Top 25 Online MSW Programs

Introduction

Online MSW programs provide students with greater flexibility and often appeal to working students and students with children. They are also well suited for individuals who thrive in self-directed learning environments where they primarily work alone and engage solely with other students and faculty through online platforms. If this sounds like a learning format in which you thrive, an online program might be a good option.

Featured Programs:

University of Kentucky offers its Online Master of Social Work: Advanced Standing Program available. MSW program includes options for an advanced-standing program (30 credits) and a 60-credit regular standing program. Visit School's Website
Arizona State University - Online offers the respected CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work online. ASU Online knows today’s MSW students need remote learning options with no compromises. That’s why you’ll find the same professors, field work requirements, and internship placement assistance that ASU provides on campus. Visit School's Website
Grand Canyon University offers Online Social Work Degrees. Choose between Bachelors of Social Work, Master of Social Work, Master of Social Work (Advanced Standing). Visit School's Website

Unlike many other graduate programs, however, almost all online MSW programs have a hands-on component. Field education, totaling 900 hours for traditional programs (1), is usually done in person within agencies in your local community. Online MSW programs generally help you find these field placements and sometimes already have a list of possible organizations within your area.

Top 25 Online MSW Programs

Once you have decided that an online MSW program is the best option for you, there are multiple factors to consider to ensure you receive an excellent educational experience that will prepare you for your social work career without bankrupting you in the process. Important university characteristics to review include the school’s accreditation status, cost of tuition, ranking by objective experts, and whether it offers an advanced standing program. Our ranking of the top 25 Best Online MSW Programs is based on these criteria:

How is this MSW program ranked by objective experts? U.S. News and World Report regularly ranks collegiate programs so potential students can easily identify the best of the best. The ranking below only includes universities in the top 70 best social work schools for 2024.
How long has this MSW Program been accredited? The longer a program has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the longer they’ve demonstrated that their faculty are experts in social work, that their program follows the highest levels of ethics and maintains a consistent program of academic rigor. All programs in our ranking have been accredited for more than 15 years.
Does this top-ranked MSW program offer advanced standing? It would not make sense for people who have already earned their Bachelor in Social Work (BSW) degree to retake generalist level coursework to earn their MSW degree. Regardless of whether you’re personally eligible, having an advanced standing Master’s in Social Work program demonstrates the school of social work is focused on fostering students’ professional growth, not filling classrooms. Our top 25 online MSW programs all have advanced standing programs.
How much is tuition? In the current state of our economy, tuition cost is key. To be burdened after graduation with large student loans can be particularly difficult for social workers, considering their national median salary is $58,380 (2). For this reason, we have only included online MSW programs with tuition costs less than $55,000 in our ranking. Tuition amounts listed below for each online program pertain to students attending a traditional, full-time MSW program (unless the program only offers part-time enrollment). If you enroll in the advanced standing program, you can expect that your tuition would be about half the cost of the traditional program. As you will see, tuition can more than double in price if you are not a state resident. Residency requirements in most states require that you have lived in the state for one full year before enrollment. Costs below do not include fees, can change yearly, and websites often provide estimates, so it is always good to contact the university directly to get the most updated information.

Our ranking of the top 25 online MSW programs was developed by scoring each school based on its 2024 ranking by the U.S. News and World Report, how long they have held accreditation, and its cost of tuition. We also only included schools with an advanced standing program. The tuition price and ranking by the U.S. News and World Report were weighted more than the accreditation time. For the schools that achieved the same score, we ranked universities higher if they offered specializations, certificates, dual degree programs, or unique initiatives geared toward student success. The universities at the top of our list have been named as some of the best social work schools in the nation while also being affordable and having well-established social work programs.

Ohio State University

Columbus, OH
1-2 years
Online + Campus

Location: Columbus, OH

Modality Options: Online, On-campus

Accreditation Year: 2001

US News and World Report ranking: 12

Credits required:

Traditional Program: 63
Advanced Standing: 43

Program Length:

Traditional Program: 2 years
Advanced Standing: 1 year

Tuition Total:

$27,180 (Resident-includes most fees)
$27,980 (Non-resident-includes most fees)

Program Overview:
Ohio State University’s online MSW program is at the top of our list for its level of flexibility, areas of focus, and dual degree programs, all while being affordable and ranked number 12 in the nation for best social work schools. At Ohio State University, you can choose between asynchronous and/or synchronous courses and select from various areas of interest such as aging and health, mental health and substance misuse, child and youth services, and community and social justice. They also offer several dual degree programs, including combining your MSW with a Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Public Health (MPH), and/or Master of City and Regional Planning (MCRP).