Texas · MSW programs by city
Best MSW Programs near Waco, TX (2026)
Published · Last updated
Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS in Psychology
Waco, Texas (population 144,816) has 2 CSWE-accredited MSW programs based in the city . 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 Waco, TX
Accredited programs with a campus in Waco, 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 Waco, TX
Baylor University
Waco, TX, TX · CSWE-accredited since 2001 · Online or On-Campus
6.8
2 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
Baylor University has held CSWE accreditation since 2001, 25 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Waco, TX). 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 2 dual-degree options and 1 embedded certificate.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice, Community Development and Social Systems
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 5.0
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 8.7
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 7.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #2 In Waco, TX
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX, TX · CSWE-accredited since 2016 · On-Campus
5.8
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing On-campus Carnegie R2Why it ranks here
Tarleton State University has held CSWE accreditation since 2016, 10 years of standing as of 2026. The program is offered on 3 approved campuses (Stephenville, TX; Waco, TX; Ft. Worth, TX). It records 1 concentration (Integrated Practice). 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
Integrated Practice
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 3.2
- 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 Waco, TX
Texas-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Waco, 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 Waco, TX in 2026?
Waco, Texas sits within the Waco, TX metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 620 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is social workers, all other at a $105,830 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 | 120 | $68,960 | $48,570 – $84,610 |
| Mental health & substance abuse social workers | 180 | $42,140 | $35,670 – $64,660 |
| Child, family & school social workers | 270 | $53,670 | $44,060 – $72,110 |
| Social workers, all other | 50 | $105,830 | $46,150 – $125,670 |
| Social & community service managers (macro) | 160 | $70,460 | $47,640 – $104,430 |
How local pay compares
Child, family & school social workers around Waco, TX earn a median of $53,670 versus $55,680 statewide in Texas and $67,310 nationally. That is below the Texas median.
Where do social workers work in Waco, TX in 2026?
Waco, Texas sits in McLennan County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:
- Heart of Texas Region MHMR Center
- Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest and Ascension Providence Waco
- Waco Independent School District
- Methodist Children’s Home
- Baylor University
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 Waco, TX; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.
What kind of social work license do I need in Waco, TX?
After an MSW from Waco, 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.
Faith-based MSW programs in Waco
Waco is home to a large faith-based university, and that presence gives the city a distinctive character. Human services here often carry a values-driven spirit, with agencies and programs that speak openly about service, dignity, and calling alongside professional practice.
For students who want their education to reflect those commitments, fit is worth weighing carefully. Our guide to the best faith-based MSW programs can help you compare how schools blend belief with the rigorous, ethical training every social worker needs before entering the field.
Child and family welfare social work in Waco
Child and family welfare is one of the steadiest sources of social work demand in Waco. State agencies, courts, and a network of nonprofits all depend on trained professionals to protect children and strengthen the families around them.
The work spans prevention and crisis alike, from early family support to reunification after a removal. Child and family social workers in Waco build careers on patience and follow-through, walking with families through some of the hardest chapters of their lives toward something more stable.
Social work across Waco's income spectrum
Waco holds real economic contrast. Prosperous neighborhoods and a growing university and tourism economy sit alongside households working hard to make ends meet, and social workers serve people across that whole spectrum.
That range sharpens judgment. A clinician learns that need takes many forms and that dignity does not depend on a paycheck. Whether the work is healthcare social work in a hospital or case management in a community program, the goal stays the same: meeting each family where they actually are.
Why bilingual social workers are in demand in Waco
A significant share of families in and around Waco speak Spanish at home, and that shapes what local agencies look for when they hire. Bilingual social workers can build trust directly, without an interpreter standing between them and a family in crisis.
For students, language is a genuine career asset. The ability to serve Spanish-speaking clients well opens doors across healthcare, schools, and child welfare, and it deepens the cultural understanding that makes any social work career more effective and more humane.
Is Waco an affordable place to earn an MSW?
Cost matters when you are choosing where to study, and Central Texas cities like Waco often carry a lower cost of living than the state's largest metros. For MSW students watching a budget, that can make the years of study and supervised hours more manageable.
Affordability is only one piece of the decision, but it is a real one. Weigh it alongside program quality and outcomes using our list of the best MSW programs in Texas, so the school you choose fits both your goals and your finances.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CSWE-accredited MSW programs are in Waco, TX?
How much do social workers earn in Waco, TX?
Can I earn an MSW online from Waco, 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.