Looking for the best Bachelor's Degree in Social Work in Washington? You should consider these top-tier institutions and jobs in the social work field.
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There are several career options for those who complete the best degree in Washington for social work. Bachelor's degrees open doors for employment in a variety of fields, as graduates with bachelor's degree gain the skills required to move forward in their careers.
Social Work Bachelor's Programs for You
Working and Living in Washington in the Social Work Profession
Social work degree programs provide thoughtful and balanced education about human behavior and social welfare. The coursework will build on your knowledge of social sciences, including sociology, anthropology, and psychology. You'll also learn about the diverse populations in the U.S. and across the globe. Common social work careers include clinical social worker, community organizer, and addiction counselor. You'll also have the opportunity to specialize in a particular field, such as mental health or aging.
The median salary in Washingtonis $50,450/year or $24.25/hour. All 3,205,930 employees in Washington are included in this statistic. Based on the BLS, the lowest 10% of earners earn $30,460 annually. The highest 10% earn $127,470 per year. Below you will find a comparison of wages among social workers in Washington.
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A report by MERIC ranked Washington number 40 out of 51 states (including Washington D.C.) on the cost of living index. The cost of living index measures the national average cost of living against the cost of living in specific states. Based on a U.S. average of 100, all locations within the country are either above (more expensive) or below (less expensive). Washington's cost of living index is 113.9, which is 13.9% higher than the national average. This table compares the cost of groceries, housing, utilities, and other items in Washington to the national average.
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The next ten years will see a 5.8% growth in social workers. There is a projected change from 71,400 in 2020 to 75,500 in 2030, according to the BLS. Typically, the average education for these positions is a bachelor's degree. There are a number of typical job titles that include:
#1 Bachelor’s Degrees in Social Work in Washington
University of Washington
Seattle, WA
4 years
Online + Campus
The University of Washington, a Seattle-based public, four-year college, boasts in-person and online study across 245 bachelor's degree programs. The school's bachelor's in social work introduces students to foundational skills and knowledge in the field while also building general skills such as communication and critical thinking. Students can apply their learnings to a social work-specific career or towards a graduate degree.
Social work students can access institutional support for the duration of the program. Students seeking to defray the costs of their degree can meet with a financial aid counselor to discuss funding opportunities and determine their eligibility. The average undergraduate is awarded $15,354 in financial aid.
University of Washington at a Glance:
Type of School: Public, four-year
Admission Rate: 52%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 20-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $10,370
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $37,071
Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $50,300
Average Tuition
In-state
$10,629
Out-of-state
$37,998
Retention Rate
93%
Admission Rate
56%
Students Enrolled
48,149
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
11%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
#2 Bachelor’s Degrees in Social Work in Washington
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus
Tacoma, WA
4 years
Online + Campus
The University of Washington-Tacoma Campus leads in hybrid education, supporting 38 bachelor's degree programs, one of which is available online. The school's BASW program is an ideal choice for students seeking to advance in a Social Work career. The knowledge and skills gained from these studies can benefit students in a social work career or in further educational pursuits.
Career services and academic advising are just two of the numerous institutional resources centering on student success. Students can meet with the financial aid office to explore funding opportunities and determine their eligibility. The average financial aid package is $11,067, with 83% of all enrollees receiving some form of aid.
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus at a Glance:
Type of School: Public, four-year
Admission Rate: 87%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 17-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $10,370
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $37,071
Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $50,300
Average Tuition
In-state
$10,629
Out-of-state
$37,998
Retention Rate
80%
Admission Rate
86%
Students Enrolled
5,364
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
19%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
#3 Bachelor’s Degrees in Social Work in Washington
Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA
4 years
Online + Campus
Eastern Washington University leads in hybrid education, supporting 84 bachelor's degree programs, 33 of which are available online. The bachelor's in social work is one of many robust degree programs, equipping students with industry-relevant knowledge. The program prepares students for their post-graduate path, whether that be a social work-specific career or graduate studies.
