Best MSW Programs in Illinois (2026)
Every CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work program in Illinois for 2026, with tuition costs, LCSW licensure requirements, salary data, and field placement details.
Key Takeaways
- Illinois has 14+ CSWE-accredited MSW programs, one of the largest selections in the Midwest, ranging from the #3-ranked University of Chicago Crown Family School to affordable public options under $400/credit.
- In-state tuition ranges from $383/credit at Governors State (most affordable) to $1,180/credit at Loyola Chicago. The University of Chicago charges $17,241/quarter for its top-ranked AM program.
- The LCSW requires 3,000 supervised clinical hours after your MSW, plus passing the ASWB Clinical exam. Illinois also offers an LSW credential available immediately upon graduation.
- Illinois social workers earn near or slightly above national medians: child/family social workers earn a median of $60,740, healthcare social workers $59,030, and mental health social workers $54,870. Chicago metro salaries run 10-15% higher.
- Illinois has significant mental health workforce shortages, particularly in rural downstate counties. The Community Behavioral Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Program provides up to $6,500/year for LCSWs working in shortage areas.
Illinois is one of the best states in the country to study social work. With 14+ CSWE-accredited MSW programs, you have options at every price point and format — from the University of Chicago's globally ranked Crown Family School to affordable public universities like Governors State and SIU Carbondale. Chicago alone has half a dozen MSW programs, and the rest of the state is well-covered by programs at UIUC, Illinois State, SIU, and others.
The social work job market in Illinois is strong, driven by Chicago's massive healthcare and social services infrastructure plus significant workforce shortages across rural downstate communities. Every MSW program in Illinois prepares you for licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), which is the credential you need for independent clinical practice and the highest-paying roles. The path after graduation: accumulate 3,000 supervised clinical hours, pass the ASWB Clinical exam, and apply through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
Illinois is also a leader in integrated behavioral health, with major health systems like Northwestern Medicine, Advocate Health, Rush, and the University of Chicago Medicine all employing social workers in hospital, outpatient, and community settings. Between the state's loan repayment programs, federal PSLF eligibility at public agencies and nonprofits, and NHSC programs, there are real financial pathways to offset the cost of your degree.
CSWE-Accredited MSW Programs in Illinois
All 10 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.
| # | School | In-State Tuition | Format | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Chicago — Crown Family School | $51,723/year ($17,241/quarter) | On-campus | |
| 2 | University of Illinois Chicago — Jane Addams College | $11,360/year (~$568/credit) | On-campus | |
| 3 | Loyola University Chicago | $1,180/credit (private, flat rate) | On-campus or fully online | |
| 4 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | $11,360/year (~$568/credit) | On-campus or fully online | |
| 5 | Illinois State University | $432/credit | On-campus | |
| 6 | Southern Illinois University Carbondale | $470/credit | On-campus or fully online | |
| 7 | DePaul University | $855/credit (private, flat rate) | On-campus | |
| 8 | Aurora University — George Williams School | $618/credit (private, flat rate) | On-campus or fully online | |
| 9 | Governors State University | $383/credit | On-campus | |
| 10 | Northeastern Illinois University | $464/credit | On-campus |
University of Chicago — Crown Family School
In-State
$51,723/year ($17,241/quarter)
Out-of-State
$51,723/year ($17,241/quarter)
Length
2 years (6 quarters)
Field Hours
1,000 (400 first year + 600 second year)
Concentrations
- Ranked #3 nationally by U.S. News & World Report
- Awards an AM (Master of Arts) degree equivalent to MSW for licensure
- 95% of master's students receive merit- and need-based tuition scholarships
- Accredited since 1920, one of the oldest social work programs in the country
- Extended Evening program designed for working professionals
University of Illinois Chicago — Jane Addams College
In-State
$11,360/year (~$568/credit)
Out-of-State
$19,916/year (~$996/credit)
Length
2 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
1,000
Concentrations
- Named for Jane Addams, Nobel laureate and founder of Hull House
- Five distinct specializations — most options of any Illinois MSW program
- Interdepartmental concentration in Gender and Women's Studies available
- PM-Extended option with evening courses for working professionals
- Located in downtown Chicago with extensive urban field placement network
Loyola University Chicago
In-State
$1,180/credit (private, flat rate)
Out-of-State
$1,180/credit (private, flat rate)
Length
2 years (49 credits)
Field Hours
900
Concentrations
- Over 1,000 agency partners for field placement internships
- Fully online MSW option available for students who cannot attend in person
- Migration Studies concentration unique among Illinois programs
- Dual degree options with law, divinity, public health, and women's studies
- Jesuit mission with strong commitment to social justice and community service
