Iowa · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs in Iowa
Where Can You Earn an MSW in Iowa, and How Do You Get Licensed?
6 schools in Iowa offer 7 MSW programs we verified, including Clarke University, Dordt University and Grand View University. 5 can be taken online and 6 offer advanced standing. Estimated tuition runs from $36,285 to $51,120 before fees. After the MSW, Iowa's clinical license is the Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW).
- Earn a CSWE-accredited MSW2 years full time, or about 1 with advanced standing
- Pass the ASWB exam (Masters)For the LMSW
- Log supervised clinical hoursSupervised clinical experience of at least two years, beginning after …
- Earn the clinical license (LISW)Independent clinical practice
- programs in Iowa
- 7
- schools
- 6
- CSWE-accredited schools
- 6
- offer advanced standing
- 6
- online programs
- 5
The Iowa Social Work License Path
Iowa Social Work Licenses
Iowa Board of Behavioral Health Professionals (formerly Iowa Board of Social Work), Department of Inspections, Appeals, and LicensingLicensed Bachelor Social Worker
- Degree
- Bachelor's degree in social work from a college or university accredited by CSWE at the time of graduation
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Master Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited college or university, or a doctoral degree in social work from a board-approved institution
- Exam
- ASWB Masters
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Independent Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited college or university, or a doctoral degree in social work from a board-approved institution
- Exam
- ASWB Clinical
- Supervised experience
- Supervised clinical experience of at least two years, beginning after graduate coursework, with at least 3,000 hours of total practice, 1,500 hours of direct client contact and 110 hours of direct supervision (maximum 50 in group), under an Iowa-licensed independent social worker, mental health counselor or marital and family therapist with at least three years of independent practice.
- Independent practice
- Yes
- Social Work Licensure Compact
- Listed by the Compact Commission among jurisdictions that have passed the compact language. The Commission states the compact has reached activation but multistate licenses are not yet being issued.
From Iowa Board of Behavioral Health Professionals (formerly Iowa Board of Social Work), Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing, reviewed 2026-09-30. Rules change; confirm with the board before you plan your supervised hours. Plan your own timeline with the license pathway planner.
Iowa Schools Compared
| School | Programs | Formats | CSWE | Advanced standing | Lowest est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Ambrose UniversityDavenport · Private nonprofit | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $45,000 |
| Clarke UniversityDubuque · Private nonprofit | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | $44,175 |
| Dordt UniversitySioux Center · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | $42,600 |
| Grand View UniversityDes Moines · Private nonprofit | 1 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $36,285 |
| University of IowaIowa City · Public | 1 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | |
| University of Northern IowaCedar Falls · Public | 1 | Hybrid, Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes |
From each school's own pages, reviewed September 2026. CSWE status from CSWE's directory. Estimated tuition is the published per-credit rate times the stated credits, before fees, or the school's published total.
Every MSW Program in Iowa
7 programs in Iowa
Master of Social Work (Iowa City, Des Moines, Sioux City and Online) at University of Iowa
University of Iowa · Iowa CityFormatOn campus, OnlineCredits–Est. tuition$667per credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (Full-Time, in Person) at St. Ambrose University
St. Ambrose University · DavenportFormatOn campus900 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$45,000$750/creditAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (Part-Time, Online) at St. Ambrose University
St. Ambrose University · DavenportFormatOnline900 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$51,120$852/creditAccreditationCSWE- FormatHybrid, On campus, Online500 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$603per credit · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnline900 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$42,600$710/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus900 field hoursCredits57Est. tuition$44,175$775/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus, OnlineCredits59Est. tuition$36,285$615/creditAccreditationCSWE
No programs match these filters.
Program facts come from each school's own pages, reviewed September 2026. Estimated tuition is the published per-credit rate times the stated credits, before fees, or the school's published program total; "resident rate" means the school charges nonresidents more. CSWE status comes from CSWE's directory of accredited programs.
