California · MSW programs by city
Best MSW Programs near Sacramento, CA (2026)
Published · Last updated
Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS in Psychology
Sacramento, California (population 526,384) has 2 CSWE-accredited MSW programs based in the city , with 1 more accredited program within about 60 miles. 16 California programs also offer an online option. Every program below is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the requirement for California licensure.
Best MSW programs in Sacramento, CA
Accredited programs with a campus in Sacramento, CA, ranked by our five-factor model. National and online rank badges appear only for programs in the top 25 (nationally, or among online programs).
- #1 In Sacramento, CA
California State University, Sacramento
Sacramento, CA, CA · CSWE-accredited since 1966 · On-Campus
7.3
3 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing On-campusWhy it ranks here
California State University, Sacramento has held CSWE accreditation since 1966, 60 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Sacramento, CA). It records 3 concentrations (Children, Youth, and Families; Aging and Gerontological Practice; Behavioral Health). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 1 embedded certificate.
Concentrations
Children, Youth, and Families, Aging and Gerontological Practice, Behavioral Health
Visit the California State University, Sacramento MSW program site
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 9.2
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 7.9
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 4.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #2 In Sacramento, CA
University of the Pacific
Sacramento, CA, CA · CSWE-accredited since 2020 · Online or On-Campus
5.0
2 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
University of the Pacific has held CSWE accreditation since 2020, 6 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Sacramento, CA). It records 2 concentrations (Healthcare; Behavioral Health). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Concentrations
Healthcare, Behavioral Health
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 2.7
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 5.9
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 7.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 6.0
Best MSW programs near Sacramento, CA
Accredited programs whose nearest campus is within about 60 miles of Sacramento, CA, ranked by our five-factor model. Each card shows the campus city and straight-line distance from the city center.
- #1 Stockton · ~42 mi
California State University, Stanislaus
Turlock, CA, CA · CSWE-accredited since 1996 · Online or On-Campus
6.1
1 concentration No Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
California State University, Stanislaus has held CSWE accreditation since 1996, 30 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Turlock, CA; Stockton). It records 1 concentration (Advanced Generalist). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Concentrations
Advanced Generalist
Visit the California State University, Stanislaus MSW program site
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 5.6
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 3.2
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 9.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
Online MSW programs available in Sacramento, CA
California-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Sacramento, CA residents can complete from home. See the full online MSW ranking for national options.
| Institution | Accredited | Adv. Standing | Natl. |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern California | 1922 | Yes | #22 |
| San Jose State University | 1973 | Yes | #77 |
| Loma Linda University | 1995 | Yes | #109 |
| California State University, San Bernardino | 1989 | Yes | #123 |
| California State University, San Marcos | 2013 | Yes | #168 |
| California State University, Stanislaus | 1996 | No | #173 |
| California State University, Northridge | 2004 | Yes | #178 |
| California State University, Chico | 2003 | Yes | #184 |
| Cal Poly Humboldt | 2003 | Yes | #185 |
| California State University, East Bay | 2003 | No | #193 |
| Alliant University | 2022 | Yes | #205 |
| University of Massachusetts Global | 2018 | Yes | #296 |
| National University | 2018 | Yes | #295 |
| California Baptist University | 2016 | Yes | #301 |
| Pacific Oaks College | 2020 | Yes | #304 |
| University of the Pacific | 2020 | Yes | #307 |
How much do social workers make in Sacramento, CA in 2026?
Sacramento, California sits within the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 7,530 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is healthcare social workers at a $97,070 median. Figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program (May 2025).
| Occupation | Employed | Median wage | Typical range (10th–90th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare social workers | 1,030 | $97,070 | $52,730 – $146,720 |
| Mental health & substance abuse social workers | 1,330 | $83,150 | $49,680 – $140,440 |
| Child, family & school social workers | 3,550 | $63,270 | $47,410 – $94,820 |
| Social workers, all other | 1,620 | $36,160 | $36,160 – $101,690 |
| Social & community service managers (macro) | 2,210 | $76,080 | $50,980 – $142,320 |
How local pay compares
Child, family & school social workers around Sacramento, CA earn a median of $63,270 versus $65,200 statewide in California and $67,310 nationally. That is below the California median.
Where do social workers work in Sacramento, CA in 2026?
