Minnesota · MSW programs by city
Best MSW Programs near Duluth, MN (2026)
Last updated
Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS
Duluth, Minnesota (population 87,680) has 2 CSWE-accredited MSW programs based in the city . 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 Duluth, MN
Accredited programs with a campus in Duluth, MN, 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 Duluth, MN
University of Minnesota-Duluth
Duluth, MN, MN · CSWE-accredited since 1973 · Online or On-Campus
6.9
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
University of Minnesota-Duluth has held CSWE accreditation since 1973, 53 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Duluth, MN). It records 1 concentration (Advanced Generalist). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Concentrations
Advanced Generalist
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 8.4
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 4.7
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 7.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #2 In Duluth, MN
College of Saint Scholastica
Duluth, MN, MN · CSWE-accredited since 2013 · Online or On-Campus
5.6
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
College of Saint Scholastica has held CSWE accreditation since 2013, 13 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Duluth, 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.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 3.6
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 4.7
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 8.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
Online MSW programs available in Duluth, MN
Minnesota-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Duluth, 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 Duluth, MN in 2026?
Duluth, Minnesota sits within the Duluth, MN-WI metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 1,100 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is social workers, all other at a $80,490 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 | $63,590 | $58,000 – $80,110 |
| Mental health & substance abuse social workers | 190 | $70,390 | $47,600 – $99,460 |
| Child, family & school social workers | 240 | $62,240 | $45,760 – $80,910 |
| Social workers, all other | 510 | $80,490 | $52,550 – $96,670 |
| Social & community service managers (macro) | 300 | $75,410 | $53,850 – $117,050 |
How local pay compares
Social workers, all other around Duluth, MN earn a median of $80,490 versus $79,790 statewide in Minnesota and $72,290 nationally. That is at or above the Minnesota median.
Where do social workers work in Duluth, MN in 2026?
Duluth, Minnesota sits in St. Louis County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:
- St. Louis County Public Health and Human Services
- Essentia Health and St. Luke’s
- Duluth Public Schools
- Human Development Center
- Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota
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 Duluth, MN-WI; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.
What kind of social work license do I need in Duluth, MN?
After an MSW from Duluth, 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 Duluth, MN?
How much do social workers earn in Duluth, MN?
Can I earn an MSW online from Duluth, 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.