What an MSW Costs in Iowa
5 Iowa programs publish enough to estimate tuition before fees, from $36,285 at Grand View University to $51,120 at St. Ambrose University. The Iowa median is $44,175, against $40,180 nationally.
| Program | Credits | Est. tuition | With advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand View University: Social Work (M.S.W.)Social Work (M.S.W.) | 59 | $36,285 | |
| Dordt University: Master of Social Work (online)Master of Social Work (online) | 60 | $42,600 | $25,560 |
| Clarke University: Master of Social WorkMaster of Social Work | 57 | $44,175 | $23,250 |
| St. Ambrose University: Master of Social Work (full-time, in person)Master of Social Work (full-time, in person) | 60 | $45,000 | $27,000 |
| St. Ambrose University: Master of Social Work (part-time, online)Master of Social Work (part-time, online) | 60 | $51,120 |
Public universities' figures are usually the in-state rate. Turn any program into a full cost and loan estimate with the MSW cost and loan calculator.
Largest MSW Programs in Iowa
By MSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), University of Iowa has Iowa's largest program, followed by St. Ambrose University and University of Northern Iowa. Size tells you how many classmates, alumni and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
| School | MSWs awarded, 2022-23 |
|---|---|
| University of Iowa | 138 |
| St. Ambrose University | 39 |
| University of Northern Iowa | 32 |
| Dordt University | 22 |
| Clarke University | 16 |
| Grand View University | 1 |
Online MSW Options for Iowa Residents
You aren't limited to schools in Iowa: 256 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Iowa residents online and arrange your field placement in Iowa.
| Lowest-cost CSWE-accredited online programs elsewhere | Est. tuition |
|---|---|
| Florida Atlantic University: Master of Social Work - 100% Online Advanced StandingMaster of Social Work - 100% Online Advanced Standing · Florida | $11,155 |
| Appalachian State University: Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing (App State Online)Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing (App State Online) · North Carolina | $11,359 |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro: Maestría en Trabajo Social (MSW), Especialidad en Trabajo Social Clínico - Online / PresencialMaestría en Trabajo Social (MSW), Especialidad en Trabajo Social Clínico - Online / Presencial · Puerto Rico | $12,939 |
| University of North Alabama: Master of Social Work (online)Master of Social Work (online) · Alabama | $14,850 |
| University of Arkansas: Online Advanced Standing Master of Social WorkOnline Advanced Standing Master of Social Work · Arkansas | $15,151 |
| East Carolina University: Master of Social Work, part-time online (Regular Pathway and Advanced Standing)Master of Social Work, part-time online (Regular Pathway and Advanced Standing) · North Carolina | $16,624 |
Compare every option on the online MSW programs page, or let the program matcher rank them for you.
Social Worker Pay in Iowa
| Occupation | Iowa median | U.S. median | Jobs in Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $52,250 | $59,550 | 3,410 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $63,050 | $67,880 | 1,550 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $48,530 | $60,280 | 1,200 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $91,170 | $71,900 | 230 |
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. A high median on few jobs describes a small market. What you can do with an MSW.
MSW Programs Near Iowa Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many MSW Programs Are in Iowa?
We verified 7 MSW programs at 6 schools in Iowa; 6 of those schools are listed as accredited in CSWE's directory.
What Social Work Licenses Does Iowa Issue?
Iowa's board (Iowa Board of Behavioral Health Professionals (formerly Iowa Board of Social Work), Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing) issues LBSW, LMSW and LISW. Clinical practice requires the Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW), after Supervised clinical experience of at least two years, beginning after graduate coursework, with at least 3,000 hours of total practice, 1,500 hours of direct client contact and 110 hours of direct supervision (maximum 50 in group), under an Iowa-licensed independent social worker, mental health counselor or marital and family therapist with at least three years of independent practice.
Can Iowa Residents Earn an MSW Online?
Yes. Beyond Iowa's own programs, 256 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide; confirm each school can enroll Iowa residents and place you in a field practicum in Iowa. Online MSW programs.
How Much Does an MSW Cost in Iowa?
Estimated tuition for Iowa programs that publish a rate and their credits runs from $36,285 to $51,120 before fees. Public universities usually charge nonresidents more, and advanced standing cuts the total for BSW graduates.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 6 Iowa schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- Iowa Board of Behavioral Health Professionals (formerly Iowa Board of Social Work), Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), directory of accredited programs
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions 2022-23
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025