Minnesota · MSW programs by city
Best MSW Programs near Bloomington, MN (2026)
Last updated
Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS
Bloomington, Minnesota (population 87,398) has no MSW campus within city limits , with 5 more accredited programs within about 60 miles. 9 Minnesota programs also offer an online option. Every program below is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the requirement for Minnesota licensure.
Best MSW programs in Bloomington, MN
No CSWE-accredited MSW program currently lists a campus inside Bloomington, MN. See the nearby and online options below.
Best MSW programs near Bloomington, MN
Accredited programs whose nearest campus is within about 60 miles of Bloomington, MN, ranked by our five-factor model. Each card shows the campus city and straight-line distance from the city center.
- #1 St. Paul · ~13 mi
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Saint Paul, MN, MN · CSWE-accredited since 1919 · On-Campus
8.0
5 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing On-campusWhy it ranks here
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities has held CSWE accreditation since 1919, 107 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Saint Paul, MN). It records 5 concentrations (Children, Youth, and Families; Clinical or Direct Practice; Management or Administration; and more). 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.
Concentrations
Children, Youth, and Families, Clinical or Direct Practice, Management or Administration, Mental Health, Aging and Gerontological Practice
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 10.0
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 10.0
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 4.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #2 St. Paul · ~13 mi
University of Saint Thomas
Saint Paul, MN, MN · CSWE-accredited since 1990 · Online or On-Campus
7.2
3 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
University of Saint Thomas has held CSWE accreditation since 1990, 36 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Saint Paul, MN). It records 3 concentrations (Clinical or Direct Practice; Aging and Gerontological Practice; Immigrants and Refugees). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 1 dual-degree option.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice, Aging and Gerontological Practice, Immigrants and Refugees
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 6.3
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 8.1
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 8.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #3 Minneapolis · ~10 mi
Augsburg University
Minneapolis, MN, MN · CSWE-accredited since 1993 · On-Campus
6.5
2 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing On-campusWhy it ranks here
Augsburg University has held CSWE accreditation since 1993, 33 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Minneapolis, MN). It records 2 concentrations (Clinical or Direct Practice; Macro Social Work). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 1 dual-degree option and 1 embedded certificate.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice, Macro Social Work
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 6.0
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 7.7
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 5.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #4 St. Paul · ~13 mi
St. Catherine University
St. Paul, MN, MN · CSWE-accredited since 1990 · On-Campus
6.0
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing On-campusWhy it ranks here
St. Catherine University has held CSWE accreditation since 1990, 36 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (St. Paul, MN). 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 1 dual-degree option.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 6.3
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 5.7
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 4.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #5 Mankato · ~56 mi
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Mankato, MN, MN · CSWE-accredited since 2007 · On-Campus
4.7
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing On-campusWhy it ranks here
Minnesota State University, Mankato has held CSWE accreditation since 2007, 19 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Mankato, MN). 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%) 4.3
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 4.7
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 4.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 6.0
Online MSW programs available in Bloomington, MN
Minnesota-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Bloomington, MN residents can complete from home. See the full online MSW ranking for national options.
| Institution | Accredited | Adv. Standing | Natl. |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Saint Thomas | 1990 | Yes | #98 |
| University of Minnesota-Duluth | 1973 | Yes | #112 |
| Walden University | 2013 | Yes | #187 |
| College of Saint Scholastica | 2013 | Yes | #229 |
| Winona State University | 2019 | Yes | #273 |
| Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 2019 | Yes | #283 |
| Capella University | 2015 | Yes | #285 |
| Bethel University | 2021 | Yes | #308 |
| Minnesota State University, Moorhead | 2022 | Yes | #317 |
How much do social workers make in Bloomington, MN in 2026?
Bloomington, Minnesota sits within the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 12,730 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is social workers, all other at a $79,790 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 | 1,630 | $73,970 | $51,550 – $95,200 |
| Mental health & substance abuse social workers | 2,500 | $75,020 | $51,980 – $98,520 |
| Child, family & school social workers | 4,150 | $70,530 | $48,560 – $99,890 |
| Social workers, all other | 4,450 | $79,790 | $55,500 – $99,760 |
| Social & community service managers (macro) | 3,570 | $89,990 | $63,240 – $139,380 |
How local pay compares
Social workers, all other around Bloomington, MN earn a median of $79,790 versus $79,790 statewide in Minnesota and $72,290 nationally. That is at or above the Minnesota median.
Where do social workers work in Bloomington, MN in 2026?
Bloomington, Minnesota sits in Hennepin County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:
- Hennepin County Human Services
- M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital
- Bloomington Public Schools
- The Family Partnership
- Canvas Health
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 Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.
What kind of social work license do I need in Bloomington, MN?
After an MSW from Bloomington, MN or anywhere, these are the Minnesota social work licenses, per ASWB. A CSWE-accredited degree is required for each.
| License | Education | Supervised hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) | Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work | 4000 hours | Exam Not Required; Masters exam is optional |
| Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) | Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work | 4000 hours | Clinical |
| Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) | Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work | 4000 hours | Exam Not Required; Advanced Generalist exam is optional |
| Licensed Social Worker (LSW) | Bachelor of Social Work | 4000 hours | Exam Not Required; Bachelors exam is optional |
| Provisional Licensed Graduate Social Worker (PLGSW) | |||
| Provisional Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (PLICSW) | Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work | Exam Not Required | |
| Provisional Licensed Independent Social Worker (PLISW) | Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work | Exam Not Required or Exam Not Required | |
| Provisional Licensed Social Worker (PLSW) | Bachelor of Social Work | Exam Not Required |
Source: ASWB social work licensure database. Verify current requirements with the Minnesota state board before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CSWE-accredited MSW programs are in Bloomington, MN?
How much do social workers earn in Bloomington, MN?
Can I earn an MSW online from Bloomington, MN?
What license do MSW graduates need in Minnesota?
MSW programs in other Minnesota 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 Minnesota license requirements.
Last updated 2026-06-12. "Near" means a program campus within 60 straight-line miles of the city center.