Pennsylvania · MSW programs by city
Best MSW Programs near Philadelphia, PA (2026)
Published · Last updated
Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS in Psychology
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (population 1,550,542) has 4 CSWE-accredited MSW programs based in the city , with 3 more accredited programs within about 60 miles. 14 Pennsylvania programs also offer an online option. Every program below is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the requirement for Pennsylvania licensure.
Best MSW programs in Philadelphia, PA
Accredited programs with a campus in Philadelphia, PA, 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 Philadelphia, PA
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA, PA · CSWE-accredited since 1919 · On-Campus
8.0
2 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing On-campusWhy it ranks here
University of Pennsylvania has held CSWE accreditation since 1919, 107 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Philadelphia, PA). 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 9 dual-degree options and 5 embedded certificates.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice, Macro Social Work
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 10.0
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 10.0
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 4.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #2 In Philadelphia, PA
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA, PA · CSWE-accredited since 1969 · Online or On-Campus
7.8
2 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
Temple University has held CSWE accreditation since 1969, 57 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Philadelphia, PA). 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 2 dual-degree options.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice, Macro Social Work
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 8.8
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 7.9
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 7.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #3 In Philadelphia, PA
West Chester University
West Chester, PA, PA · CSWE-accredited since 1998 · On-Campus
6.6
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing On-campus Carnegie R2Why it ranks here
West Chester University has held CSWE accreditation since 1998, 28 years of standing as of 2026. The program is offered on 2 approved campuses (West Chester, PA; Philadelphia, PA). It records 1 concentration (Clinical or Direct Practice). 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
Clinical or Direct Practice
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 5.4
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 6.3
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 7.5
- Delivery format (18%) 6.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #4 In Philadelphia, PA
La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA, PA · CSWE-accredited since 2021 · On-Campus
5.4
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing On-campusWhy it ranks here
La Salle University has held CSWE accreditation since 2021, 5 years of standing as of 2026. The program is offered on 2 approved campuses (Philadelphia, PA; Plymouth Meeting, PA). It records 1 concentration (Other). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 2 dual-degree options.
Concentrations
Other
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 2.6
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 6.7
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 6.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
Best MSW programs near Philadelphia, PA
Accredited programs whose nearest campus is within about 60 miles of Philadelphia, PA, ranked by our five-factor model. Each card shows the campus city and straight-line distance from the city center.
- #1 Bryn Mawr · ~10 mi
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA, PA · CSWE-accredited since 1919 · Online or On-Campus
8.2
2 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
Bryn Mawr College has held CSWE accreditation since 1919, 107 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Bryn Mawr, PA). It records 2 concentrations (Clinical or Direct Practice; Community Development and Social Systems). 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.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice, Community Development and Social Systems
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 10.0
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 8.5
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 7.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #2 Chester · ~17 mi
Widener University
Chester, PA, PA · CSWE-accredited since 1993 · Online or On-Campus
6.8
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
Widener University has held CSWE accreditation since 1993, 33 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Chester, PA). It records 1 concentration (Clinical or Direct 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 and 1 embedded certificate.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 6.0
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 6.5
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 8.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #3 Kutztown · ~49 mi
Kutztown University
Kutztown, PA, PA · CSWE-accredited since 2003 · Online or On-Campus
6.4
2 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
Kutztown University has held CSWE accreditation since 2003, 23 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Kutztown, PA). It records 2 concentrations (Advanced Generalist; Children, Youth, and Families). 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, Children, Youth, and Families
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 4.8
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 6.7
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 8.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
Online MSW programs available in Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Philadelphia, PA residents can complete from home. See the full online MSW ranking for national options.
| Institution | Accredited | Adv. Standing | Natl. |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Pittsburgh | 1919 | Yes | #21 |
| Bryn Mawr College | 1919 | Yes | #54 |
| Marywood University | 1969 | Yes | #61 |
| Temple University | 1969 | Yes | #80 |
| Millersville University of Pennsylvania and Shippensburg University Collaborative | 2006 | Yes | #115 |
| Widener University | 1993 | Yes | #119 |
| Kutztown University | 2003 | Yes | #148 |
| Carlow University | 2017 | Yes | #160 |
| Pennsylvania Western University | 2000 | Yes | #190 |
| Slippery Rock University | 2020 | Yes | #204 |
| Alvernia University | 2019 | Yes | #235 |
| Lancaster Bible College | 2021 | Yes | #253 |
| Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania | 2021 | Yes | #270 |
| Eastern University | 2021 | No | #347 |
How much do social workers make in Philadelphia, PA in 2026?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania sits within the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 13,990 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is social workers, all other at a $80,660 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 | 4,190 | $65,990 | $50,820 – $92,450 |
| Mental health & substance abuse social workers | 2,140 | $54,510 | $40,350 – $81,210 |
| Child, family & school social workers | 6,850 | $55,930 | $41,980 – $88,870 |
| Social workers, all other | 810 | $80,660 | $48,550 – $121,950 |
| Social & community service managers (macro) | 5,320 | $80,810 | $58,420 – $127,770 |
How local pay compares
Child, family & school social workers around Philadelphia, PA earn a median of $55,930 versus $50,820 statewide in Pennsylvania and $67,310 nationally. That is at or above the Pennsylvania median.
