B.S.W. tuition and fees

VCU offers a number of tools for prospective (and current) students to estimate tuition and university fees: 

• Use the undergraduate calculator; remember to select "Undergraduate - School of Social Work" for your program selection.
• Remember to add any additional fees based on the selected major or program.
• The Net Price Calculator can provide new college first-years with an early evaluation of educational costs and financial aid opportunities.
• Understand the cost of attendance. COA is an estimate of educational expenses used to determine financial aid eligibility. These estimates are based on full-time attendance for the entire academic year. COA is a projected cost and does not represent the actual amount billed by VCU. Not all information will be applicable to students.

Disclaimer
VCU reserves the right to adjust tuition costs as necessary. The university reserves the right to revise or alter all fees, regulations pertaining to student fees and fee collection procedures at any time. The VCU Board of Trustees sets official fees in June/July of each year. Students may be responsible for purchasing books and other materials for various courses throughout the program.

Is this degree a good investment?

Graduates from this program most often find employment as social workers. Nationally, the median social worker pay is $58,380. Earning potential for social workers can vary based on experience, location and credentials. We encourage prospective students to research and learn about the compensation for different social work career paths.

Social worker annual salary in Virginia

Year	Entry Salary	Average Salary	Median Salary	Experienced Salary
2023	$41,630	$50,310	$48,420	$54,660

_{Source: Virginia’s Career and Workforce Labor Market Information and Occupational Employment Statistics}

How will you pay tuition?

Students have a variety of options to fund their tuition. Some of the most frequently used funding options are included below, but we encourage you to consult with VCU's Student Financial Services (SFS) and/or a financial advisor when determining the best options available.

Loans

The federal government provides loan options for students. VCU’s SFS works with two types of U.S. federal government loans:

• Federal Direct Loans: This is generally the lowest-cost loan available, for up to $20,500 each academic year. You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, take at least six credits per semester, and submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to qualify.
• Federal Graduate PLUS Loans: If you need to borrow more, then a Graduate PLUS loan can generally cover the remainder. You will need to submit the application for the Federal Direct loan prior to applying for the Federal Graduate PLUS Loans.

If federal loans are unavailable or insufficient, VCU’s SFS can help you explore private or alternative education loans. Unlike federal loans, private loans do not require a FAFSA to apply. Private loan approval is generally based on creditworthiness and ability to repay. Some students may need to apply with a credit-worthy co-signer. Interest rates, grace periods, repayment options and fees are determined by the lender and can vary considerably from lender to lender; generally, private or alternative education loans charge higher interest rates than federal loans.

There are many options for reducing your financial responsibility for graduate school at VCU. The School of Social Work also has B.S.W.-specific scholarships available for current students, and the Child Welfare Stipend Program offers funding for senior B.S.W. students who apply and are accepted, with a post-graduation work requirement.