Iowa · MSW programs by city

Best MSW Programs near Des Moines, IA (2026)

Published June 12, 2026 · Last updated June 23, 2026

Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS

Des Moines, Iowa (population 210,381) has 2 CSWE-accredited MSW programs based in the city . 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 Des Moines, IA

Accredited programs with a campus in Des Moines, 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 Des Moines, IA 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 R1
Why 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

Program website CSWE directory
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
#2 In Des Moines, IA

Grand View University

Des Moines, IA, IA · CSWE-accredited since 2022 · On-Campus

5.7

4 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing On-campus
Why it ranks here

Grand View University has held CSWE accreditation since 2022, 4 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Des Moines, IA). It records 4 concentrations (Clinical or Direct Practice; Management or Administration; School Social Work; and more). 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

Clinical or Direct Practice, Management or Administration, School Social Work, Leadership

Program website CSWE directory
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 2.5
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 9.1
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 5.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0

Online MSW programs available in Des Moines, IA

Iowa-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Des Moines, 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 Des Moines, IA in 2026?

Des Moines, Iowa sits within the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 1,580 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is social workers, all other at a $94,930 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	400	$62,360	$46,140 – $80,060
Mental health & substance abuse social workers	290	$49,750	$39,220 – $82,140
Child, family & school social workers	800	$56,280	$41,150 – $86,270
Social workers, all other	90	$94,930	$55,610 – $113,800
Social & community service managers (macro)	660	$73,840	$49,560 – $110,810

How local pay compares

Child, family & school social workers around Des Moines, IA earn a median of $56,280 versus $52,250 statewide in Iowa and $67,310 nationally. That is at or above the Iowa median.

Where do social workers work in Des Moines, IA in 2026?

Des Moines, Iowa sits in Polk County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:

Broadlawns Medical Center and Polk County Health Services
UnityPoint Health and MercyOne
Des Moines Public Schools
Orchard Place
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.

What kind of social work license do I need in Des Moines, IA?

After an MSW from Des Moines, 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 Des Moines, IA?

Des Moines, Iowa 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 Iowa.

How much do social workers earn in Des Moines, IA?

Social work wages in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area vary by specialty. Social workers, all other are the best paid at a $94,930 annual median, while mental health and substance abuse social workers earn about $49,750. See the full wage table above. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

Can I earn an MSW online from Des Moines, IA?

Yes. 4 CSWE-accredited Iowa MSW programs offer an online option you can complete from Des Moines, IA, 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 Iowa?

Iowa issues the LBSW and LISW and LMSW. The clinical license 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 Iowa cities

Cedar Rapids, IA 0 in · 2 near Davenport, IA 1 in · 1 near Iowa City, IA 1 in · 1 near Sioux City, IA 1 in · 0 near

See all 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.