Ohio · MSW programs by city
Best MSW Programs near Cincinnati, OH (2026)
Last updated
Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS
Cincinnati, Ohio (population 311,097) has 1 CSWE-accredited MSW program based in the city , with 2 more accredited programs within about 60 miles. 5 Ohio programs also offer an online option. Every program below is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the requirement for Ohio licensure.
Best MSW programs in Cincinnati, OH
Accredited programs with a campus in Cincinnati, OH, 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 Cincinnati, OH
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH, OH · CSWE-accredited since 1978 · On-Campus
8.2
4 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing On-campus Carnegie R1Why it ranks here
University of Cincinnati has held CSWE accreditation since 1978, 48 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Cincinnati, OH). It records 4 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 1 dual-degree option and 1 embedded certificate. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R1 classification for very high research activity.
Concentrations
Children, Youth, and Families, Healthcare, Mental Health, Aging and Gerontological Practice
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 7.8
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 10.0
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 10.0
- Delivery format (18%) 4.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
Best MSW programs near Cincinnati, OH
Accredited programs whose nearest campus is within about 60 miles of Cincinnati, OH, ranked by our five-factor model. Each card shows the campus city and straight-line distance from the city center.
- #1 Middletown · ~26 mi
Miami University
Middletown, OH, OH · CSWE-accredited since 2011 · On-Campus
6.6
7 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing On-campus Carnegie R2Why it ranks here
Miami University has held CSWE accreditation since 2011, 15 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Middletown, OH). It records 7 concentrations (Substance Use Disorders; Advanced Generalist; Children, Youth, and Families; and more). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 1 embedded certificate. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Concentrations
Substance Use Disorders, Advanced Generalist, Children, Youth, and Families, School Social Work, Aging and Gerontological Practice, Human Behavior, Macro Social Work
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 3.8
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 10.0
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 7.5
- Delivery format (18%) 4.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #2 Dayton · ~47 mi
Wright State University
Fairborn/Dayton, OH, OH · CSWE-accredited since 2011 · On-Campus
5.8
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing On-campus Carnegie R2Why it ranks here
Wright State University has held CSWE accreditation since 2011, 15 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Fairborn/Dayton, OH). It records 1 concentration (Advanced Generalist). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 2 embedded certificates. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Concentrations
Advanced Generalist
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 3.8
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 6.3
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 7.5
- Delivery format (18%) 4.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
Online MSW programs available in Cincinnati, OH
Ohio-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Cincinnati, OH residents can complete from home. See the full online MSW ranking for national options.
| Institution | Accredited | Adv. Standing | Natl. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Western Reserve University | 1919 | Yes | #29 |
| Ohio State University, The | 1919 | Yes | #43 |
| Cleveland State University | 1996 | Yes | #103 |
| University of Akron | 1996 | Yes | #107 |
| Ohio University | 2001 | Yes | #116 |
How much do social workers make in Cincinnati, OH in 2026?
Cincinnati, Ohio sits within the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 5,620 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is healthcare social workers at a $70,670 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 | 1,600 | $70,670 | $47,540 – $95,290 |
| Mental health & substance abuse social workers | 970 | $45,390 | $35,050 – $72,330 |
| Child, family & school social workers | 2,580 | $55,080 | $40,340 – $76,080 |
| Social workers, all other | 470 | $65,770 | $39,210 – $103,440 |
| Social & community service managers (macro) | 1,080 | $72,940 | $49,710 – $113,010 |
How local pay compares
Child, family & school social workers around Cincinnati, OH earn a median of $55,080 versus $51,520 statewide in Ohio and $67,310 nationally. That is at or above the Ohio median.
Where do social workers work in Cincinnati, OH in 2026?
Cincinnati, Ohio sits in Hamilton County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:
- Hamilton County Job and Family Services and Mental Health & Recovery Services Board
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
- TriHealth and UC Health
- Cincinnati Public Schools
- Talbert House
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 Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.
What kind of social work license do I need in Cincinnati, OH?
After an MSW from Cincinnati, OH or anywhere, these are the Ohio social work licenses, per ASWB. A CSWE-accredited degree is required for each.
| License | Education | Supervised hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) | Master of Social Work | 3000 hours | Advanced Generalist or Clinical |
| Licensed Social Worker (LSW) | Bachelor of Social Work or Master of Social Work or PhD in Social Work | — | Bachelors or Masters |
| Social Work Assistant (SWA) | Associate/Diploma (2 year degree) | — | Exam Not Required |
Source: ASWB social work licensure database. Verify current requirements with the Ohio state board before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CSWE-accredited MSW programs are in Cincinnati, OH?
How much do social workers earn in Cincinnati, OH?
Can I earn an MSW online from Cincinnati, OH?
What license do MSW graduates need in Ohio?
MSW programs in other Ohio 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 Ohio license requirements.
Last updated 2026-06-12. "Near" means a program campus within 60 straight-line miles of the city center.