settings. These placements span both rural communities and urban environments. Students get detailed exposure to different social work contexts. They work with many populations during their training and prepare themselves for practice in different geographic settings.

Affordability

Shippensburg is an economical choice for BSW students with a total program cost of $25,772. The program has a 94% financial aid rate, which makes education available to most applicants. Students benefit from a welcoming 93% acceptance rate, with about 6,000 applications each year.

Field education

Field education is the signature teaching method at Shippensburg. Students complete a strong 450-hour field experience in their final semester through courses SWK 460, 461, and 462. The BSW Field Education Director helps students pick placements that match their interests. Students can choose from:

• Children and youth services, healthcare, and mental health
• Drug and alcohol services, corrections, and domestic violence
• Residential youth care, education, and aging services

Shippensburg stands out by running its own social service agency—the Shippensburg Community Resource Coalition. This makes it the only institution in Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education that provides this hands-on learning environment.

8. Seton Hill University

Seton Hill University has provided faith-based education since 1883. Students looking for BSW programs in Pennsylvania will find this private Catholic institution blends traditional values with modern social work education.

Catholic values

Seton Hill’s foundation in Judeo-Christian values shapes students to become critical, creative, and ethical thinkers. The university follows Elizabeth Ann Seton’s educational philosophy that emphasizes service-based transformation. This ethical groundwork helps social work students tackle complex societal challenges with cultural awareness and compassion.

Small class sizes

Students benefit from individual attention with a student-faculty ratio of 12:1. The university’s intimate 200-acre campus serves around 1,500 undergraduate students. The test-optional admissions policy makes the university available to students from various backgrounds who want to pursue social work careers.

Tuition and aid

Annual tuition at Seton Hill runs $44,424, while total costs reach $61,278. Students have access to substantial financial support:

• 99% of students get financial assistance throughout their Seton Hill journey
• First-year students receive an average need-based scholarship of $33,608
• Need-based aid goes to 75% of first-year students

Seton Hill’s FastForward Programs let students earn both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in less time while saving money.

9. Kutztown University

Kutztown University takes a distinctive approach to BSW education. The program strikes a perfect balance between theory and hands-on experience in a variety of community settings. Students learn to address social needs in different environments through a well-rounded curriculum.

Rural service learning

Kutztown’s BSW program gives students the ability to help individuals and communities in rural, urban, and suburban areas. Students learn using a person-in-environment framework with a global outlook that values human diversity. Graduates can deliver services based on anti-oppressive and anti-racist principles that improve lives locally and globally. The curriculum focuses on building fair social, racial, economic, and environmental conditions.

Tuition and aid

The 2025-26 academic year at Kutztown costs $11,600 for in-state students, which beats the national average of $12,422. Students from other states pay $16,474, much less than the $29,767 national average. The university offers more than 500 awards based on different criteria, and 80% of students get financial aid. New students receive an average need-based scholarship of $8,561.

Student support

Kutztown offers complete student assistance through dedicated offices that link students with vital campus and community resources. The Office of Student Assistance provides customized care and helps students handle academic, personal, or emotional challenges. This office works together with counseling services, academic advising, and faculty support to help students succeed. Students can access tutoring services, writing centers and academic enrichment programs.

10. Carlow University

Carlow University’s BSW program reflects the institution’s rich heritage as a 94-year old Catholic Mercy institution. The program stands out as one of Pennsylvania’s most distinctive BSW programs that provides values-based social work education.

Catholic tradition

The university’s Catholic identity stems from its founders, the Sisters of Mercy. The story begins in 1831 when Catherine McAuley created the Sisters of Mercy in Dublin, Ireland to help people affected by poverty, illness, and lack of education. Seven Sisters made the trip from Carlow, Ireland to Pittsburgh in 1843 and ended up founding Mount Mercy College (now Carlow University) in 1929. The Catholic intellectual tradition remains the cornerstone of the university’s educational philosophy.

Urban placements

Students in the BSW program can specialize in healthcare social work, forensic social work, crisis and trauma, and restorative justice. They gain practical experience through classroom learning and professionally supervised internships at more than 300 approved field sites. The faculty members, who are experienced social workers, help students become culturally humble practitioners ready to serve diverse communities.

