Home · All Schools · Tennessee
BSW Programs · Tennessee · 2026

Best BSW Programs in Tennessee

Compare 20 CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work programs in Tennessee. Real tuition, graduate counts, and licensing alignment — pulled from IPEDS 2024-25 institutional data and the live CSWE accreditation directory.

20
CSWE-accredited BSW programs
460
BSW graduates 2023–24
9
With online format
$8.6K
Lowest tuition/yr (in-state)

About BSW programs in Tennessee

Tennessee hosts 20 CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work programs across public, private nonprofit, and (in some states) for-profit institutions. Together, these programs awarded 460 BSW degrees in the 2023–24 academic year — feeding Tennessee's pipeline of social workers in healthcare, schools, behavioral health, child welfare, and community practice.

The BSW pathway in Tennessee typically leads to: LSW (Licensed Social Worker). Time-to-license: pass exam after graduation. Median earnings: $48,000.

Top programs by 2023-24 graduate output: University of Tennessee-Knoxville, University of Memphis, Middle Tennessee State University.

All BSW Programs in Tennessee

Sorted by 2023-24 graduate output. Click any program to see full details, contact info, and ROI breakdown.

Tennessee Social Work Licensing

Every program on this page is CSWE-accredited, which is required for Tennessee licensure. Each state's licensing board sets its own additional requirements — supervised hours, exams, fingerprinting, jurisprudence assessments, and renewal CEUs.

See the Tennessee licensing guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many CSWE-accredited BSW programs are in Tennessee?

There are 20 CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work programs in Tennessee as of 2024-25 IPEDS reporting. Of those, 9 offer an online format option.

How much does a BSW program cost in Tennessee?

In-state BSW tuition in Tennessee ranges from $8.6K/yr at the most affordable program to $43K/yr, with an average of $22K/yr. Total program cost depends on duration: a 4-year BSW or 2-year MSW. Out-of-state students typically pay 1.5×–2× the in-state rate at public schools.

Can I get licensed to practice social work in Tennessee after completing a BSW?

Yes. Tennessee accepts CSWE-accredited BSW graduates for licensure. After graduation, you'd typically pursue the LSW (Licensed Social Worker). See the full Tennessee licensing path →

What's the typical career outlook for BSW graduates in Tennessee?

BLS reports social workers in Tennessee earn a median $48,000. Demand for licensed social workers is projected to grow 7% nationally through 2032 — faster than average. Hospitals, schools, behavioral health agencies, and child welfare departments are the largest employers.

Related programs in Tennessee

MSW programs in Tennessee (13)

BSW programs in other states

BSW programs in AlabamaBSW programs in ArkansasBSW programs in ArizonaBSW programs in CaliforniaBSW programs in ColoradoBSW programs in ConnecticutBSW programs in District of ColumbiaBSW programs in FloridaBSW programs in GeorgiaBSW programs in HawaiiBSW programs in IowaBSW programs in Idaho

Compare all 20 programs side-by-side

Use the SocialWorkU degree finder to filter by tuition, format, online availability, and graduate output across Tennessee and the rest of the country.

Open degree finder →
Data sources & methodology. Tuition, enrollment, and institutional metadata pulled from IPEDS 2024-25 release (NCES). CSWE accreditation status from the public CSWE Accredited Programs directory. Graduation counts from IPEDS Completions (CIP code 44.0701, July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024). Salary figures based on BLS OEWS 2023 medians. Information last updated May 2026 — accreditation status, tuition, and program details may have changed since IPEDS reporting; always verify with the school directly.