California · MSW programs by city
Best MSW Programs near San Diego, CA (2026)
Last updated
Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS in Psychology, MSW Student (Exp. Graduation 2028)
San Diego, California (population 1,388,320) 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 San Diego, CA
Accredited programs with a campus in San Diego, 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 San Diego, CA National #22 Online #22
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA, CA · CSWE-accredited since 1922 · Online or On-Campus
8.9
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
University of Southern California has held CSWE accreditation since 1922, 104 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Los Angeles, CA; San Diego, CA). It records 1 concentration (Integrated Practice). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 7 dual-degree options and 12 embedded certificates.
Concentrations
Integrated Practice
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 10.0
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 10.0
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 9.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #2 In San Diego, CA
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA, CA · CSWE-accredited since 1966 · On-Campus
8.6
3 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing On-campus Carnegie R1Why it ranks here
San Diego State University has held CSWE accreditation since 1966, 60 years of standing as of 2026. The program is offered on 2 approved campuses (San Diego, CA; Calexico, CA). It records 3 concentrations (Clinical or Direct Practice; Community Development and Social Systems; Management or Administration). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 1 dual-degree option and 1 embedded certificate. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R1 classification for very high research activity.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice, Community Development and Social Systems, Management or Administration
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 9.2
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 8.9
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 10.0
- Delivery format (18%) 5.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
Best MSW programs near San Diego, CA
Accredited programs whose nearest campus is within about 60 miles of San Diego, CA, ranked by our five-factor model. Each card shows the campus city and straight-line distance from the city center.
- #1 San Marcos · ~22 mi
California State University, San Marcos
San Marcos, CA, CA · CSWE-accredited since 2013 · Online or On-Campus
6.2
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
California State University, San Marcos has held CSWE accreditation since 2013, 13 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (San Marcos, CA). It records 1 concentration (Advanced Generalist). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 3 embedded certificates.
Concentrations
Advanced Generalist
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 3.6
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 7.1
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 8.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
Online MSW programs available in San Diego, CA
California-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which San Diego, 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 San Diego, CA in 2026?
San Diego, California sits within the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 7,010 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is healthcare social workers at a $82,630 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 | 1,440 | $82,630 | $50,870 – $125,750 |
| Mental health & substance abuse social workers | 1,030 | $75,570 | $50,010 – $130,620 |
| Child, family & school social workers | 3,820 | $59,770 | $46,440 – $92,890 |
| Social workers, all other | 720 | $77,010 | $36,190 – $136,260 |
| Social & community service managers (macro) | 2,910 | $79,770 | $55,490 – $133,380 |
How local pay compares
Child, family & school social workers around San Diego, CA earn a median of $59,770 versus $65,200 statewide in California and $67,310 nationally. That is below the California median.
Where do social workers work in San Diego, CA in 2026?
San Diego, California sits in San Diego County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:
- County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, Behavioral Health Services
- Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego
- UC San Diego Health
- VA San Diego Healthcare System
- San Diego Unified School District
- San Diego Youth Services
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 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.
What kind of social work license do I need in San Diego, CA?
After an MSW from San Diego, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CSWE-accredited MSW programs are in San Diego, CA?
How much do social workers earn in San Diego, CA?
Can I earn an MSW online from San Diego, 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.
Last updated 2026-06-12. "Near" means a program campus within 60 straight-line miles of the city center.