Looking for the best Bachelor's Degree in Social Work in Virginia? You should consider these top-tier institutions and jobs in the social work field.
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In addition to improving your academic life, the best degrees in Virginia for social work can help you land a job in a field of your dreams and make it possible to advance in your career. Bachelor's students are well-prepared to pursue a variety of careers, but it’s imperative that bachelor's degree candidates succeed in order to move forward in their chosen profession.
Moreover, an individual with a bachelor's degree earns approximately $1,334 per week. This translates to approximately $5,336 a month and $69,368 annually.
Social Work Bachelor's Programs for You
Working and Living in Virginia in the Social Work Profession
A social work degree program is an intensive, hands-on experience for students who want to make a difference in the world. Common courses include introduction to social work practice, policies and programs in human services, advanced social work practice, and intersections of diversity. In addition to classroom learning, students will participate in research projects, community service opportunities, internships, and field education as part of their degree program.
The median salary in Virginia is $47,200 per year, or $22.69 per hour. This holds true for the state's 3,753,230 total employees. In general, the lowest 10% of earners earn $23,190 annually. The highest 10% earn $125,820 per year. The following are statistics for social workers in Virginia.
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MERIC ranks Virginia as number 15 out of 51 states (including Washington D.C.) on its cost of living index. As a result, the cost of living index measures the national average cost of living against specific states. As a whole, the U.S. average is set at 100, and every location in the U.S. has either a cost above (higher) or lower (lower) than the U.S. average. On a 100-point scale, Virginia has a cost of living index of 103.2, which is 3.2% higher than the national average. Degree-seekers interested in relocating to Virginia may be interested in the following cost of living comparison.
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The profession of social work is expected to change by 5.8 over the next 10 years. There is a projected change in employment from 71,400 in 2020 to 75,500 in 2030 from the BLS. The typical entry-level education for these positions is a bachelor's degree. The most common job titles are:
A leader in hybrid education, Virginia Commonwealth University supports in-person and online study across 61 bachelor's degree programs. The school's bachelor's degree in social work prepares students for the demands of a social work career through rigorous study, relevant coursework, and other learning opportunities. Students can apply their learnings to their careers or towards a graduate degree.
The college supports students through institutional resources, including career services and academic advising. Prospective students can connect with financial aid counselors to explore funding opportunities, determine eligibility, and apply for student loans. On average, college undergraduates receive an average of $10,295 in financial aid per person.
Virginia Commonwealth University at a Glance:
Type of school: Public, 4-year or above
Admission Rate: 87%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 18-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $12,177
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $32,825
Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $37,500
Average Tuition
In-state
$12,179
Out-of-state
$32,827
Retention Rate
83%
Admission Rate
91%
Students Enrolled
29,070
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
88%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#2 Bachelor’s Degrees in Social Work in Virginia
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
4 years
Online + Campus
Located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, James Madison University supports both in-person and remote study opportunities across 48 bachelor's degree programs. The school's social work major equips students with field-relevant skills and knowledge through foundational and advanced coursework and experiential learning opportunities. Graduates can enter the workforce or pursue further education, such as a master's degree.
Students benefit from a range of resources throughout their studies, including career services and academic advising. Students seeking to defray the costs of their degree can meet with a financial aid counselor to discuss funding opportunities and determine eligibility. The college's undergraduate cohort receives an average of $8,458 in financial aid award package, per person.
James Madison University at a Glance:
Type of school: Public, 4-year or above
Admission Rate: 77%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 16-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $7,250
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $23,564
Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $46,100
Average Tuition
In-state
$7,250
Out-of-state
$23,564
Retention Rate
89%
Admission Rate
80%
Students Enrolled
21,594
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
96%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#3 Bachelor’s Degrees in Social Work in Virginia
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA
4 years
Online + Campus
George Mason University, a public, 4-year or above college located in Fairfax, Virginia, supports both in-person and online learning across 70 bachelor's degree programs. The school's bachelor of social work (BSW) equips students with the skills needed to succeed as social workers. Students in the social work program can also pivot to earning a master's degree after their undergraduate studies.
The institution connects students with success-oriented resources, such as career services and academic advising, throughout their studies. Prospective students may be eligible for funding options, such as scholarships, fellowships, and grants. The average financial aid award available through the school is $6,524.
George Mason University at a Glance:
Type of school: Public, 4-year or above
Admission Rate: 87%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 17-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $9,060
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $32,520
Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $47,000
Average Tuition
In-state
$9,510
Out-of-state
$32,970
Retention Rate
86%
Admission Rate
89%
Students Enrolled
38,541
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
96%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#4 Bachelor’s Degrees in Social Work in Virginia
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
4 years
Online + Campus
From its main campus in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty University provides in-person and remote learning opportunities across 91 bachelor's degree programs. For remote students, the school offers a bachelor of science in social work (BSW), which through a robust education, equips students with the skills needed to succeed in a social work career. The program prepares students for the demands of the field or for graduate studies in social work.
