Best MSW Programs in Oregon Ranked For 2024

Looking to start or advance your career in a state lauded for its natural beauty and outdoor activities? Then you should check out these rankings of the best MSW programs in Oregon!

While there aren’t a lot of options to choose from, finding the right one can still seem like a daunting challenge. That’s why we collected data on every Master in Social Work degree program in the state to help you figure out which one may be right for you.

In this article, we provide all the key information you need to know about each school, including degree pathways, admission requirements, tuition, and more.

So, keep reading to discover the top MSW programs in Oregon and learn if one of them may be a good fit.

Table of Contents

• What Is The Best MSW Program in Oregon?
• 3 Best MSW Programs in Oregon Ranked
• Is An MSW Program In Oregon Right For You?
• Oregon MSW Programs FAQs

What Is The Best MSW Program in Oregon?

Pacific University offers the best MSW program in Oregon based on our ranking criteria. While only two graduates took the ASWB Master’s Exam in 2022, both of them passed, giving this school a 100% pass rate.

Additionally, this university boasts an impressive 80% pass rate on the Clinical Exam, with 16 out of 20 graduates passing the test.

However, just because Pacific University topped our rankings doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the perfect fit for you. 

For example, while graduates from Pacific had the best exam pass rates, Portland State University offers a much greater range of degree pathways, concentrations, and specializations. So, the best choice for you will depend on your own personal goals and circumstances.

Fortunately, we provide key background information for each school in the next section.

3 Best MSW Programs in Oregon Ranked

To rank the best MSW programs in Oregon, we used official exam pass rate data from the Association of Social Work Boards. This allowed us to rank each school using an objective metric.

Since you’ll need to pass the Master’s Exam in order to become a Licensed Master of Social Work, these pass rates are a good measure of how well each school prepares you for social work practice.

The table below ranks every MSW program from the highest ASWB Master’s Exam pass rate to the lowest. To learn more about the top MSW programs in Oregon, keep reading after the table.

School	Masters Exam Pass Rate	Clinical Exam Pass Rate
1. Pacific University	100.0%	80.0%
2. Portland State University	90.9%	76.3%
3. George Fox University	57.1%	73.1%
4. University of Portland (BSW only)	N/A	100.0%

1. Pacific University

Pacific University’s MSW program offers two different tracks of study: a Two-Year Generalist pathway and a One-Year Advanced Standing pathway.

The Two-Year pathway is a full-time track consisting of 64 credit hours, and is open to anyone with a Bachelor’s degree in any field of study. The curriculum consists of courses in:

• Health
• Wellness
• Latino families and culture
• Racism, oppression and power in social work practice

Meanwhile, the One-Year Advanced Standing pathway is for those who’ve earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree in the last five years. This full-time track begins with a one-credit “tune-up” course, followed by the completion of 32 credit hours.

Both programs typically consist of 16 credit hours per semester. However, the Generalist program requires four semesters to complete, while Advanced Standing requires just two.

We should also note the school offers both tracks at their Eugene campus, while only the Advanced Standing track is available at their Forest Grove campus. Additionally, there does not appear to be any part-time options.

To gain entry into the MSW program at Pacific University, you’ll need to meet the following admission requirements:

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree
• Attaining a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA in undergraduate study is highly preferred
• Submission of resume
• Two letters of recommendation
• Completion of MSW application, which includes answering short essay questions

In-State Tuition	Out-of-State Tuition	ASWB Masters Exam Pass Rate	ASWB Clinical Exam Pass Rate
$853 per credit hour; $13,648 per semester (first semester of Advanced Standing costs $14,501 due to required one-credit “tune-up course”)	N/A (Private University)	100%	80.0%

2. Portland State University

Portland State University is second in our rankings of the best MSW programs in Oregon. Graduates from this school achieved an impressive 90.9% pass rate on the ASWB Master’s Exam, with 20 out of 22 passing.

Meanwhile, 171 out of 224 graduates taking the Clinical Exam passed, giving them a 76.3% pass rate.

This school offers an vast array of MSW degree pathways in multiple locations and formats, including:

• Online: Two-year and three-year tracks available
• Portland Campus: Two-year, three-year, and four-year tracks available
• Eugene Campus: Three-year track only
• Central Oregon Community College: Three-year track only, with classes held on Fridays from 9am to 5pm

Additionally, Portland State University provides both a 78-credit hour Generalist track and a 46-credit hour Advanced Standing track.

