Oregon · MSW programs by city
Best MSW Programs near Portland, OR (2026)
Last updated
Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS
Portland, Oregon (population 630,498) has 2 CSWE-accredited MSW programs based in the city , with 1 more accredited program within about 60 miles. 3 Oregon programs also offer an online option. Every program below is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the requirement for Oregon licensure.
Best MSW programs in Portland, OR
Accredited programs with a campus in Portland, OR, 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 Portland, OR National #25 Online #25
Portland State University
Portland, OR, OR · CSWE-accredited since 1964 · Online or On-Campus
8.9
2 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online option Carnegie R2Why it ranks here
Portland State University has held CSWE accreditation since 1964, 62 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Portland, OR; Eugene, OR; Bend, OR). 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 2 embedded certificates. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice, Macro Social Work
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 9.4
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 8.5
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 7.5
- Delivery format (18%) 9.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #2 In Portland, OR
George Fox University
Portland, OR, OR · CSWE-accredited since 2014 · Online or On-Campus
5.8
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
George Fox University has held CSWE accreditation since 2014, 12 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Portland, OR). 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 1 embedded certificate.
Concentrations
Advanced Generalist
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 3.4
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 5.5
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 8.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
Best MSW programs near Portland, OR
Accredited programs whose nearest campus is within about 60 miles of Portland, OR, ranked by our five-factor model. Each card shows the campus city and straight-line distance from the city center.
- #1 Forest Grove · ~22 mi
Pacific University
Forest Grove, OR, OR · CSWE-accredited since 2014 · Online or On-Campus
4.9
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
Pacific University has held CSWE accreditation since 2014, 12 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Forest Grove, OR). It records 1 concentration (Advanced Generalist). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Concentrations
Advanced Generalist
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 3.4
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 4.7
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 7.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 6.0
Online MSW programs available in Portland, OR
Oregon-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Portland, OR residents can complete from home. See the full online MSW ranking for national options.
| Institution | Accredited | Adv. Standing | Natl. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland State University | 1964 | Yes | #25 |
| George Fox University | 2014 | Yes | #216 |
| Pacific University | 2014 | Yes | #320 |
How much do social workers make in Portland, OR in 2026?
Portland, Oregon sits within the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 8,770 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is healthcare social workers at a $85,790 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 | 1,460 | $85,790 | $61,580 – $115,420 |
| Mental health & substance abuse social workers | 1,170 | $73,740 | $49,990 – $99,030 |
| Child, family & school social workers | 4,330 | $66,910 | $48,670 – $89,220 |
| Social workers, all other | 1,810 | $67,820 | $50,820 – $98,010 |
| Social & community service managers (macro) | 1,810 | $85,600 | $64,630 – $136,800 |
How local pay compares
Child, family & school social workers around Portland, OR earn a median of $66,910 versus $64,130 statewide in Oregon and $67,310 nationally. That is at or above the Oregon median.
Where do social workers work in Portland, OR in 2026?
Portland, Oregon sits in Multnomah County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:
- Multnomah County Health Department, Behavioral Health Division
- OHSU and Legacy Health
- Portland Public Schools
- Cascadia Health
- Oregon Department of Human 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 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.
What kind of social work license do I need in Portland, OR?
After an MSW from Portland, OR or anywhere, these are the Oregon social work licenses, per ASWB. A CSWE-accredited degree is required for each.
| License | Education | Supervised hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Social Work Associate (CSWA) | Master of Social Work | — | Exam Not Required |
| Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) | Master of Social Work | 3500 hours | Clinical |
| Licensed Master's Social Worker (LMSW) | Master of Social Work | — | Masters |
| Registered Baccalaureate Social Worker (RBSW) | Bachelor of Social Work | — | Bachelors |
Source: ASWB social work licensure database. Verify current requirements with the Oregon state board before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CSWE-accredited MSW programs are in Portland, OR?
How much do social workers earn in Portland, OR?
Can I earn an MSW online from Portland, OR?
What license do MSW graduates need in Oregon?
MSW programs in other Oregon 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 Oregon license requirements.
Last updated 2026-06-12. "Near" means a program campus within 60 straight-line miles of the city center.