Where do social workers work in Philadelphia, PA in 2026?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania sits in Philadelphia County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:
- Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS)
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)
- Penn Medicine and Jefferson Health
- School District of Philadelphia
- Community Behavioral Health (CBH)
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 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.
What kind of social work license do I need in Philadelphia, PA?
After an MSW from Philadelphia, PA or anywhere, these are the Pennsylvania social work licenses, per ASWB. A CSWE-accredited degree is required for each.
| License | Education | Supervised hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) | Bachelor of Social Work | — | Bachelors |
| Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) | Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work | 3000 hours | Clinical |
| Licensed Social Worker (LSW) | Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work | — | Masters |
Source: ASWB social work licensure database. Verify current requirements with the Pennsylvania state board before applying.
Social work and the safety net in Philadelphia
Philadelphia is one of the largest cities in the country and also one of the poorest among big cities, and that combination shapes the work here more than any single agency does. MSW students in Philadelphia spend their field placements at the seams of the safety net, in benefits offices, family shelters, food access programs, and neighborhood community centers where poverty is not an abstraction but a daily caseload.
What you learn is how systems fit together, or fail to. A single family may touch housing, child welfare, schools, and healthcare in the same week. That is why so many Philadelphia graduates lean toward program and community management roles or the macro and mezzo side of practice, coordinating services rather than working one client at a time.
Healthcare and hospital social work in Philadelphia
Philadelphia is a classic eds and meds city, anchored by large university hospital systems and academic medical centers that draw patients from across the region. For an MSW student, that means an unusually deep bench of healthcare placements, from emergency departments and oncology floors to outpatient behavioral health and pediatric care.
Hospital social work in a city this size moves fast. You handle discharge planning, connect uninsured patients to coverage, and sit with families through the hardest conversations. Many students find they enjoy the pace and the interdisciplinary teamwork, then build a long career as a healthcare social worker. If clinical practice pulls at you, the licensure path toward the LCSW is worth mapping early; our credentials guide walks through the Pennsylvania steps.
Overdose and harm-reduction social work in Philadelphia
Philadelphia has been at the center of the country's widely reported opioid and overdose crisis, and that reality is woven into social work education across the city. Students encounter substance use in nearly every setting, not just specialized treatment programs but hospitals, jails, schools, and family services. Learning to meet people where they are, without judgment, becomes a core professional skill rather than an elective one.
Field placements often expose students to harm-reduction philosophy in practice, alongside case management, recovery support, and relapse planning. This is demanding work, and it rewards clinicians who can hold both compassion and clear boundaries. Students drawn to this path frequently pursue clinical training toward the LCSW; you can read more about the therapy route on our page about becoming a therapist with an MSW.
Immigrant and multilingual social work in Philadelphia
Philadelphia is home to long-standing and newly arriving immigrant communities, and neighborhoods across the city carry different languages, faith traditions, and histories of migration. For MSW students, this is a living classroom in culturally responsive practice. You learn to work with interpreters, to understand how immigration status shapes what services a family will risk using, and to build trust across real differences.
Placements with community-based organizations, resettlement partners, and neighborhood clinics teach a kind of humility that no textbook can. Bilingual students are especially valued here, and the skill pays off across the whole career, from child and family practice to health navigation. Culturally grounded practice also sits close to the profession's social justice commitments.
Macro, policy, and nonprofit social work in Philadelphia
Philadelphia has a dense nonprofit and advocacy sector, and the city's scale means there is real room for macro social workers who want to shape policy, run programs, and organize communities rather than carry a clinical caseload. Graduates move into foundations, city government, and mission-driven organizations that qualify for public-service loan forgiveness, a genuine fit for social work salaries.
On cost, Philadelphia is more affordable than New York or Boston while still offering a big-city job market, which is part of its appeal to graduate students. Rent varies sharply by neighborhood, so factor location into your budget. Weigh the numbers against long-run earnings on our salary pages, and if you are comparing programs statewide, start with the Pennsylvania MSW rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CSWE-accredited MSW programs are in Philadelphia, PA?
How much do social workers earn in Philadelphia, PA?
Can I earn an MSW online from Philadelphia, PA?
What license do MSW graduates need in Pennsylvania?
MSW programs in other Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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.