Advanced Standing students and Generalist students who’ve completed their foundation year can then choose to pursue one of two advanced concentrations. First, there is Advanced Macro Practice, grounded in community and organizational perspectives. Second, there’s Advanced Clinical Practice, focused on clinical work with adults.

Furthermore, we should note that this school offers a number of specializations, certificates, dual degrees, and assistance programs as well, including:

• School Social Work Licensure track
• Graduate Certificate in Gerontology
• Master of Public Health/MSW Dual Degree
• Culturally Responsive Child Welfare Education Program (provides tuition assistance to those agreeing to work for the “Oregon Department of Human Services in public Child Welfare or tribal Child Welfare upon graduation”)
• Behavioral Health Integration Project (provides a stipend to those agreeing to work with rural and/or medically underserved populations upon graduation)

Finally, to gain admission into Portland State University’s MSw program, you must meet the following requirements:

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree; Advanced Standing students must have earned their BSW in the last five years
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 in undergraduate coursework, or minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all previous graduate coursework
• Submission of resume
• Three letters of reference; at least one should attest to your ability to perform graduate-level coursework
• Submission of three- to four-page statement of purpose

In-State Tuition	Out-of-State Tuition	ASWB Masters Exam Pass Rate	ASWB Clinical Exam Pass Rate
$26,962 total cost (Advanced Standing track); $45,730 (Two-Year track);  $47,129 (Three-Year track);  $48,446 (Four-Year track);  Depending on your track, you could spend between $6,056 and $13,481 per semester	$37,404 total cost (Advanced Standing track);  $63,436 (Two-Year track);  $64,835 (Three-Year track);  $66,152 (Four-Year track);  Depending on your track, you could spend between $8,269 and $18,702 per semester	90.9%	76.3%

3. George Fox University

The last school in our rankings of the best MSW programs in Oregon is George Fox University, with an ASWB Master’s Exam pass rate of 57.1%. Of the seven graduates who took the test in 2022, four of them passed.

Meanwhile, graduates attained a 73.1% pass rate on the Clinical Exam, with 19 out of 26 passing.

This school offers both a traditional MSW track and Advanced Standing track. While the traditional pathway requires 62 credits and takes two to four years to complete, you can complete the 32-credit Advanced Standing track in eight to 20 months.

Additionally, courses are delivered in a hybrid format. This consists of online courses, with one to two in-person evening classes per week, plus one weekend per month at the Portland Center.

Furthermore, you can also pursue a school social worker specialization through this MSW program.

To gain entry into this program, you must meet the following admission requirements:

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree; Advanced Standing students must have earned their BSW within the last five years
• Submission of two references; For Advanced Standing students, one reference must be from your undergraduate program director or field faculty
• Submission of resume including social work-related experience
• 500-word statement of purpose
• Sample of scholarly writing from undergraduate coursework
• For Advanced Standing students, submission of field work evaluation

In-State Tuition	Out-of-State Tuition	ASWB Masters Exam Pass Rate	ASWB Clinical Exam Pass Rate
$794 per credit hour;  $49,228 total cost, or generally $12,307 per semester (Traditional track);   $25,408 total cost, or generally $12,704 per semester (Advanced Standing track)	N/A (Private University)	57.1%	73.1%

Is An MSW Program In Oregon Right For You?

While there aren’t a ton of MSW programs in Oregon to choose from, the ones we discussed above are all strong options. Each school boasts unique advantages, specializations, and tracks to complete your degree.

For example, while Pacific University boasts the highest exam pass rates, Portland State has extensive degree options, and George Fox offers a unique hybrid program.

However, if you didn’t find an MSW program in Oregon that quite piqued your interest, you’re not limited to schools in this state. In fact, you may want to explore online MSW degrees, which typically offer more flexibility and affordability than traditional, on-campus programs.

To find an MSW program suited to your goals, interests, and needs, fill out this form and we’ll help you get started!

Oregon MSW Programs FAQs

Where Can You Get An MSW Degree In Oregon?

There are three schools in Oregon offering an MSW degree. They include Pacific University, Portland State University, and George Fox University.

Additionally, you have the option to pursue an online MSW degree in Oregon if none of those schools make the right fit.

Does Oregon State Have A Social Work Program?

Oregon State University does not have a dedicated social work program. However, they do offer related degrees, like the B.S. or PhD in Human Development and Family Sciences.