Oregon · MSW programs by city
Best MSW Programs near Salem, OR (2026)
Last updated
Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS
Salem, Oregon (population 177,432) has no MSW campus within city limits , with 3 more accredited programs 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 Salem, OR
No CSWE-accredited MSW program currently lists a campus inside Salem, OR. See the nearby and online options below.
Best MSW programs near Salem, OR
Accredited programs whose nearest campus is within about 60 miles of Salem, OR, ranked by our five-factor model. Each card shows the campus city and straight-line distance from the city center.
- #1 Portland · ~46 mi 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 Portland · ~46 mi
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
- #3 Forest Grove · ~42 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 Salem, OR
Oregon-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Salem, 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 Salem, OR in 2026?
Salem, Oregon sits within the Salem, OR metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 1,400 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is healthcare social workers at a $80,020 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 | 180 | $80,020 | $53,990 – $107,520 |
| Mental health & substance abuse social workers | 360 | $68,210 | $54,280 – $105,160 |
| Child, family & school social workers | 480 | $64,700 | $47,310 – $98,110 |
| Social workers, all other | 380 | $70,320 | $49,650 – $92,370 |
| Social & community service managers (macro) | 460 | $110,210 | $64,990 – $150,820 |
How local pay compares
Child, family & school social workers around Salem, OR earn a median of $64,700 versus $64,130 statewide in Oregon and $67,310 nationally. That is at or above the Oregon median.
Where do social workers work in Salem, OR in 2026?
Salem, Oregon sits in Marion County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:
- Marion County Health and Human Services
- Salem Health
- Salem-Keizer Public Schools
- Catholic Community Services
- Oregon Department of Human Services (state headquarters)
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 Salem, OR; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.
What kind of social work license do I need in Salem, OR?
After an MSW from Salem, 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 Salem, OR?
How much do social workers earn in Salem, OR?
Can I earn an MSW online from Salem, 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.