Missouri · MSW programs by city
Best MSW Programs near St. Louis, MO (2026)
Last updated
Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS
St. Louis, Missouri (population 281,754) has 3 CSWE-accredited MSW programs based in the city . 5 Missouri programs also offer an online option. Every program below is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the requirement for Missouri licensure.
Best MSW programs in St. Louis, MO
Accredited programs with a campus in St. Louis, MO, 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 St. Louis, MO National #9 Online #9
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, MO, MO · CSWE-accredited since 1930 · Online or On-Campus
9.5
8 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online option Carnegie R1Why it ranks here
Saint Louis University has held CSWE accreditation since 1930, 96 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Saint Louis, MO). It records 8 concentrations (Clinical or Direct Practice; Community Development and Social Systems; 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 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, Community Development and Social Systems, Management or Administration, Mental Health, Other, Social Policy, Aging and Gerontological Practice, Macro Social Work
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 10.0
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 10.0
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 10.0
- Delivery format (18%) 7.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #2 In St. Louis, MO
Washington University in St. Louis
St. Louis, MO, MO · CSWE-accredited since 1928 · On-Campus
8.0
5 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing On-campusWhy it ranks here
Washington University in St. Louis has held CSWE accreditation since 1928, 98 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (St. Louis, MO). It records 5 concentrations (Children, Youth, and Families; Healthcare; Mental Health; and more). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 6 dual-degree options.
Concentrations
Children, Youth, and Families, Healthcare, Mental Health, Other, Practice with a Specific Racial or Ethnic Group
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
- #3 In St. Louis, MO
University of Missouri-St. Louis
St. Louis, MO, MO · CSWE-accredited since 1999 · Online or On-Campus
7.1
3 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online option Carnegie R2Why it ranks here
University of Missouri-St. Louis has held CSWE accreditation since 1999, 27 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (St. Louis, MO). It records 3 concentrations (Children, Youth, and Families; Social Justice; Leadership). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Concentrations
Children, Youth, and Families, Social Justice, Leadership
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 5.2
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 7.1
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 7.5
- Delivery format (18%) 8.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
Online MSW programs available in St. Louis, MO
Missouri-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which St. Louis, MO residents can complete from home. See the full online MSW ranking for national options.
| Institution | Accredited | Adv. Standing | Natl. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Louis University | 1930 | Yes | #9 |
| University of Missouri | 1919 | Yes | #16 |
| University of Missouri-St. Louis | 1999 | Yes | #101 |
| Missouri State University | 1998 | Yes | #206 |
| Missouri Baptist University | 2020 | Yes | #303 |
How much do social workers make in St. Louis, MO in 2026?
St. Louis, Missouri sits within the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 6,700 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is social workers, all other at a $93,100 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 | 1,860 | $62,200 | $40,400 – $92,100 |
| Mental health & substance abuse social workers | 820 | $49,520 | $37,270 – $72,800 |
| Child, family & school social workers | 3,790 | $51,080 | $41,980 – $83,160 |
| Social workers, all other | 230 | $93,100 | $48,040 – $114,960 |
| Social & community service managers (macro) | 1,360 | $73,980 | $48,540 – $114,420 |
How local pay compares
Child, family & school social workers around St. Louis, MO earn a median of $51,080 versus $48,520 statewide in Missouri and $67,310 nationally. That is at or above the Missouri median.
Where do social workers work in St. Louis, MO in 2026?
St. Louis, Missouri sits in City of St. Louis. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:
- BJC HealthCare, SSM Health, and Mercy
- Behavioral Health Network of Greater St. Louis
- St. Louis Public Schools
- Saint Louis University and Washington University
- Missouri Children’s Division
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 St. Louis, MO-IL; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.
What kind of social work license do I need in St. Louis, MO?
After an MSW from St. Louis, MO or anywhere, these are the Missouri social work licenses, per ASWB. A CSWE-accredited degree is required for each.
| License | Education | Supervised hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Advanced Macro Social Worker (LAMSW) | Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work | 3000 hours | Advanced Generalist |
| Licensed Bachelors Social Worker (LBSW) | Bachelor of Social Work | 3000 hours | Bachelors |
| Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) | Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work | 3000 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 Missouri state board before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CSWE-accredited MSW programs are in St. Louis, MO?
How much do social workers earn in St. Louis, MO?
Can I earn an MSW online from St. Louis, MO?
What license do MSW graduates need in Missouri?
MSW programs in other Missouri 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 Missouri license requirements.
Last updated 2026-06-12. "Near" means a program campus within 60 straight-line miles of the city center.