Kentucky · MSW programs by city
Best MSW Programs near Louisville, KY (2026)
Last updated
Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS
Louisville, Kentucky (population 622,981) has 2 CSWE-accredited MSW programs based in the city . 9 Kentucky programs also offer an online option. Every program below is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the requirement for Kentucky licensure.
Best MSW programs in Louisville, KY
Accredited programs with a campus in Louisville, KY, 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 Louisville, KY National #17 Online #17
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY, KY · CSWE-accredited since 1937 · Online or On-Campus
9.1
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing Online option Carnegie R1Why it ranks here
University of Louisville has held CSWE accreditation since 1937, 89 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Louisville, KY). 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 dual-degree options and 1 embedded certificate. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R1 classification for very high research activity.
Concentrations
Advanced Generalist
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 10.0
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 8.5
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 10.0
- Delivery format (18%) 7.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #2 In Louisville, KY
Spalding University
Louisville, KY · CSWE-accredited since 1999 · Online or On-Campus
5.7
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
Spalding University has held CSWE accreditation since 1999, 27 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Louisville; KY). 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
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 5.2
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 4.7
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 8.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 6.0
Online MSW programs available in Louisville, KY
Kentucky-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Louisville, KY residents can complete from home. See the full online MSW ranking for national options.
| Institution | Accredited | Adv. Standing | Natl. |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Kentucky | 1970 | Yes | #15 |
| University of Louisville | 1937 | Yes | #17 |
| Northern Kentucky University | 2010 | Yes | #122 |
| Western Kentucky University | 2002 | Yes | #151 |
| Eastern Kentucky University | 2020 | Yes | #195 |
| Spalding University | 1999 | Yes | #227 |
| Campbellsville University | 2008 | Yes | #251 |
| Brescia University | 2016 | Yes | #269 |
| University of Pikeville | 2020 | Yes | #278 |
How much do social workers make in Louisville, KY in 2026?
Louisville, Kentucky sits within the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 2,980 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is social workers, all other at a $105,370 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 | 620 | $68,970 | $47,370 – $88,860 |
| Mental health & substance abuse social workers | 440 | $45,930 | $37,370 – $76,150 |
| Child, family & school social workers | 1,760 | $59,100 | $39,680 – $81,540 |
| Social workers, all other | 160 | $105,370 | $51,900 – $121,850 |
| Social & community service managers (macro) | 660 | $73,940 | $48,280 – $125,300 |
How local pay compares
Child, family & school social workers around Louisville, KY earn a median of $59,100 versus $59,100 statewide in Kentucky and $67,310 nationally. That is at or above the Kentucky median.
Where do social workers work in Louisville, KY in 2026?
Louisville, Kentucky sits in Jefferson County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:
- Centerstone Kentucky
- UofL Health and Norton Healthcare (Norton Children’s)
- Jefferson County Public Schools
- Louisville Metro Government
- Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family 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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.
What kind of social work license do I need in Louisville, KY?
After an MSW from Louisville, KY or anywhere, these are the Kentucky social work licenses, per ASWB. A CSWE-accredited degree is required for each.
| License | Education | Supervised hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Social Worker (CSW) | Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work | Two years required number of hours not specified | Masters |
| Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) | Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work | Two years required number of hours not specified | Clinical |
| Licensed Social Worker 1 (LSW1) | Bachelor of Social Work | — | Bachelors |
| Licensed Social Worker 2 (LSW2) | Required number of hours not specified | Bachelors |
Source: ASWB social work licensure database. Verify current requirements with the Kentucky state board before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CSWE-accredited MSW programs are in Louisville, KY?
How much do social workers earn in Louisville, KY?
Can I earn an MSW online from Louisville, KY?
What license do MSW graduates need in Kentucky?
MSW programs in other Kentucky 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 Kentucky license requirements.
Last updated 2026-06-12. "Near" means a program campus within 60 straight-line miles of the city center.