Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees vary by degree program and location. Use the resources on this page to find current tuition and fee rates for KU social work programs.
Undergraduate Students
Find tuition and fee information for KU undergraduate programs, including costs by campus and enrollment type:
Estimate tuition and fee costs for undergraduate students
Freshman and transfer students can also try KU’s Net Price Calculator to estimate total costs, aid, and scholarships.
Graduate Students
Explore tuition and fee details for KU graduate programs across campuses and online options:
Metro KC Tuition Rate - KU Edwards Campus
Missouri residents taking in-person classes at the KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park, Kansas, might be eligible for the Metro KC Tuition Rate, which offers tuition equivalent to in-state rates.
The KU School of Social Welfare offers Master of Social Work (MSW) and upper-level Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) classes at the KU Edwards Campus.
Learn more about eligibility for the Metro KC rate on the KU Edwards Campus website:
MSW Tuition and Fees by Program Location
Tuition and fees for the Master of Social Work (MSW) vary by program location. Use the tables below to find the tuition rates for your MSW program location.
KU Traditional MSW Program - Tuition and Fee Rates
Students with a bachelor's degree outside of social work apply to the Traditional MSW Program. The Traditional MSW can be completed in 2 years of full-time study, or 3-4 years of part-time study.
| Traditional MSW Program Location | Generalist Curriculum - Tuition & Fees Rate | Specialization Curriculum - Tuition & Fees Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Lawrence | On-Campus KU Graduate Tuition and Fees - School of Social Welfare | On-Campus KU Graduate Tuition and Fees - School of Social Welfare |
| Edwards Campus (Overland Park) | On-Campus KU Graduate Tuition and Fees - School of Social Welfare; Missouri residents might qualify for Metro KC rate | On-Campus KU Graduate Tuition and Fees - School of Social Welfare; Missouri residents might qualify for Metro KC rate |
| Salina (K-State Partnership Program) | K-State Salina Campus Tuition and Fees | $495/credit hour; KU non-standard tuition rate for Salina MSW courses |
| Online | $695/credit hour; Online MSW tuition and fees | $695/credit hour; Online MSW tuition and fees |
KU Advanced Standing MSW Program - Tuition and Fee Rates
Students with a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program apply to the Advanced Standing MSW Program. The Advanced Standing MSW can be completed in 1 year of full-time study or 2 years of part-time study.
| Advanced Standing MSW Program Location | Specialization Curriculum - Tuition & Fees Rate |
|---|---|
| Lawrence | On-Campus KU Graduate Tuition and Fees - School of Social Welfare |
| Edwards Campus (Overland Park) | On-Campus KU Graduate Tuition and Fees - School of Social Welfare; Missouri residents might qualify for Metro KC rate |
| Salina (K-State Partnership Program) | $495/credit hour; KU non-standard tuition rate for Salina MSW courses |
| Online | $695/credit hour; Online MSW tuition and fees |
Tuition and fee rates listed in these tables are for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Resources:
- KU Graduate Tuition and Fees Calculator (KU Lawrence, KU Edwards Campus, Online Graduate Programs)
- Metro KC Rate (KU Edwards Campus)
- KU Non-Standard Program Rates (Salina MSW program)
Residency
Students are classified as a Kansas resident or an out-of-state resident based on information provided on their application for admission.
A student's residency status can make a difference in the cost of tuition for programs in the School of Social Welfare.
Learn more about residency status at the University of Kansas:
Financial Aid
Learn about financial aid options, key deadlines, processes, and more on the KU Financial Aid website.
The most important step to obtaining financial aid is filing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.
Additional KU Financial Aid resources:
Scholarships
KU social work students may be eligible for scholarships from the KU School of Social Welfare, the university, or external sources.
KU School of Social Welfare Scholarships
The University of Kansas School of Social Welfare has several sources of financial assistance available to BSW, MSW and PhD students who meet various criteria. Awards are made on an annual basis and are applied directly toward tuition and fees in most instances.
KU School of Social Welfare Scholarships
March 1 is the recommended FAFSA filing date for graduate students interested in financial aid or scholarships.
University of Kansas Scholarships
Undergraduate freshman and transfer students may be eligible for renewable scholarships:
Loan Repayment
Learn about loan repayment programs for social work graduates.
National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment
The National Health Service Corps offers programs that can repay part or all of a student's school loan debt. Learn about benefits, eligibility and application requirements.
National Health Service Corps - Loan Repayment programs
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Graduates employed by a government or not-for-profit organization might be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Learn about program eligibility and requirements.