Iowa · MSW programs by city
Best MSW Programs near Davenport, IA (2026)
Published · Last updated
Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS
Davenport, Iowa (population 100,354) has 1 CSWE-accredited MSW program based in the city , with 1 more accredited program within about 60 miles. 4 Iowa programs also offer an online option. Every program below is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the requirement for Iowa licensure.
Best MSW programs in Davenport, IA
Accredited programs with a campus in Davenport, IA, 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 Davenport, IA
St. Ambrose University
Davenport, IA, IA · CSWE-accredited since 1999 · Online or On-Campus
6.6
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
St. Ambrose University has held CSWE accreditation since 1999, 27 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Davenport, IA). It records 1 concentration (Other). 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 1 embedded certificate.
Concentrations
Other
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 5.2
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 7.5
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 7.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
Best MSW programs near Davenport, IA
Accredited programs whose nearest campus is within about 60 miles of Davenport, IA, ranked by our five-factor model. Each card shows the campus city and straight-line distance from the city center.
- #1 Iowa City · ~48 mi National #3 Online #3
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa, IA · CSWE-accredited since 1951 · Online or On-Campus
9.8
2 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online option Carnegie R1Why it ranks here
University of Iowa has held CSWE accreditation since 1951, 75 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Iowa City, Iowa; Des Moines, Iowa; Sioux City, Iowa). It records 2 concentrations (Clinical or Direct Practice; Other). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 4 dual-degree options and 1 embedded certificate. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R1 classification for very high research activity.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice, Other
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 10.0
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 10.0
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 10.0
- Delivery format (18%) 9.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
Online MSW programs available in Davenport, IA
Iowa-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Davenport, IA residents can complete from home. See the full online MSW ranking for national options.
| Institution | Accredited | Adv. Standing | Natl. |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Iowa | 1951 | Yes | #3 |
| St. Ambrose University | 1999 | Yes | #140 |
| University of Northern Iowa | 2002 | Yes | #180 |
| Dordt University | 2020 | Yes | #207 |
How much do social workers make in Davenport, IA in 2026?
Davenport, Iowa sits within the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 720 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is social workers, all other at a $81,000 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 | 150 | $58,920 | $45,060 – $75,870 |
| Mental health & substance abuse social workers | 120 | $58,830 | $39,010 – $88,100 |
| Child, family & school social workers | 400 | $58,640 | $39,020 – $85,260 |
| Social workers, all other | 50 | $81,000 | $43,700 – $110,390 |
| Social & community service managers (macro) | 250 | $66,300 | $46,870 – $102,710 |
How local pay compares
Child, family & school social workers around Davenport, IA earn a median of $58,640 versus $52,250 statewide in Iowa and $67,310 nationally. That is at or above the Iowa median.
Where do social workers work in Davenport, IA in 2026?
Davenport, Iowa sits in Scott County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:
- Vera French Community Mental Health Center
- Genesis Health System (MercyOne)
- Davenport Community School District
- Scott County Community Services
- Iowa Department of Health and Human 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 Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.
What kind of social work license do I need in Davenport, IA?
After an MSW from Davenport, IA or anywhere, these are the Iowa social work licenses, per ASWB. A CSWE-accredited degree is required for each.
| License | Education | Supervised hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) | Bachelor of Social Work | — | Bachelors |
| Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) | Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work | 4000 hours | Clinical |
| Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) | Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work | — | Masters |
Source: ASWB social work licensure database. Verify current requirements with the Iowa state board before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CSWE-accredited MSW programs are in Davenport, IA?
How much do social workers earn in Davenport, IA?
Can I earn an MSW online from Davenport, IA?
What license do MSW graduates need in Iowa?
MSW programs in other Iowa 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 Iowa 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.