Sacramento, California sits in Sacramento County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:
- Sacramento County Department of Health Services, Behavioral Health
- UC Davis Medical Center
- Sutter Health
- VA Northern California Health Care System
- Sacramento City Unified School District
- WellSpace Health
Representative local employers known to operate in the area; illustrative, not an exhaustive or BLS-sourced list.
Nationally, BLS projects social worker employment to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, driven by demand in healthcare and mental-health settings. Macro roles such as social and community service managers are projected to grow alongside them. See pay by role in our career guides.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) for Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.
What kind of social work license do I need in Sacramento, CA?
After an MSW from Sacramento, CA or anywhere, these are the California social work licenses, per ASWB. A CSWE-accredited degree is required for each.
| License | Education | Supervised hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW) | Master of Social Work | — | Exam Not Required |
| Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) | Master of Social Work | 3200 hours | Clinical |
Source: ASWB social work licensure database. Verify current requirements with the California state board before applying.
Why Sacramento is the place to build a macro social work career
Sacramento is the seat of California government, and that shapes the kind of social work you can do here. If you are drawn to policy, program design, or systems change rather than a one-on-one caseload, few cities in the state put you closer to the agencies that write the rules and fund the services.
State departments, advocacy coalitions, and large public systems all headquarter in and around the capital, which means the macro track has real traction here. Students who lean toward analysis and administration often find their footing faster in Sacramento than on the coast. If you are still weighing direct practice against the bigger picture, our explainer on the difference between macro and mezzo work is a useful starting point.
MSW field placements in Sacramento's state agencies
Field education is where Sacramento's location pays off. Because so many state and county offices operate here, placement supervisors can send students into large public systems that many programs elsewhere only read about. Working inside a bureaucracy of that scale teaches you how decisions actually move, who signs off, and where good intentions stall.
That experience compounds. Students who complete placements in public agencies often move into the same systems after graduation, since hiring managers already know the training. It is not glamorous work, but it is durable, and it feeds directly into the community-management roles we cover on our careers pages.
Refugee and immigrant social work in Sacramento
Sacramento has long been a landing place for refugee and immigrant families, and the region's resettlement organizations carry a steady need for social workers who can navigate trauma, language barriers, and unfamiliar systems at once. This is patient, relationship-driven work, and it rewards students who are comfortable sitting with uncertainty.
Bilingual candidates are especially valued here, though the more important skill is cultural humility: the willingness to learn a family's history before assuming what they need. Placements with resettlement agencies often pair case management with community organizing, which makes them a strong fit for students who want both the human contact and the social justice grounding that drew many of us to the field.
Child welfare social work in Sacramento
Child and family work sits at the center of public social work in Sacramento. With California's child welfare apparatus administered from the capital region, students here get an unusually clear view of how policy, courts, and county caseloads interact. That vantage point is hard to replicate in a smaller market.
The work is demanding and the turnover is real, but the demand is steady, and the training you receive translates anywhere in the state. Many graduates begin in county child welfare before moving into supervision or specialized roles. If this path interests you, read more about the child and family social worker career and what licensure requires before you commit.
Is Sacramento more affordable than the Bay Area or coast?
For MSW students weighing where to study, Sacramento's cost of living is one of its quiet advantages. Housing costs less than in San Francisco or the coastal cities, and a graduate stipend or part-time job tends to stretch further here. That breathing room matters when you are borrowing to finish a degree.
The city also sits within reach of the Bay Area for those who want occasional access to it without paying to live there. Combine lower rents with the abundance of public-sector placements that qualify for loan forgiveness, and Sacramento becomes a practical choice. Compare it against nearby options on our California rankings and on the San Francisco page before deciding.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CSWE-accredited MSW programs are in Sacramento, CA?
How much do social workers earn in Sacramento, CA?
Can I earn an MSW online from Sacramento, CA?
What license do MSW graduates need in California?
MSW programs in other California cities
Sources
- CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs for program accreditation, campuses, and structure.
- U.S. Census Bureau 2023 Gazetteer (city coordinates) and Population Estimates Program (population).
- ASWB social work licensure database for California license requirements.
Published 2026-06-12; last updated 2026-06-23. "Near" means a program campus within 60 straight-line miles of the city center.