New York · MSW programs by city
Best MSW Programs near Utica, NY (2026)
Published · Last updated
Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS in Psychology
Utica, New York (population 63,607) has no MSW campus within city limits , with 1 more accredited program within about 60 miles. 17 New York programs also offer an online option. Every program below is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the requirement for New York licensure.
Best MSW programs in Utica, NY
No CSWE-accredited MSW program currently lists a campus inside Utica, NY. See the nearby and online options below.
Best MSW programs near Utica, NY
Accredited programs whose nearest campus is within about 60 miles of Utica, NY, ranked by our five-factor model. Each card shows the campus city and straight-line distance from the city center.
- #1 Syracuse · ~46 mi
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY, NY · CSWE-accredited since 1958 · Online or On-Campus
8.8
2 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online option Carnegie R1Why it ranks here
Syracuse University has held CSWE accreditation since 1958, 68 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Syracuse, NY). It records 2 concentrations (Clinical or Direct Practice; Integrated 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. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R1 classification for very high research activity.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice, Integrated Practice
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 10.0
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 6.9
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 10.0
- Delivery format (18%) 7.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
Online MSW programs available in Utica, NY
New York-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Utica, NY residents can complete from home. See the full online MSW ranking for national options.
| Institution | Accredited | Adv. Standing | Natl. |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York University | 1955 | Yes | #24 |
| Syracuse University | 1958 | Yes | #28 |
| Columbia University | 1919 | Yes | #42 |
| Yeshiva University | 1959 | Yes | #45 |
| Fordham University | 1929 | Yes | #46 |
| University at Buffalo, State University of New York | 1934 | Yes | #48 |
| University at Albany, State University of New York | 1968 | Yes | #56 |
| State University of New York at Stony Brook | 1971 | Yes | #59 |
| Adelphi University | 1951 | Yes | #72 |
| Touro University | 2007 | Yes | #120 |
| Roberts Wesleyan University | 1997 | Yes | #125 |
| Binghamton University, State University of New York | 2003 | Yes | #156 |
| Nazareth University | 2002 | Yes | #202 |
| Keuka College | 2015 | Yes | #238 |
| Utica University | 2021 | No | #292 |
| Daemen University | 2015 | Yes | #322 |
| State University of New York at Plattsburgh | 2024 | No | #349 |
How much do social workers make in Utica, NY in 2026?
Utica, New York sits within the Utica-Rome, NY metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 1,070 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is social workers, all other at a $79,420 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 | 240 | $58,780 | $45,670 – $81,170 |
| Mental health & substance abuse social workers | 190 | $73,200 | $47,140 – $96,270 |
| Child, family & school social workers | 550 | $59,090 | $46,720 – $87,750 |
| Social workers, all other | 90 | $79,420 | $52,230 – $95,820 |
| Social & community service managers (macro) | 270 | $80,670 | $63,250 – $127,450 |
How local pay compares
Child, family & school social workers around Utica, NY earn a median of $59,090 versus $65,100 statewide in New York and $67,310 nationally. That is below the New York median.
Where do social workers work in Utica, NY in 2026?
Utica, New York sits in Oneida County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:
- Oneida County Department of Mental Health
- Mohawk Valley Health System (Wynn Hospital)
- Utica City School District
- The Neighborhood Center and Kids Oneida
- Oneida County Department of Social 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 Utica-Rome, NY; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.
What kind of social work license do I need in Utica, NY?
After an MSW from Utica, NY or anywhere, these are the New York social work licenses, per ASWB. A CSWE-accredited degree is required for each.
| License | Education | Supervised hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) | Master of Social Work | 2000 hours | Clinical |
| Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) | Master of Social Work | — | Masters |
Source: ASWB social work licensure database. Verify current requirements with the New York state board before applying.
Refugee resettlement social work in Utica
Utica has long been known as a city that welcomes refugees, and resettlement has reshaped its neighborhoods, schools, and workforce. Social workers are central to that story, helping newly arrived families navigate housing, benefits, health care, and the long process of building a life in a new country.
For MSW students, few places offer richer training in cross-cultural practice. Seek placements with resettlement agencies and the community organizations that support new Americans, and read our guide to becoming a community service manager if you want to help lead these programs.
Why multilingual social workers are in demand in Utica
Because of its refugee history, Utica is home to residents who speak an unusually wide range of languages. Agencies, clinics, and schools constantly need social workers who can either speak those languages or work skillfully with interpreters while staying culturally attuned.
If you bring language skills, they are a genuine asset in this market; if you do not, this is an ideal place to sharpen your cross-cultural competence. Either way, name your strengths on every application and ask programs to match you with placements serving the city's many immigrant and refugee communities.
Why Utica is an affordable place to earn an MSW
Utica and the Mohawk Valley are among the more affordable parts of New York, which changes the math of earning an MSW. Lower housing and living costs mean students can concentrate on field hours and coursework without the financial pressure that defines downstate life.
That advantage carries into early practice, when a modest social work salary goes further here than in the city. To see how regional costs and earnings interact across settings, review our social work salary guide as you decide where to launch your career.
Community revitalization and macro social work in Utica
Utica's revitalization has been driven in large part by immigrants and refugees who reopened storefronts and reoccupied neighborhoods. Social workers contribute to that momentum through community organizing, program development, and advocacy that connects individual well-being to the health of the city as a whole.
This is fertile ground for macro practice, where the client is a neighborhood or a system rather than a single person. If that scale interests you, our explainer on the difference between macro and mezzo social work can help you decide how to shape your MSW.
Healthcare social work in Utica
Utica's hospitals and clinics serve a strikingly diverse patient population, including many refugee and immigrant families for whom navigating American health care is genuinely new. Healthcare social workers help bridge that gap, coordinating discharge plans, interpreters, and community resources so care actually reaches people.
The role blends clinical skill with cultural sensitivity and offers a clear path toward licensure. New York credentials practitioners as the LMSW and LCSW through the state Office of the Professions; our credentials guide and our healthcare social work overview together map the road from your degree into this field.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CSWE-accredited MSW programs are in Utica, NY?
How much do social workers earn in Utica, NY?
Can I earn an MSW online from Utica, NY?
What license do MSW graduates need in New York?
MSW programs in other New York 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 New York license requirements.
Published 2026-06-12; last updated 2026-06-23. "Near" means a program campus within 60 straight-line miles of the city center.