Kentucky Social Work Degree Programs
AKA: ASW, BSW, MSW, DSW, Clinical MSW
Data Source:
Dept. of Education - 2026
Social Worker License has analyzed data from 17 schools who offer degree programs in the field of social work and human services. Jump to schools.
Kentucky offers a broad selection of social work education choices for a state of its size. Students can compare social work programs at 15 schools, with most options concentrated at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. The full school list below provides school-by-school details.
Doctoral-level social work study is less common. Students can find doctoral options at University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and Spalding University.
Students can compare CSWE-accredited social work programs at 15 Kentucky schools. Accredited choices span baccalaureate and master’s study, giving both first-time social work students and graduate applicants multiple options across the state.
CSWE programmatic accreditation applies to a specific social work program and is separate from a college or university’s institutional accreditation. Students should confirm the current accreditation status of their exact degree pathway before enrolling.
Online availability is broad in Kentucky: 12 of the state’s 15 CSWE-accredited social work schools report some online study. The full school list below can help students identify these options and compare them with campus-based programs.
An online designation does not necessarily mean every degree option, course, or field placement can be completed remotely. Students should ask how often they must attend campus and where required field experiences may be completed.
For cost-conscious students, the following schools have the lowest reported school-level prices among Kentucky’s social work schools. These figures are comparison signals rather than measures of program quality.
Tuition and average net price are institution-level figures, not social work program-specific costs. Actual expenses can vary by degree level, residency, fees, financial aid, enrollment intensity, and delivery format.
Start by matching the degree level to your education and career goals. Compare the exact program’s CSWE status, study format, field placement expectations, specialization choices, and total cost—not just the university’s general profile.
Kentucky also has human services and mental or social health programs. These may suit some career goals, but they should not be treated as social work degrees. Confirm the program title, curriculum, accreditation, and intended career outcomes before choosing between these alternatives and a BSW or MSW.
Kentucky has 15 schools with social work pathways. Choices are broadest at the bachelor’s and master’s levels, while doctoral study is limited to three schools.
Twelve CSWE-accredited social work schools report some online availability. Verify the format of the exact degree because online availability may apply only to certain pathways or courses, and field placements may still require in-person participation.
CSWE accreditation applies to a particular social work program rather than the institution as a whole. Students should verify both the program’s current CSWE status and the university’s separate institutional accreditation.
Based on reported school-level figures, Kentucky State University, University of the Cumberlands, and Murray State University have the lowest listed in-state tuition among Kentucky social work schools. Kentucky State University, Northern Kentucky University, and Brescia University have the lowest listed average net prices. These figures are not social work program-specific costs.
No. Human services and mental or social health programs are related alternatives, but they should not be described as social work degrees. Compare the program title, curriculum, accreditation, and career preparation carefully.
Completing a listed program does not automatically guarantee licensure. Students should verify the education, field experience, examination, and other requirements for the jurisdiction where they intend to practice.
Whether you live in Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green or elsewhere in Kentucky, you can find the right social work or human services degree program for you. Filter schools in Kentucky by degree level and field type. Rank schools by features that matter to you. Explore all the social work programs offered in Kentucky below.
Degree Levels Offered
Salary 1 Year After Graduation
Program fields may include:
Type of Institution
Public
Total Enrollment
1,309
Accredited By:
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Graduation Rate:
35.22%
In-State Tuition:
$9,387
Out-of-State Tuition:
$13,658
Average Cost (tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses - minus grant/scholarship aid):
$8,040
Applicants Accepted:
96.08%
Average SAT Score:
N/A
Average SAT Reading Score:
N/A
Average SAT Math Score:
N/A
Degree Levels Offered
Salary 1 Year After Graduation
Program description:
A program that focuses on the general study and provision of human and social services to individuals and communities and prepares individuals to work in public and private human services agencies and organizations. Includes instruction in the social sciences, psychology, principles of social service, human services policy, planning and evaluation, social services law and administration, and applications to particular issues, services, localities, and populations.
Degree Levels Offered
Salary 1 Year After Graduation
Program fields may include:
Type of Institution
Private nonprofit
Total Enrollment
6,941
Accredited By:
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Graduation Rate:
44.79%
In-State Tuition:
$9,875
Out-of-State Tuition:
$9,875
Average Cost (tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses - minus grant/scholarship aid):
$14,107
Applicants Accepted:
98.81%
Average SAT Score:
N/A
Average SAT Reading Score:
525
Average SAT Math Score:
545
Degree Levels Offered
Salary 1 Year After Graduation
Program description:
A program that focuses on the general study and provision of human and social services to individuals and communities and prepares individuals to work in public and private human services agencies and organizations. Includes instruction in the social sciences, psychology, principles of social service, human services policy, planning and evaluation, social services law and administration, and applications to particular issues, services, localities, and populations.