The institution connects students with success-oriented resources, such as career services and academic advising, throughout their studies. Depending on eligibility, students can benefit from financial aid funding.
Liberty University at a Glance:
Type of school: Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above
Admission Rate: 51%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 17-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $15,417
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $15,417
Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $35,800
Average Tuition
In-state
$14,791
Out-of-state
$14,791
Retention Rate
81%
Admission Rate
50%
Students Enrolled
93,349
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
93%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#5 Bachelor’s Degrees in Social Work in Virginia
Christopher Newport University
Newport News, VA
4 years
Campus
From its main campus in Newport News, Virginia, Christopher Newport University provides in-person and remote learning opportunities across 21 bachelor's degree programs. Students seeking flexible study relevant to the social work field can benefit from the school's bachelor of arts (BA) in social work degree. The social work program also prepares students for further educational pursuits, such as graduate studies.
Social work students benefit from institutional support throughout their studies. Students can meet with the financial aid office to explore funding opportunities and determine eligibility. The college reports that enrollees are awarded $5,414 in financial aid, on average.
Christopher Newport University at a Glance:
Type of school: Public, 4-year or above
Admission Rate: 72%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 14-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $9,100
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $21,566
Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $39,300
Average Tuition
In-state
$9,100
Out-of-state
$21,566
Retention Rate
87%
Admission Rate
76%
Students Enrolled
4,868
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
95%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Financing a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work
College can be financed with financial aid. Scholarships and fellowships help students lower the cost of college. As well as federal and private student loans, some students may qualify for scholarships. The colleges you are interested in may also have their own scholarships available. It is always a good idea to do your research ahead of time and find out what kinds of financial aid might be offered.
Checklist for Maximizing Your Financial Aid:
The FAFSA provides a way to pay for school with federal student aid.
You can find more information about scholarships by clicking on the following link: Collegeboard Scholarships
For scholarship and grant opportunities, students can contact the financial aid department.
Average Cost of Attending College in Virginia
Depending on which college you attend, the cost of education in Virginia may be higher. Public and private institutions, however, share some commonalities. You can find out whether attending a public institution is the right choice for you by reviewing the information below.
Public 4-Year School Tuition Rates: Virginia vs. National Average
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Virginia
National Average
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Have you ever considered attending a private university instead of a public university? Tuition at private colleges is typically higher. The following graph shows information about attending private colleges in Virginia.
Private 4-Year School Tuition Rates: Virginia vs. National Average
Key
Virginia
National Average
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salary types.
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Federal Student Loan Information
Have you ever considered taking out student loans to pay for your education? You should take certain things into consideration before obtaining a loan.
When it becomes time to repay the loan, you must ensure payments are made on time.
You should think about whether obtaining a degree from a particular school is going to help you in your career goals.
If you're in the workforce, make sure you understand the repayment schedule to avoid facing undue hardship.
Take a look at the data below to learn what students tend to borrow.
Undergraduate Federal Loans
Demographic
Percent who borrowed
Amount borrowed
Total
66.6%
$27,400
Female
69.6%
$28,100
Male
62.5%
$26,500
White, not Hispanic or Latino
66.1%
$26,700
Black, not Hispanic or Latino
85.7%
$34,800
Hispanic or Latino/a, of any race
67.7%
$25,700
Asian, not Hispanic or Latino
43%
$22,700
Other or Two or more races,
not Hispanic or Latino
The main differences between an online degree and a degree completed on-campus are the amount of money that you pay and the class size. Obtaining an online degree has its benefits and value, as on-campus degrees are typically more expensive because of student fees. Attending classes does, however, have a number of advantages.
Private colleges and public colleges differ in a number of ways. This is particularly true when it comes to cost. Students at public universities often use grants and scholarships to pay for their degrees and fees. In private schools, there are often merit scholarships available to students who demonstrate superior academic performance.
Additionally, private colleges tend to have smaller classes. This allows students to have more one-on-one time with their professors and become familiar with the available possibilities in their particular field of study. An assessment of the pros and cons of attending a private versus a public institution is presented below.
Pros and Cons
Private
Unique program offerings
Cultural or religious options
Local prestige
Higher costs
Less regulatory oversight
Public
Government-issued tuition costs
Government funding, benefits, and regulation
Oftentimes large classrooms
Frequently Asked Questions
In Virginia, what is the salary for social workers?
Social workers make a mean annual salary of $72,070 in Virginia.
In today's environment, are occupations for social work majors in demand?
The total number of social workers is expected to change by 5.8% from 2020 to 2030.
Can you get an online bachelor's degree in social work?
A bachelor's degree in social work can be obtained online. In today's environment, most schools offer a certain amount of online instruction as a matter of fact.
In order to complete a bachelor's degree, how long does it take?
An average bachelor's degree takes four years to earn for a full-time student. There will be a variation in completion time for part-time students.
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