Utah · MSW programs by city
Best MSW Programs near Salt Lake City, UT (2026)
Published · Last updated
Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS
Salt Lake City, Utah (population 209,593) has 1 CSWE-accredited MSW program based in the city , with 4 more accredited programs within about 60 miles. 1 Utah programs also offer an online option. Every program below is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the requirement for Utah licensure.
Best MSW programs in Salt Lake City, UT
Accredited programs with a campus in Salt Lake City, UT, 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 Salt Lake City, UT National #5 Online #5
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT, UT · CSWE-accredited since 1940 · Online or On-Campus
9.7
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing Online option Carnegie R1Why it ranks here
University of Utah has held CSWE accreditation since 1940, 86 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Salt Lake City, UT; St. George, UT; Richfield, UT; and more). 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 3 dual-degree options and 2 embedded certificates. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R1 classification for very high research activity.
Concentrations
Advanced Generalist
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 10.0
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 9.3
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 10.0
- Delivery format (18%) 9.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
Best MSW programs near Salt Lake City, UT
Accredited programs whose nearest campus is within about 60 miles of Salt Lake City, UT, ranked by our five-factor model. Each card shows the campus city and straight-line distance from the city center.
- #1 Kaysville · ~17 mi
Utah State University
Logan, UT, UT · CSWE-accredited since 2008 · On-Campus
6.5
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing On-campus Carnegie R1Why it ranks here
Utah State University has held CSWE accreditation since 2008, 18 years of standing as of 2026. The program is offered on 8 approved campuses (Logan, UT; Brigham City, UT; Kaysville, UT; and more). 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 R1 classification for very high research activity.
Concentrations
Advanced Generalist
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 4.2
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 4.7
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 10.0
- Delivery format (18%) 7.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #2 Provo · ~40 mi
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT, UT · CSWE-accredited since 1981 · On-Campus
5.9
2 concentrations No Advanced Standing On-campusWhy it ranks here
Brigham Young University has held CSWE accreditation since 1981, 45 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Provo, UT). It records 2 concentrations (Clinical or Direct Practice; Research). The program runs on a full-time plan of study. The program also offers 2 embedded certificates.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice, Research
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 7.4
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 6.0
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 4.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 6.0
- #3 Orem · ~35 mi
Utah Valley University
Orem, UT, UT · CSWE-accredited since 2017 · On-Campus
4.3
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing On-campusWhy it ranks here
Utah Valley University has held CSWE accreditation since 2017, 9 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Orem, UT). 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%) 3.1
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 4.7
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 4.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 6.0
- #4 Ogden · ~31 mi
Weber State University
Ogden, UT, UT · CSWE-accredited since 2021 · On-Campus
4.2
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing On-campusWhy it ranks here
Weber State University has held CSWE accreditation since 2021, 5 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Ogden, UT). It records 1 concentration (Clinical or Direct Practice). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 2.6
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 4.7
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 4.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 6.0
Online MSW programs available in Salt Lake City, UT
Utah-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Salt Lake City, UT residents can complete from home. See the full online MSW ranking for national options.
| Institution | Accredited | Adv. Standing | Natl. |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Utah | 1940 | Yes | #5 |
How much do social workers make in Salt Lake City, UT in 2026?
Salt Lake City, Utah sits within the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 2,610 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is healthcare social workers at a $81,110 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 | 940 | $81,110 | $50,790 – $110,020 |
| Mental health & substance abuse social workers | 440 | — | — |
| Child, family & school social workers | 870 | $56,860 | $40,650 – $105,100 |
| Social workers, all other | 360 | $66,930 | $51,090 – $117,980 |
| Social & community service managers (macro) | 1,220 | $87,360 | $55,680 – $129,600 |
How local pay compares
Healthcare social workers around Salt Lake City, UT earn a median of $81,110 versus $78,150 statewide in Utah and $69,060 nationally. That is at or above the Utah median.
Where do social workers work in Salt Lake City, UT in 2026?
Salt Lake City, Utah sits in Salt Lake County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:
- Salt Lake County Behavioral Health Services
- University of Utah Health (Huntsman Mental Health Institute) and Intermountain Health
- Salt Lake City School District
- Volunteers of America Utah
- Utah Department of Health and 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 Salt Lake City-Murray, UT; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.
What kind of social work license do I need in Salt Lake City, UT?
After an MSW from Salt Lake City, UT or anywhere, these are the Utah social work licenses, per ASWB. A CSWE-accredited degree is required for each.
| License | Education | Supervised hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Social Worker (CSW) | |||
| Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) | |||
| Social Service Worker 1 (SSW1) | Bachelor of Social Work or Master of Social Work | — | Exam Not Required; Masters exam is optional |
| Social Service Worker 2 (SSW2) | 2000 hours | Exam Not Required; Bachelors exam is optional |
Source: ASWB social work licensure database. Verify current requirements with the Utah state board before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CSWE-accredited MSW programs are in Salt Lake City, UT?
How much do social workers earn in Salt Lake City, UT?
Can I earn an MSW online from Salt Lake City, UT?
What license do MSW graduates need in Utah?
MSW programs in other Utah 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 Utah 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.