Degree Levels Offered
Salary 1 Year After Graduation
Program fields may include:
Type of Institution
Public
Total Enrollment
6,688
Accredited By:
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Graduation Rate:
63.06%
In-State Tuition:
$9,900
Out-of-State Tuition:
$19,836
Average Cost (tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses - minus grant/scholarship aid):
$9,096
Applicants Accepted:
85.68%
Average SAT Score:
N/A
Average SAT Reading Score:
550
Average SAT Math Score:
530
Degree Levels Offered
Salary 1 Year After Graduation
Program fields may include:
Type of Institution
Public
Total Enrollment
4,578
Accredited By:
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Graduation Rate:
50.04%
In-State Tuition:
$10,024
Out-of-State Tuition:
$14,980
Average Cost (tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses - minus grant/scholarship aid):
$9,793
Applicants Accepted:
77.21%
Average SAT Score:
N/A
Average SAT Reading Score:
N/A
Average SAT Math Score:
N/A
Degree Levels Offered
Salary 1 Year After Graduation
Program fields may include:
Type of Institution
Public
Total Enrollment
12,318
Accredited By:
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Graduation Rate:
54.71%
In-State Tuition:
$10,320
Out-of-State Tuition:
$21,230
Average Cost (tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses - minus grant/scholarship aid):
$11,040
Applicants Accepted:
77.61%
Average SAT Score:
N/A
Average SAT Reading Score:
535
Average SAT Math Score:
530
Degree Levels Offered
Salary 1 Year After Graduation
Program fields may include:
Degree Levels Offered
Salary 1 Year After Graduation
Program fields may include:
Type of Institution
Public
Total Enrollment
8,246
Accredited By:
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Graduation Rate:
53.47%
In-State Tuition:
$11,088
Out-of-State Tuition:
$21,912
Average Cost (tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses - minus grant/scholarship aid):
$8,191
Applicants Accepted:
67.65%
Average SAT Score:
N/A
Average SAT Reading Score:
535
Average SAT Math Score:
562
Degree Levels Offered
Salary 1 Year After Graduation
Program fields may include:
Degree Levels Offered
Salary 1 Year After Graduation
Program fields may include:
Type of Institution
Public
Total Enrollment
12,155
Accredited By:
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Graduation Rate:
54.91%
In-State Tuition:
$11,652
Out-of-State Tuition:
$27,000
Average Cost (tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses - minus grant/scholarship aid):
$10,990
Applicants Accepted:
93.87%
Average SAT Score:
N/A
Average SAT Reading Score:
N/A
Average SAT Math Score:
N/A
Degree Levels Offered
Salary 1 Year After Graduation
Program fields may include:
Degree Levels Offered
Salary 1 Year After Graduation
Program fields may include:
Type of Institution
Public
Total Enrollment
14,727
Accredited By:
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Graduation Rate:
64.63%
In-State Tuition:
$13,136
Out-of-State Tuition:
$29,482
Average Cost (tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses - minus grant/scholarship aid):
$17,988
Applicants Accepted:
79.41%
Average SAT Score:
N/A
Average SAT Reading Score:
580
Average SAT Math Score:
580
Degree Levels Offered
Salary 1 Year After Graduation
Program fields may include:
Degree Levels Offered
Salary 1 Year After Graduation
Program fields may include:
Type of Institution
Public
Total Enrollment
24,763
Accredited By:
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Graduation Rate:
69.57%
In-State Tuition:
$13,502
Out-of-State Tuition:
$34,140
Average Cost (tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses - minus grant/scholarship aid):
$18,851
Applicants Accepted:
92.94%
Average SAT Score:
N/A
Average SAT Reading Score:
602
Average SAT Math Score:
605
Degree Levels Offered
Salary 1 Year After Graduation
Program fields may include:
Type of Institution
Private nonprofit
Total Enrollment
1,135
Accredited By:
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Graduation Rate:
36.58%
In-State Tuition:
$24,850
Out-of-State Tuition:
$24,850
Average Cost (tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses - minus grant/scholarship aid):
$20,311
Applicants Accepted:
Not enough data
Average SAT Score:
N/A
Average SAT Reading Score:
N/A
Average SAT Math Score:
N/A
Degree Levels Offered
Salary 1 Year After Graduation
Program fields may include:
Type of Institution
Private nonprofit
Total Enrollment
429
Accredited By:
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Graduation Rate:
33.57%
In-State Tuition:
$26,625
Out-of-State Tuition:
$26,625
Average Cost (tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses - minus grant/scholarship aid):
$24,038
Applicants Accepted:
60.91%
Average SAT Score:
N/A
Average SAT Reading Score:
465
Average SAT Math Score:
450
Degree Levels Offered
Salary 1 Year After Graduation
Program description:
A program that focuses on the general study and provision of human and social services to individuals and communities and prepares individuals to work in public and private human services agencies and organizations. Includes instruction in the social sciences, psychology, principles of social service, human services policy, planning and evaluation, social services law and administration, and applications to particular issues, services, localities, and populations.