Social work students benefit from institutional support throughout their studies. Dedicated financial aid counselors can help learners understand available education funding options, including scholarships, grants, and student loans. Financial aid enables student success, with 96% of all students receiving aid and 54% of all enrollees graduating.
Eastern Washington University at a Glance:
Type of School: Public, four-year
Admission Rate: 96%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 18-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $6,543
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $24,074
Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $37,700
Average Tuition
In-state
$6,707
Out-of-state
$24,676
Retention Rate
71%
Admission Rate
79%
Students Enrolled
12,349
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
93%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
#4 Bachelor’s Degrees in Social Work in Washington
Washington State University
Pullman, WA
4 years
Online + Campus
Washington State University, a Pullman-based public, four-year college, boasts in-person and online study across 151 bachelor's degree programs. For those interested in the social work field, the school's bachelor's in social sciences is a wise choice. The knowledge and skills gained from these studies can benefit graduates in a social work career or in further educational pursuits.
The college supports students through institutional resources, including career services and academic advising. Prospective students should meet with a financial aid counselor to determine their eligibility for scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid. Financial aid enables student success, with 89% of all students receiving aid and 60% of all enrollees graduating.
Washington State University at a Glance:
Type of School: Public, four-year
Admission Rate: 76%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 16-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $9,953
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $24,531
Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $44,700
Average Tuition
In-state
$10,202
Out-of-state
$25,145
Retention Rate
81%
Admission Rate
80%
Students Enrolled
31,159
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
28%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
#5 Bachelor’s Degrees in Social Work in Washington
Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA
4 years
Campus
Saint Martin's University, located in Lacey, Washington, provides 28 bachelor's degree programs in dual modalities. The bachelor of social work is one of many robust degree programs, equipping students with industry-relevant knowledge. Students can apply their learnings to a social work-specific career 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 their eligibility, and apply for student loans.
Saint Martin's University at a Glance:
Type of School: Private, nonprofit, four-year
Admission Rate: 96%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 12-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $38,150
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $38,150
Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $41,000
Average Tuition
In-state
$39,500
Out-of-state
$39,500
Retention Rate
76%
Admission Rate
94%
Students Enrolled
1,638
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
43%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Financing a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work
You can find financial aid to assist with the cost of attending college if you wish. In addition to scholarships and grants, work-study programs are available as financial aid. Some students also pay for school with federal and private loans. If applicable, prospective students should find out what kinds of financial aid might be available to them.
Checklist for Maximizing Your Financial Aid:
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) helps many students cover educational expenses.
The school's financial aid department should contact students for scholarship, grant, work-study, and loan options.
Average Cost of Attending College in Washington
Washington colleges charge varying tuition rates. There are some commonalities that exist among institutions of all sizes, although differences in aid may be important. The information below will help you determine whether attending a public institution is the right choice for you.
Public 4-Year School Tuition Rates: Washington vs. National Average
Key
Washington
National Average
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How about attending a private college or university instead of a public one? Tuition at private colleges is typically higher. You can learn more about private colleges in the table below.
Private 4-Year School Tuition Rates: Washington vs. National Average
Key
Washington
National Average
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Federal Student Loan Information
In order to pay for school, should you borrow student loans? You should consider a few factors before taking out a loan.
The first thing you should do is consider if you will be able to make all payments on time.
Consider if a degree from your chosen school will advance your career goals.
Check that the repayment schedule will not cause undue hardship on your finances once you have begun working.
Review the data below regarding how much students typically 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 tuition costs and the size of the classes. Numerous advantages are associated with online degree programs, such as flexibility, affordability, and convenience. In addition, the fees to earn an on-campus degree tend to be higher than those for distance students, although there are benefits of attending in-person classes on a regular basis.
There are a number of differences between public and private colleges. The first thing you need to understand is that the cost of attending a public school and a private school will be different. Research grants and scholarships are available to assist with the cost of attending a public college. For students at private institutions, tuition is charged, but merit scholarships are often available to those with high GPAs or SAT scores.
As a result of their smaller class sizes, professors at private colleges are often readily available for students. Consider the pros and cons of attending a private institution versus a public one.
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
As a social worker, how much do you make in Washington?