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
In-State
$11,360/year (~$568/credit)
Out-of-State
$19,916/year (~$996/credit)
Length
2 years (64 credits)
Field Hours
900
Concentrations
- iMSW online program at $620/credit — work full-time while earning your degree
- Big Ten research university with robust alumni network
- Online evening classes designed for working professionals
- Competitive financial aid including tuition waivers and assistantships
- School Social Work concentration leads to Illinois Type 73 certificate
Illinois State University
In-State
$432/credit
Out-of-State
$907/credit
Length
2 years (48 credits)
Field Hours
900
Concentrations
- Affordable public university option in central Illinois
- School Social Work concentration with Type 73 certification pathway
- Accepts BSW degrees up to 7 years old for advanced standing
- Small cohort sizes with individualized faculty advising
- Strong field placement network across central Illinois agencies
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
In-State
$470/credit
Out-of-State
$940/credit
Length
2 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
900
Concentrations
- Fully online MSW option at the same in-state tuition rate
- School Social Work sub-specialty and Gerontology certificate add-ons
- One of the most affordable MSW programs in Illinois for residents
- Serves southern Illinois, a region with significant mental health workforce shortages
- Small class sizes in a research university setting
DePaul University
In-State
$855/credit (private, flat rate)
Out-of-State
$855/credit (private, flat rate)
Length
2 years (88 quarter credits)
Field Hours
1,000 (two year-long placements)
Concentrations
- One of few MSW programs nationally with a Forensic Social Work concentration
- Vincentian mission focused on social justice in urban settings
- Quarter system allows faster pace through the curriculum
- Located in downtown Chicago Loop with access to courts, hospitals, and agencies
- Dual MSW/MA in Women's and Gender Studies available
Aurora University — George Williams School
In-State
$618/credit (private, flat rate)
Out-of-State
$618/credit (private, flat rate)
Length
2 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
900
Concentrations
- Named for the historic George Williams College of Social Work
- Fully online MSW program available statewide
- Total program cost around $31,920 — strong value for a private school
- Dual MSW/MBA and MSW/MPA programs available
- Post-MSW School Social Work certification for practicing social workers
Governors State University
In-State
$383/credit
Out-of-State
$766/credit
Length
2 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
900
Concentrations
- Most affordable MSW program in Illinois at $383/credit for residents
- Afternoon/evening class schedule designed for working students
- School Social Work concentration leads to Professional Educator License
- Located in Chicago's south suburbs with access to Cook County agencies
- Mental health and licensed child welfare sub-specializations available
Northeastern Illinois University
In-State
$464/credit
Out-of-State
$927/credit
Length
2 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
1,080 (480 generalist + 600 specialized)
Concentrations
- One of the most diverse universities in the Midwest
- 1,080 total practicum hours — among the highest of any Illinois program
- Strong community partnerships in Chicago's northwest side neighborhoods
- School Social Work specialization available within concentrations
- Affordable public university with competitive graduate assistantships
Social Work Licensure Requirements in Illinois
The licensing board, exam pathway, and supervised hours you'll need to practice independently.
Licensing Board
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
888-473-4858
Illinois issues two social work credentials under the Clinical Social Work Practice Act (225 ILCS 20). The LSW is available immediately after graduation and lets you practice under supervision. The LCSW is the independent practice license that most MSW graduates work toward — it allows you to diagnose and treat mental health conditions, open a private practice, and bill insurance directly.
Illinois also recently enacted PA 103-433, which provides an alternative pathway to LCSW licensure for applicants who have taken but not passed the ASWB Clinical exam on or after January 1, 2019, requiring an additional 3,000 hours of supervised experience in lieu of the exam.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders, psychotherapy, independent and private practice, insurance billing
Hours
3,000
Duration
2 years
Exam: ASWB Clinical
Licensed Social Worker
Social work practice under supervision, including assessment, counseling, case management, and community organizing
Hours
N/A
Duration
Associate
Exam: ASWB Masters
Illinois does not have formal reciprocity with other states, but the IDFPR will evaluate out-of-state licenses on a case-by-case basis. Applicants licensed in another state must demonstrate that their education and supervised experience meet Illinois requirements. If your out-of-state requirements were substantially equivalent, you may be granted licensure without additional supervised hours. The IDFPR processes these applications through the CORE online system. Processing times vary, so apply early if you're planning a move to Illinois.
Social Worker Salary in Illinois
BLS state median wages by counseling specialty, with national comparison and top-paying metros.
