Texas · MSW programs by city
Best MSW Programs near Austin, TX (2026)
Published · Last updated
Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS in Psychology
Austin, Texas (population 979,882) has 1 CSWE-accredited MSW program based in the city , with 1 more accredited program within about 60 miles. 15 Texas programs also offer an online option. Every program below is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the requirement for Texas licensure.
Best MSW programs in Austin, TX
Accredited programs with a campus in Austin, TX, 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 Austin, TX
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX, TX · CSWE-accredited since 1952 · On-Campus
8.0
3 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing On-campusWhy it ranks here
University of Texas at Austin has held CSWE accreditation since 1952, 74 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Austin, TX). It records 3 concentrations (Clinical or Direct Practice; Management or Administration; Social Policy). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 6 dual-degree options and 6 embedded certificates.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice, Management or Administration, Social Policy
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
Best MSW programs near Austin, TX
Accredited programs whose nearest campus is within about 60 miles of Austin, TX, ranked by our five-factor model. Each card shows the campus city and straight-line distance from the city center.
- #1 San Marcos · ~31 mi
Texas State University
San Marcos, TX, TX · CSWE-accredited since 1997 · Online or On-Campus
6.5
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing Online option Carnegie R2Why it ranks here
Texas State University has held CSWE accreditation since 1997, 29 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (San Marcos, TX). It records 1 concentration (Advanced Generalist). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Concentrations
Advanced Generalist
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 5.5
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 4.7
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 7.5
- Delivery format (18%) 7.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
Online MSW programs available in Austin, TX
Texas-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Austin, TX residents can complete from home. See the full online MSW ranking for national options.
| Institution | Accredited | Adv. Standing | Natl. |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Texas at Arlington | 1970 | Yes | #20 |
| University of Houston | 1970 | Yes | #51 |
| Our Lady of the Lake University | 1945 | Yes | #82 |
| University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley | 2002 | Yes | #108 |
| Baylor University | 2001 | Yes | #117 |
| Abilene Christian University | 2007 | Yes | #141 |
| Texas State University | 1997 | Yes | #146 |
| Stephen F. Austin State University | 1998 | Yes | #155 |
| East Texas A&M University | 2001 | Yes | #198 |
| Angelo State University | 2019 | Yes | #223 |
| University of Texas at El Paso | 2010 | Yes | #237 |
| Texas Tech University | 2015 | Yes | #263 |
| Texas Woman's University | 2017 | Yes | #274 |
| Prairie View A&M University | 2021 | Yes | #280 |
| West Texas A&M University | 2010 | Yes | #297 |
How much do social workers make in Austin, TX in 2026?
Austin, Texas sits within the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 3,790 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is healthcare social workers at a $76,020 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 | 1,010 | $76,020 | $39,150 – $100,050 |
| Mental health & substance abuse social workers | 860 | $47,740 | $37,730 – $77,630 |
| Child, family & school social workers | 1,670 | $58,640 | $45,790 – $77,420 |
| Social workers, all other | 250 | $61,690 | $43,850 – $128,940 |
| Social & community service managers (macro) | 1,580 | $80,030 | $54,990 – $127,840 |
How local pay compares
Child, family & school social workers around Austin, TX earn a median of $58,640 versus $55,680 statewide in Texas and $67,310 nationally. That is at or above the Texas median.
Where do social workers work in Austin, TX in 2026?
Austin, Texas sits in Travis County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:
- Integral Care, Travis County’s mental-health authority
- Dell Children’s Medical Center and Ascension Seton
- Travis County Health and Human Services
- Austin Independent School District
- SAFE Alliance
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 Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.
What kind of social work license do I need in Austin, TX?
After an MSW from Austin, TX or anywhere, these are the Texas social work licenses, per ASWB. A CSWE-accredited degree is required for each.
| License | Education | Supervised hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW) | Bachelor of Social Work | 3000 hours | Bachelors |
| Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) | Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work | 3000 hours | Clinical |
| Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) | Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work | 3000 hours | Masters |
| Licensed Master Social Worker-Advanced Practice (LMSW-AP) | Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work | — | Advanced Generalist |
Source: ASWB social work licensure database. Verify current requirements with the Texas state board before applying.
Macro and policy social work careers in Austin
Austin is the seat of Texas state government, and that changes the kind of social work careers available here. Beyond direct service, the capital draws professionals into policy analysis, legislative advocacy, program evaluation, and the state agencies that shape services for millions of Texans. For MSW graduates who want to change systems rather than treat one client at a time, few Texas cities offer more.
If that pull toward the big picture describes you, it helps to understand where policy work sits relative to clinical practice. Our explainer on the difference between macro and mezzo social work maps the terrain, and our guide to the social and community service manager career shows one common leadership destination.
Homelessness and housing social work in Austin
Austin's tech-driven boom has reshaped the city fast, and rising housing costs have pushed homelessness and displacement to the front of the local agenda. Social workers are central to the response, working in street outreach, permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing, and the coordinated systems that try to keep families from falling through the cracks.
This is demanding, deeply human work that rewards persistence and a systems mindset in equal measure. Graduates who want to be part of the solution will find real opportunity here. To see the range of roles, browse our overview of social work career paths, and keep Texas licensure in view by reviewing the LMSW and LCSW steps on our credentials page.
Young adult and student mental health social work in Austin
Austin is a major university town with a large, young population, and that demographic drives real demand for mental health services tailored to students and young adults. Anxiety, depression, substance use, and the pressures of launching into adulthood all show up in counseling centers, clinics, and community agencies across the city.
Social workers who enjoy this age group can build meaningful careers helping people through a formative stretch of life, and many pursue independent clinical practice to do therapy directly. If that draws you, read our guide to the clinical social worker career, and if you are wondering whether the degree lets you practice as a therapist, our post on whether you can be a therapist with an MSW answers the common questions.
Nonprofit and advocacy social work careers in Austin
Austin's civic culture supports a lively nonprofit and advocacy community, from grassroots organizations to established agencies working on housing, food security, immigration, and reproductive and mental health. For social workers, this ecosystem offers a chance to blend direct service with organizing, program design, and coalition-building.
The energy here rewards people who care about causes and know how to move them forward. If mission-driven, equity-focused work is your aim, our overview of MSW programs with a social justice focus is a natural fit. As you plan, compare how nonprofit and management roles pay across settings on our social work salary pages so your idealism and your budget can travel together.
What is the cost of living like for MSW students in Austin?
Austin's popularity has a price, and for graduate students that price shows up most in rent. Housing near campus and central neighborhoods has climbed sharply during the city's growth, so many MSW candidates weigh a longer commute against the convenience of living close to class and placements.
Two things help. Social work placements skew heavily toward government and nonprofit employers, which often qualify for public-service loan forgiveness, a genuine fit for the field. Many programs also offer part-time tracks that let you keep working while you study. Weigh both against long-run earnings on our social work salary pages, and if you are still comparing Texas cities, our best MSW programs in Texas ranking can guide the decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CSWE-accredited MSW programs are in Austin, TX?
How much do social workers earn in Austin, TX?
Can I earn an MSW online from Austin, TX?
What license do MSW graduates need in Texas?
MSW programs in other Texas 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 Texas 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.