Colorado · MSW programs by city

Best MSW Programs near Colorado Springs, CO (2026)

Last updated June 12, 2026

Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS

Colorado Springs, Colorado (population 488,664) has 2 CSWE-accredited MSW programs based in the city . 5 Colorado programs also offer an online option. Every program below is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the requirement for Colorado licensure.

Best MSW programs in Colorado Springs, CO

Accredited programs with a campus in Colorado Springs, CO, 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 Colorado Springs, CO

University of Colorado, Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs, CO, CO · CSWE-accredited since 2020 · Online or On-Campus

5.2

1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing Online option
Why it ranks here

University of Colorado, Colorado Springs has held CSWE accreditation since 2020, 6 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Colorado Springs, CO). It records 1 concentration (Trauma). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time.

Concentrations

Trauma

Program website CSWE directory
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 2.7
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 4.7
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 7.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
#2 In Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado State University-Pueblo

Pueblo, CO, CO · CSWE-accredited since 2019 · Online or On-Campus

5.1

1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing Online option
Why it ranks here

Colorado State University-Pueblo has held CSWE accreditation since 2019, 7 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Pueblo, CO; Colorado Springs, CO). It records 1 concentration (Advanced Generalist). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. The program runs on a full-time plan of study.

Concentrations

Advanced Generalist

Program website CSWE directory
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 2.8
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 4.7
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 9.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 6.0

Online MSW programs available in Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Colorado Springs, CO residents can complete from home. See the full online MSW ranking for national options.

Institution	Accredited	Adv. Standing	Natl.
University of Denver	1933	Yes	#18
Colorado State University	1987	Yes	#38
Metropolitan State University of Denver	2011	Yes	#240
University of Colorado, Colorado Springs	2020	Yes	#287
Colorado State University-Pueblo	2019	Yes	#293

How much do social workers make in Colorado Springs, CO in 2026?

Colorado Springs, Colorado sits within the Colorado Springs, CO metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 2,010 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is healthcare social workers at a $72,670 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	380	$72,670	$44,690 – $89,810
Mental health & substance abuse social workers	140	$63,860	$38,350 – $97,720
Child, family & school social workers	1,210	$60,320	$45,320 – $98,790
Social workers, all other	280	$67,260	$40,210 – $109,140
Social & community service managers (macro)	300	$98,060	$61,440 – $150,220

How local pay compares

Child, family & school social workers around Colorado Springs, CO earn a median of $60,320 versus $63,720 statewide in Colorado and $67,310 nationally. That is below the Colorado median.

Where do social workers work in Colorado Springs, CO in 2026?

Colorado Springs, Colorado sits in El Paso County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:

El Paso County Department of Human Services
UCHealth Memorial Hospital and Penrose-St. Francis
Diversus Health
Colorado Springs School District 11
Cedar Springs Hospital

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 Colorado Springs, CO; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.

What kind of social work license do I need in Colorado Springs, CO?

After an MSW from Colorado Springs, CO or anywhere, these are the Colorado social work licenses, per ASWB. A CSWE-accredited degree is required for each.

License	Education	Supervised hours	Exam
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)	Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work	3360 hours	Clinical
Licensed Social Worker (LSW)	Master of Social Work	—	Exam Not Required; Masters exam is optional

Source: ASWB social work licensure database. Verify current requirements with the Colorado state board before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many CSWE-accredited MSW programs are in Colorado Springs, CO?

Colorado Springs, Colorado has 2 CSWE-accredited MSW programs with a campus in the city. All are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the prerequisite for social work licensure in Colorado.

How much do social workers earn in Colorado Springs, CO?

Social work wages in the Colorado Springs, CO metro area vary by specialty. Healthcare social workers are the best paid at a $72,670 annual median, while mental health and substance abuse social workers earn about $63,860. See the full wage table above. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

Can I earn an MSW online from Colorado Springs, CO?

Yes. 5 CSWE-accredited Colorado MSW programs offer an online option you can complete from Colorado Springs, CO, and additional out-of-state online programs are available nationally. Online CSWE-accredited degrees carry the same accreditation and licensure eligibility as on-campus programs.

What license do MSW graduates need in Colorado?

Colorado issues the LCSW and LSW. The LCSW requires a CSWE-accredited MSW, supervised post-degree hours, and the ASWB Clinical exam. See the licensure summary above and our credentials guide.

MSW programs in other Colorado cities

Aurora, CO 0 in · 4 near Denver, CO 2 in · 1 near Fort Collins, CO 1 in · 2 near Lakewood, CO 0 in · 3 near

See all Colorado 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 Colorado license requirements.

Last updated 2026-06-12. "Near" means a program campus within 60 straight-line miles of the city center.