Degree Levels Offered
Salary 1 Year After Graduation
Program fields may include:
Type of Institution
Private nonprofit
Total Enrollment
1,585
Accredited By:
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Graduation Rate:
37.37%
In-State Tuition:
$27,808
Out-of-State Tuition:
$27,808
Average Cost (tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses - minus grant/scholarship aid):
$15,070
Applicants Accepted:
Not enough data
Average SAT Score:
N/A
Average SAT Reading Score:
N/A
Average SAT Math Score:
N/A
Degree Levels Offered
Salary 1 Year After Graduation
Program fields may include:
Type of Institution
Private nonprofit
Total Enrollment
2,840
Accredited By:
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Graduation Rate:
42.66%
In-State Tuition:
$27,998
Out-of-State Tuition:
$27,998
Average Cost (tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses - minus grant/scholarship aid):
$19,341
Applicants Accepted:
79.74%
Average SAT Score:
N/A
Average SAT Reading Score:
N/A
Average SAT Math Score:
N/A
Degree Levels Offered
Salary 1 Year After Graduation
Program fields may include:
Degree Levels Offered
Salary 1 Year After Graduation
Program fields may include:
Type of Institution
Private nonprofit
Total Enrollment
583
Accredited By:
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Graduation Rate:
45.33%
In-State Tuition:
$29,200
Out-of-State Tuition:
$29,200
Average Cost (tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses - minus grant/scholarship aid):
$25,491
Applicants Accepted:
99.45%
Average SAT Score:
N/A
Average SAT Reading Score:
515
Average SAT Math Score:
500
Degree Levels Offered
Salary 1 Year After Graduation
Program fields may include:
Type of Institution
Private nonprofit
Total Enrollment
746
Accredited By:
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Graduation Rate:
34.6%
In-State Tuition:
$30,946
Out-of-State Tuition:
$30,946
Average Cost (tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses - minus grant/scholarship aid):
$21,311
Applicants Accepted:
63.15%
Average SAT Score:
N/A
Average SAT Reading Score:
517
Average SAT Math Score:
535
Degree Levels Offered
Salary 1 Year After Graduation
Program description:
A program that focuses on the general study and provision of human and social services to individuals and communities and prepares individuals to work in public and private human services agencies and organizations. Includes instruction in the social sciences, psychology, principles of social service, human services policy, planning and evaluation, social services law and administration, and applications to particular issues, services, localities, and populations.
Degree Levels Offered
Salary 1 Year After Graduation
Program fields may include:
Type of Institution
Private nonprofit
Total Enrollment
545
Accredited By:
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Graduation Rate:
49.11%
In-State Tuition:
$31,550
Out-of-State Tuition:
$31,550
Average Cost (tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses - minus grant/scholarship aid):
$8,709
Applicants Accepted:
35.24%
Average SAT Score:
N/A
Average SAT Reading Score:
525
Average SAT Math Score:
530
Degree Levels Offered
Salary 1 Year After Graduation
Program fields may include:
Type of Institution
Private nonprofit
Total Enrollment
1,420
Accredited By:
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Graduation Rate:
69.84%
In-State Tuition:
$33,640
Out-of-State Tuition:
$33,640
Average Cost (tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses - minus grant/scholarship aid):
$21,401
Applicants Accepted:
63.4%
Average SAT Score:
N/A
Average SAT Reading Score:
N/A
Average SAT Math Score:
N/A
