Wisconsin · MSW programs by city
Best MSW Programs near Kenosha, WI (2026)
Last updated
Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS
Kenosha, Wisconsin (population 98,211) has no MSW campus within city limits , with 2 more accredited programs within about 60 miles. 5 Wisconsin programs also offer an online option. Every program below is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the requirement for Wisconsin licensure.
Best MSW programs in Kenosha, WI
No CSWE-accredited MSW program currently lists a campus inside Kenosha, WI. See the nearby and online options below.
Best MSW programs near Kenosha, WI
Accredited programs whose nearest campus is within about 60 miles of Kenosha, WI, ranked by our five-factor model. Each card shows the campus city and straight-line distance from the city center.
- #1 Milwaukee · ~33 mi National #12 Online #12
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI, WI · CSWE-accredited since 1963 · Online or On-Campus
9.4
2 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online option Carnegie R1Why it ranks here
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has held CSWE accreditation since 1963, 63 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Milwaukee, WI). It records 2 concentrations (Advanced Generalist; School 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 and 2 embedded certificates. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R1 classification for very high research activity.
Concentrations
Advanced Generalist, School Social Work
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 9.6
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 9.5
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 10.0
- Delivery format (18%) 8.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #2 Whitewater · ~47 mi
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Whitewater, WI, WI · CSWE-accredited since 2018 · Online or On-Campus
5.3
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has held CSWE accreditation since 2018, 8 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Whitewater, WI). 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. The program also offers 3 embedded certificates.
Concentrations
Advanced Generalist
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 3.0
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 7.1
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 7.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 6.0
Online MSW programs available in Kenosha, WI
Wisconsin-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Kenosha, WI residents can complete from home. See the full online MSW ranking for national options.
| Institution | Accredited | Adv. Standing | Natl. |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | 1963 | Yes | #12 |
| University of Wisconsin-Green Bay | 2003 | Yes | #167 |
| Concordia University Wisconsin | 2017 | Yes | #247 |
| University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | 2018 | Yes | #272 |
| Herzing University | 2022 | Yes | #316 |
How much do social workers make in Kenosha, WI in 2026?
Kenosha, Wisconsin sits within the Kenosha, WI metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 300 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is social workers, all other at a $65,740 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 | 70 | $61,550 | $44,570 – $80,920 |
| Child, family & school social workers | 160 | $55,590 | $44,360 – $74,720 |
| Social workers, all other | 70 | $65,740 | $54,720 – $82,600 |
| Social & community service managers (macro) | 60 | $84,500 | $61,640 – $120,190 |
How local pay compares
Child, family & school social workers around Kenosha, WI earn a median of $55,590 versus $59,280 statewide in Wisconsin and $67,310 nationally. That is below the Wisconsin median.
Where do social workers work in Kenosha, WI in 2026?
Kenosha, Wisconsin sits in Kenosha County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:
- Kenosha County Division of Health and Human Services
- Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital and Aurora Medical Center Kenosha
- Kenosha Unified School District
- Professional Services Group
- Kenosha Human Development 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 Kenosha, WI; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.
What kind of social work license do I need in Kenosha, WI?
After an MSW from Kenosha, WI or anywhere, these are the Wisconsin social work licenses, per ASWB. A CSWE-accredited degree is required for each.
| License | Education | Supervised hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Practice Social Worker (APSW) | Master of Social Work or Doctorate of Social Work | — | Masters |
| Certified Independent Social Worker (CISW) | Master of Social Work | 3000 hours | Advanced Generalist |
| Certified Social Worker (CSW) | Bachelor of Social Work or Master of Social Work | — | Bachelors |
| Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) | Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work | 3000 hours | Clinical |
| Social Work Training Certificate (SWTC) | Human services internship or one year of social work employment | Bachelors |
Source: ASWB social work licensure database. Verify current requirements with the Wisconsin state board before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CSWE-accredited MSW programs are in Kenosha, WI?
How much do social workers earn in Kenosha, WI?
Can I earn an MSW online from Kenosha, WI?
What license do MSW graduates need in Wisconsin?
MSW programs in other Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin license requirements.
Last updated 2026-06-12. "Near" means a program campus within 60 straight-line miles of the city center.