Wisconsin · MSW programs by city

Best MSW Programs near Milwaukee, WI (2026)

Last updated June 12, 2026

Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS

Milwaukee, Wisconsin (population 561,385) has 1 CSWE-accredited MSW program based in the city , with 1 more accredited program 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 Milwaukee, WI

Accredited programs with a campus in Milwaukee, WI, 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 Milwaukee, WI 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 R1
Why 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

Program website CSWE directory
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

Best MSW programs near Milwaukee, WI

Accredited programs whose nearest campus is within about 60 miles of Milwaukee, WI, ranked by our five-factor model. Each card shows the campus city and straight-line distance from the city center.

#1 Whitewater · ~42 mi

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Whitewater, WI, WI · CSWE-accredited since 2018 · Online or On-Campus

5.3

1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing Online option
Why 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

Program website CSWE directory
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 Milwaukee, WI

Wisconsin-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Milwaukee, 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 Milwaukee, WI in 2026?

Milwaukee, Wisconsin sits within the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 3,880 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is healthcare social workers at a $69,180 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	1,230	$69,180	$50,500 – $90,530
Mental health & substance abuse social workers	600	$62,770	$46,540 – $96,860
Child, family & school social workers	1,530	$59,180	$44,590 – $94,610
Social workers, all other	520	$63,040	$47,860 – $101,940
Social & community service managers (macro)	860	$82,290	$62,390 – $112,980

How local pay compares

Child, family & school social workers around Milwaukee, WI earn a median of $59,180 versus $59,280 statewide in Wisconsin and $67,310 nationally. That is below the Wisconsin median.

Where do social workers work in Milwaukee, WI in 2026?

Milwaukee, Wisconsin sits in Milwaukee County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:

Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Services
Children’s Wisconsin, Froedtert Health, and Advocate Aurora Health
Milwaukee Public Schools
Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services
Wraparound Milwaukee

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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.

What kind of social work license do I need in Milwaukee, WI?

After an MSW from Milwaukee, 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 Milwaukee, WI?

Milwaukee, Wisconsin has 1 CSWE-accredited MSW program with a campus in the city, plus 1 more within about 60 miles. All are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the prerequisite for social work licensure in Wisconsin.

How much do social workers earn in Milwaukee, WI?

Social work wages in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area vary by specialty. Healthcare social workers are the best paid at a $69,180 annual median, while mental health and substance abuse social workers earn about $62,770. See the full wage table above. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

Can I earn an MSW online from Milwaukee, WI?

Yes. 5 CSWE-accredited Wisconsin MSW programs offer an online option you can complete from Milwaukee, WI, and additional out-of-state online programs are available nationally. Online CSWE-accredited degrees carry the same accreditation and licensure eligibility as on-campus programs.

What license do MSW graduates need in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin issues the APSW and CISW and CSW and LCSW and SWTC. The LCSW requires a CSWE-accredited MSW, supervised post-degree hours, and the ASWB Clinical exam. See the licensure summary above and our credentials guide.

MSW programs in other Wisconsin cities

Madison, WI 1 in · 1 near Green Bay, WI 1 in · 1 near Kenosha, WI 0 in · 2 near Racine, WI 0 in · 2 near

See all 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.