Tuition and scholarships

Merit scholarships at Carlow depend on high school GPA:

• Trustee Scholarship: $22,000 (GPA: 3.900+)
• Presidential Scholarship: $19,000 (GPA: 3.600-3.899)
• Provost Scholarship: $16,000 (GPA: 3.100-3.599)

Students can also receive the Catholic High School Award ($2,500 annually) and Visit Award ($1,000 annually). The online BSW program costs about $495 per credit hour.

11. Chatham University

Chatham University offers BSW students a unique educational path that combines sustainability principles with women’s leadership traditions in Pennsylvania.

Sustainability focus

The Falk School’s Bachelor of Sustainability program equips social work students with hands-on environmental knowledge. Students gain practical skills and create real-world accomplishments that appeal to future employers.

Women’s leadership

Chatham began its journey as Pennsylvania Female College in 1869 and has championed women’s leadership and gender equity for more than 150 years. The university ranks among the top three schools nationwide that shape future women leaders. The university’s steadfast dedication shows through its Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship, Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics, and Women’s Institute. While now fully gender-inclusive, Chatham preserves its rich heritage of women’s leadership both in and outside the classroom.

Tuition and aid

Chatham’s undergraduate tuition stands at $43,518, which falls below the national average of $46,950. Students living on campus can expect these costs:

• Technology fee: $508
• College fee: $600
• Housing: $6,800
• Meal plan: $6,800
• Total: $58,226

The university supports 53% of first-year students with need-based aid of $1,942 on average, plus non-need scholarships averaging $9,585. Students receive 82% of their financial needs from Chatham, while the median federal loan debt at graduation reaches $23,250.

12. Messiah University

Messiah University offers a distinctive BSW program that naturally combines professional social work training with Christian principles. The university has gained national recognition because it successfully balances academic rigor with faith integration.

Christian perspective

“Christ Preeminent” serves as the university’s motto and creates the foundation for every student’s experience. Faculty members weave faith into practice throughout the curriculum. They help students understand how their spiritual beliefs shape their approach to helping others. This combination creates a unique learning environment where Christian values and social work ethics work together perfectly.

Service learning

Service learning at Messiah extends beyond theoretical concepts. Students start with introductory courses that blend classroom instruction with practical experience. Their journey continues as they complete over 600 hours of community involvement with at least three social service agencies. The Agape Center helps students connect with opportunities at local, national, and international levels.

Tuition and aid

Messiah’s basic tuition for 2025-2026 is $42,540, plus $1,040 in additional fees. Students pay $56,345 in total when including housing and meals. The good news is that average financial aid packages of $43,988 reduce many students’ annual costs to about $12,357. A remarkable 72% of first-year students receive need-based financial assistance. This makes their faith-based education more available to aspiring students.

Take the Next Step

Picking the right BSW program needs you to think about many factors. These range from location and specialization to cost and teaching approach. Pennsylvania’s social work education offers amazing variety in its digital world. Programs spread across big cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh to beautiful small towns and rural areas. You’ll find a program that fits your career dreams and personal values. Temple’s city life or Messiah’s Christian point of view- there’s something for everyone.

These Pennsylvania programs shine when it comes to affordable education. Schools meet 60-80% of proven financial needs. Every school offers scholarship chances. West Chester University stands out as a budget-friendly choice. Even pricier schools like Bryn Mawr and Chatham give great financial aid packages that make quality education possible. Many programs also let you speed up your path to MSW degrees. This helps you save time and money during your educational experience.

Each of these 12 BSW programs brings something special to social work education. Penn State gives you amazing research tools. Temple focuses on social justice in city environments. Millersville offers complete online flexibility that working professionals need. Each program shapes you differently through varied field work, community ties, and teaching methods.

Your path to becoming a social worker starts with the right educational base. Pennsylvania’s varied BSW choices help you find a program that matches your situation, career goals, and learning priorities. This complete overview lets you explore specific programs with confidence. Now you can take your first step toward a rewarding career that helps others and creates positive social change.