Illinois social workers earn salaries near or slightly above national medians, with significant variation between the Chicago metro area and downstate communities. Chicago-area social workers typically earn 10-15% more than their downstate counterparts. All salary data below is from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
National median: $58,570
Top metro: $65,630 (Chicago-Naperville-Elgin)
Healthcare Social Workers
National median: $68,090
Top metro: $63,500 (Chicago-Naperville-Elgin)
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
National median: $60,060
Top metro: $59,200 (Chicago-Naperville-Elgin)
Social Workers, All Other
National median: $63,770
Top metro: $70,100 (Chicago-Naperville-Elgin)
Illinois Social Work Job Market and Workforce
Major employers, mental health shortage context, and loan repayment programs that erase debt for service.
Illinois faces significant behavioral health workforce shortages, particularly in rural downstate counties where access to mental health professionals is severely limited. The Illinois Department of Public Health works with HRSA to designate mental health professional shortage areas throughout the state, with dozens of counties and population groups identified as underserved.
The Chicago metropolitan area is the state's largest employer of social workers, with major health systems including Northwestern Medicine, Advocate Health, Rush University Medical Center, University of Chicago Medicine, Lurie Children's Hospital, and Sinai Chicago all employing clinical social workers. State agencies including the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Department of Human Services (DHS), and Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) are also major employers. The state's community mental health center network, with over 150 centers statewide, provides additional employment opportunities particularly in underserved areas.
Illinois has invested in financial incentives to address workforce shortages, and social workers at state agencies, VA hospitals, federally qualified health centers, and nonprofit organizations all qualify for federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) after 120 qualifying payments.
Loan Repayment & Scholarship Programs
Community Behavioral Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Program — Up to $6,500/year for LCSWs (or $6,000/year for BSW holders) working at community mental health centers, behavioral health clinics, or substance use treatment centers in underserved or rural Illinois HPSAs. Available for up to 4 years.
Human Services Professional Loan Repayment Program — Available for professionals working in human services positions in Illinois, including social workers at state-funded agencies.
National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment — Up to $75,000 in loan repayment for LCSWs who commit to 3 years at an NHSC-approved site in a Health Professional Shortage Area. Illinois has dozens of eligible sites.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) — Social workers at state agencies (DCFS, DHS), VA hospitals, FQHCs, and nonprofit health systems all qualify for federal PSLF after 10 years (120 payments) of income-driven repayment.
How to Choose an MSW Program in Illinois
Decision factors that actually matter, not generic checklist filler.
With 14+ MSW programs, Illinois gives you more choices than most states. The biggest factors in your decision should be cost, location, format, and whether you need a specific concentration.
If you want the strongest name on your diploma: The University of Chicago Crown Family School is ranked #3 nationally and carries weight anywhere in the country. UIC's Jane Addams College is also highly respected, particularly in the Midwest, and costs a fraction of UChicago.
If you're an Illinois resident on a budget: Governors State at $383/credit is the most affordable MSW in Illinois. SIU Carbondale at $470/credit and ISU at $432/credit are also excellent values with strong field placement networks.
If you need a fully online program: UIUC's iMSW ($620/credit), SIU Carbondale, Loyola Chicago, and Aurora University all offer CSWE-accredited fully online MSW programs. UIUC's is the most affordable online option from a public university.
If you need to work full-time while studying: UChicago's Extended Evening program, UIC's PM-Extended track, Governors State's afternoon/evening classes, and all online programs are designed for working professionals.
If you have a BSW and want to finish fast: Most Illinois programs offer advanced standing in about 1 year. Loyola's is just 23 credits, making it one of the fastest. ISU accepts BSW degrees up to 7 years old.
If you want a School Social Work concentration: UIC, ISU, Loyola, DePaul, Aurora, Governors State, and NEIU all offer School Social Work concentrations leading to Illinois Type 73 certification or Professional Educator License.
If you want clinical forensic training: DePaul is one of very few programs nationally with a dedicated Forensic Social Work concentration, ideal if you want to work in criminal justice, courts, or correctional settings.
Related Pages
Best Online MSW Programs
National ranking of the top online MSW programs
Best Online BSW Programs
If you need a BSW before your MSW
Best Online DSW Programs
Doctoral programs for experienced social workers
Best Dual MSW/JD Programs
Joint social work and law degrees
Clinical Social Worker Career Guide
What LCSWs actually do day-to-day
Clinical Social Worker Salary
Salary data by state, experience, and setting
MSW Programs by State
Browse all state-level MSW program guides
Sources
- CSWE Accredited Programs Directory — Illinois
- IDFPR — Social Work Licensure Requirements
- Bureau of Labor Statistics — Social Workers in Illinois (May 2024)
- ASWB — Licensing Exams
- HRSA — Mental Health HPSA Data
- ISAC — Community Behavioral Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Program
- Illinois DPH — Shortage Designations