Ohio · MSW programs by city

Best MSW Programs near Toledo, OH (2026)

Last updated June 12, 2026

Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS

Toledo, Ohio (population 265,304) has 1 CSWE-accredited MSW program based in the city , with 1 more accredited program 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 Toledo, OH

Accredited programs with a campus in Toledo, 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 Toledo, OH

University of Toledo

Toledo, OH, OH · CSWE-accredited since 2004 · On-Campus

5.4

1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing On-campus
Why it ranks here

University of Toledo has held CSWE accreditation since 2004, 22 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Toledo, 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.

Concentrations

Advanced Generalist

Program website CSWE directory
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 4.6
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 4.7
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 5.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0

Best MSW programs near Toledo, OH

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

#1 Bowling Green · ~20 mi

Bowling Green State University

Bowling Green, OH, OH · CSWE-accredited since 2017 · On-Campus

4.8

1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing On-campus
Why it ranks here

Bowling Green State University has held CSWE accreditation since 2017, 9 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Bowling Green, 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.

Concentrations

Advanced Generalist

Program website CSWE directory
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 3.1
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 4.7
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 4.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0

Online MSW programs available in Toledo, OH

Ohio-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Toledo, 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 Toledo, OH in 2026?

Toledo, Ohio sits within the Toledo, OH metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 1,760 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is healthcare social workers at a $60,540 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	460	$60,540	$45,180 – $78,940
Mental health & substance abuse social workers	350	$46,600	$36,900 – $73,180
Child, family & school social workers	740	$57,990	$39,350 – $77,220
Social workers, all other	210	$59,090	$37,870 – $84,990
Social & community service managers (macro)	290	$72,380	$45,760 – $104,510

How local pay compares

Child, family & school social workers around Toledo, OH earn a median of $57,990 versus $51,520 statewide in Ohio and $67,310 nationally. That is at or above the Ohio median.

Where do social workers work in Toledo, OH in 2026?

Toledo, Ohio sits in Lucas County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:

Lucas County Children Services and the Mental Health & Recovery Services Board
ProMedica and Mercy Health
Toledo Public Schools
Unison Health
Harbor

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 Toledo, OH; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.

What kind of social work license do I need in Toledo, OH?

After an MSW from Toledo, 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 Toledo, OH?

Toledo, Ohio has 1 CSWE-accredited MSW program with a campus in the city, plus 1 more within about 60 miles. All are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the prerequisite for social work licensure in Ohio.

How much do social workers earn in Toledo, OH?

Social work wages in the Toledo, OH metro area vary by specialty. Healthcare social workers are the best paid at a $60,540 annual median, while mental health and substance abuse social workers earn about $46,600. See the full wage table above. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

Can I earn an MSW online from Toledo, OH?

Yes. 5 CSWE-accredited Ohio MSW programs offer an online option you can complete from Toledo, OH, and additional out-of-state online programs are available nationally. Online CSWE-accredited degrees carry the same accreditation and licensure eligibility as on-campus programs.

What license do MSW graduates need in Ohio?

Ohio issues the LISW and LSW and SWA. The clinical license requires a CSWE-accredited MSW, supervised post-degree hours, and the ASWB Clinical exam. See the licensure summary above and our credentials guide.

MSW programs in other Ohio cities

Cleveland, OH 2 in · 2 near Akron, OH 1 in · 3 near Cincinnati, OH 1 in · 2 near Columbus, OH 1 in · 0 near

See all 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.