Washington · MSW programs by city
Best MSW Programs near Vancouver, WA (2026)
Last updated
Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS
Vancouver, Washington (population 196,442) has no MSW campus within city limits . 2 Washington programs also offer an online option. Every program below is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the requirement for Washington licensure.
Best MSW programs in Vancouver, WA
No CSWE-accredited MSW program currently lists a campus inside Vancouver, WA. See the nearby and online options below.
Online MSW programs available in Vancouver, WA
Washington-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Vancouver, WA residents can complete from home. See the full online MSW ranking for national options.
| Institution | Accredited | Adv. Standing | Natl. |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Washington | 1934 | Yes | #2 |
| Walla Walla University | 1989 | Yes | #145 |
How much do social workers make in Vancouver, WA in 2026?
Vancouver, Washington sits within the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 8,770 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is healthcare social workers at a $85,790 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 | 1,460 | $85,790 | $61,580 – $115,420 |
| Mental health & substance abuse social workers | 1,170 | $73,740 | $49,990 – $99,030 |
| Child, family & school social workers | 4,330 | $66,910 | $48,670 – $89,220 |
| Social workers, all other | 1,810 | $67,820 | $50,820 – $98,010 |
| Social & community service managers (macro) | 1,810 | $85,600 | $64,630 – $136,800 |
How local pay compares
Child, family & school social workers around Vancouver, WA earn a median of $66,910 versus $74,480 statewide in Washington and $67,310 nationally. That is below the Washington median.
Where do social workers work in Vancouver, WA in 2026?
Vancouver, Washington sits in Clark County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:
- Clark County Community Services
- PeaceHealth Southwest Washington Medical Center and Legacy Salmon Creek
- Vancouver Public Schools
- Sea Mar Community Health Centers
- Lifeline Connections
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 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.
What kind of social work license do I need in Vancouver, WA?
After an MSW from Vancouver, WA or anywhere, these are the Washington social work licenses, per ASWB. A CSWE-accredited degree is required for each.
| License | Education | Supervised hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Advanced Social Worker (LASW) | Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work | 3200 hours | Advanced Generalist or Clinical |
| Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) | Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work | 3000 hours | Clinical |
| Licensed Social Worker Associate Advanced (LSWAA) | Master of Social Work or Doctorate of Social Work | — | Exam Not Required |
| Licensed Social Worker Associate Independent Clinical (LSWAIC) | Master of Social Work or Doctorate of Social Work | — | Exam Not Required |
Source: ASWB social work licensure database. Verify current requirements with the Washington state board before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CSWE-accredited MSW programs are in Vancouver, WA?
How much do social workers earn in Vancouver, WA?
Can I earn an MSW online from Vancouver, WA?
What license do MSW graduates need in Washington?
MSW programs in other Washington 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 Washington license requirements.
Last updated 2026-06-12. "Near" means a program campus within 60 straight-line miles of the city center.