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Best Online Social Work Programs in Kentucky (2026)
Updated July 30, 2026BLS dataCollege ScorecardOn this page
Kentucky offers competitive wages for social work professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing Body
Kentucky Board of Social Work Examiners
Accreditation Required
Institutional + Regional
Earning an online social work degree in Kentucky offers a flexible path into social work careers. Kentucky offers competitive wages for social work professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. Whether you’re looking for an affordable in-state option or a nationally available program, Kentucky students have access to a variety of accredited online choices that balance quality and cost.
Online Social Work Schools in Kentucky
The following schools offer accredited online social work programs and are ranked based on affordability, graduation rates, and student outcomes in Kentucky.
How We Rank Schools
Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most
recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS).
To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the
U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked
against schools at the same credential level:
BOCSCORE
Graduation rate 30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
Average net price (lower is better) 20%
Retention rate 15%
Fully online availability 10%
Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score.
Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.
Social Work professionals in Kentucky experience a dynamic job market with competitive wages. Below are the median annual salaries for key roles in the field, based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for Kentucky.
Occupation
Median Annual Salary (Kentucky)
Child, Family, and School Social Worker
$59,100
Healthcare Social Worker
$64,080
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker
$42,570
Social Worker, All Other
$85,160
Social and Community Service Manager
$76,960
Social and Human Service Assistant
$37,440
Community Health Worker
$48,230
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Why Pursue an Online Social Work Degree in Kentucky?
Choosing a program in Kentucky can provide several advantages:
In-State Tuition: Many public universities in Kentucky offer lower tuition rates for residents, even for online programs.
Local Networking: Attending a school within your state can make it easier to connect with local employers and professional organizations.
Regional Relevance: Curriculum often incorporates data and case studies relevant to the Kentucky economy and job market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are online social work programs in Kentucky accredited?
The schools in our directory hold institutional accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education - that is a condition of inclusion. Verify any specific school and program in the Department’s DAPIP database before enrolling.
How does Social Work pay in Kentucky compare to other states?
Kentucky offers competitive wages for social work professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. This makes Kentucky a strong choice for students looking to maximize their ROI after graduation.
What is the primary licensing board for social work in Kentucky?
The Kentucky Board of Social Work Examiners oversees professional standards and licensure for the field in Kentucky. Most accredited programs are designed to align with their specific requirements.
