Illinois · MSW programs by city
Best MSW Programs near Rockford, IL (2026)
Last updated
Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS
Rockford, Illinois (population 146,120) has no MSW campus within city limits , with 1 more accredited program within about 60 miles. 8 Illinois programs also offer an online option. Every program below is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the requirement for Illinois licensure.
Best MSW programs in Rockford, IL
No CSWE-accredited MSW program currently lists a campus inside Rockford, IL. See the nearby and online options below.
Best MSW programs near Rockford, IL
Accredited programs whose nearest campus is within about 60 miles of Rockford, IL, ranked by our five-factor model. Each card shows the campus city and straight-line distance from the city center.
- #1 Woodstock · ~32 mi
Aurora University
Aurora, IL, IL · CSWE-accredited since 1974 · Online or On-Campus
8.2
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
Aurora University has held CSWE accreditation since 1974, 52 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Aurora, IL; Williams Bay, WI; Woodstock, IL). It records 1 concentration (Clinical or Direct Practice). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 2 dual-degree options and 3 embedded certificates.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 8.2
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 9.1
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 9.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
Online MSW programs available in Rockford, IL
Illinois-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Rockford, IL residents can complete from home. See the full online MSW ranking for national options.
| Institution | Accredited | Adv. Standing | Natl. |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | 1946 | Yes | #27 |
| Loyola University Chicago | 1921 | Yes | #30 |
| Aurora University | 1974 | Yes | #57 |
| Southern Illinois University Carbondale | 1988 | Yes | #91 |
| Dominican University | 2001 | Yes | #113 |
| University of St. Francis, The | 2006 | Yes | #131 |
| Erikson Institute | 2013 | Yes | #220 |
| Chamberlain University | 2019 | Yes | #300 |
How much do social workers make in Rockford, IL in 2026?
Rockford, Illinois sits within the Rockford, IL metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 790 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is healthcare social workers at a $63,070 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 | 160 | $63,070 | $45,490 – $90,390 |
| Mental health & substance abuse social workers | 110 | $45,280 | $40,380 – $56,510 |
| Child, family & school social workers | 450 | $61,940 | $36,530 – $94,030 |
| Social workers, all other | 70 | $48,530 | $45,410 – $102,360 |
| Social & community service managers (macro) | 140 | $74,990 | $59,990 – $117,790 |
How local pay compares
Child, family & school social workers around Rockford, IL earn a median of $61,940 versus $63,220 statewide in Illinois and $67,310 nationally. That is below the Illinois median.
Where do social workers work in Rockford, IL in 2026?
Rockford, Illinois sits in Winnebago County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:
- Rosecrance Health Network
- OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center and Mercyhealth
- Rockford Public Schools
- Winnebago County Health Department
- Children’s Home + Aid
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 Rockford, IL; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.
What kind of social work license do I need in Rockford, IL?
After an MSW from Rockford, IL or anywhere, these are the Illinois social work licenses, per ASWB. A CSWE-accredited degree is required for each.
| License | Education | Supervised hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Clinical Social Worker 1 (LCSW1) | Master of Social Work | 3000 hours | Clinical; Alternative path if exam attempted at leasat once |
| Licensed Clinical Social Worker 2 (LCSW2) | Doctorate of Social Work | 2000 hours | Clinical; Alternative path if exam attempted at leasat once |
| Licensed Clinical Social Worker 3 (LCSW3) | Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work | Clinical | |
| Licensed Social Worker 1 (LSW1) | Master of Social Work | — | Exam Not Required |
| Licensed Social Worker 2 (LSW2) | Bachelor of Social Work | Three years required number of hours not specified | Exam Not Required |
Source: ASWB social work licensure database. Verify current requirements with the Illinois state board before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CSWE-accredited MSW programs are in Rockford, IL?
How much do social workers earn in Rockford, IL?
Can I earn an MSW online from Rockford, IL?
What license do MSW graduates need in Illinois?
MSW programs in other Illinois 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 Illinois license requirements.
Last updated 2026-06-12. "Near" means a program campus within 60 straight-line miles of the city center.