Best MSW Programs near St. Paul, MN (2026)

Best MSW programs in St. Paul, MN

Accredited programs with a campus in St. Paul, 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. #1 In St. Paul, MN

   University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

   Saint Paul, MN, MN · CSWE-accredited since 1919  ·  On-Campus

   8.0

   5 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing On-campus

   Why 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

   Program website CSWE directory

   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. #2 In St. Paul, MN

   University of Saint Thomas

   Saint Paul, MN, MN · CSWE-accredited since 1990  ·  Online or On-Campus

   7.2

   3 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online option

   Why 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

   Program website CSWE directory

   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. #3 In St. Paul, MN

   St. Catherine University

   St. Paul, MN, MN · CSWE-accredited since 1990  ·  On-Campus

   6.0

   1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing On-campus

   Why 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

   Program website CSWE directory

   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

Best MSW programs near St. Paul, MN

Accredited programs whose nearest campus is within about 60 miles of St. Paul, MN, ranked by our five-factor model. Each card shows the campus city and straight-line distance from the city center.

1. #1 Minneapolis · ~8 mi

   Augsburg University

   Minneapolis, MN, MN · CSWE-accredited since 1993  ·  On-Campus

   6.5

   2 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing On-campus

   Why 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

   Program website CSWE directory

   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

Online MSW programs available in St. Paul, MN

Minnesota-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which St. Paul, MN residents can complete from home. See the full online MSW ranking for national options.

How much do social workers make in St. Paul, MN in 2026?

St. Paul, 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).

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 St. Paul, MN?

After an MSW from St. Paul, MN or anywhere, these are the Minnesota social work licenses, per ASWB. A CSWE-accredited degree is required for each.

Source: ASWB social work licensure database. Verify current requirements with the Minnesota state board before applying.