Check Out 2024’s Most Affordable Online Master’s Degrees in Counseling

Author: Shannon Lee

Editor: Staff Editor

This year’s rankings highlights 50 accredited online Master in Counseling programs that rank highly on affordability. Read on to learn more about these affordable online master’s programs, if they are right for you and about how to fund your master’s degree.

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Two men engaging in a cheerful conversation while sitting across from each other in a bright, modern living room. one gestures animatedly, expressing happiness.

Working as a counselor not only helps others, it also offers job security with the ever-increasing demand for mental health services. Many states require a master’s degree to work as a licensed or certified counselor, and many counseling programs offer their master’s degree in counseling online to make getting the necessary education easier. Remote learning also makes working while in school possible.

Even with the accessibility of online learning, paying for graduate education is still a major hurdle. This guide helps prospective counselors figure out how to pay for their online master’s degree. It also overviews how online counseling master’s degree programs work and how to find the most affordable program.

50 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Mental Health Counseling Programs for 2024

Choosing the right master’s in counseling program is a personal decision, and cost is a significant factor. While enrolling in a program you can afford is important, you don’t want to skimp on academic quality. The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) provided several quality metrics to help determine the most affordable and accessible high-quality online master’s in counseling programs for 2024. Learn more about how we developed our ranking system by clicking on the “About the ranking” button below.

About the ranking
1
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$

For students interested in working in pastoral care in a Christian religious setting, the MA in Biblical Counseling offered by Luther Rice College and Seminary offers training to work as a non-licensed counselor in churches and other religious settings. Please note that this program, while accredited, does not prepare students to become licensed as clinical mental health counselors or therapists but instead is a religious-based program for students who want to work in Christian settings exclusively. The program includes a practicum.

Program Highlights:

Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling

  • Credits: 36
  • Length: 18-24 months
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, and Association for Biblical Higher Education

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationABHE
2
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

Southern Arkansas University offers a fully online, 60-credit master’s program in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling. The program takes 3.5-4 years for completion; upon graduation, you’ll be prepared for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Arkansas. In addition to meeting licensure requirements, you’ll take at least one core course from the Southern Arkansas School of Education. To graduate, you must earn an A or B in all courses.

Program Highlights:

Master’s in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling

  • Credits: 60
  • Length: 3.5-4 years
  • Mode: Fully online or on campus
  • Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationHLC
3
Jonesboro, Arkansas
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

The MSE in School Counseling offered by Arkansas State University is a 48-credit, fully online program for students who want to work as K-12 school counselors in a public or private school. This degree is designed for flexibility and is approved by the Arkansas Department of Education. The curriculum focuses on culturally sensitive approaches to school counseling and follows national standards for school counselor preparation, making it relevant even if you plan to work outside of Arkansas. Prior teaching experience is not required, although you should have an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher to be considered for admission.

Program Highlights:

MSE in School Counseling

  • Credits: 48
  • Length: Two years
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationHLC
4
Livingston, Alabama
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationSACSCOC
5
San Angelo, Texas
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationSACSCOC
6
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationSACSCOC
7
Surprise, Arizona
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationHLC
8
Lynchburg, Virginia
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationSACSCOC
9
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationSACSCOC
10
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationHLC
11
Durham, North Carolina
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationSACSCOC
12
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationHLC
13
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationSACSCOC
14
Greenville, North Carolina
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationSACSCOC
15
Beaumont, Texas
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationSACSCOC
16
Jamestown, North Dakota
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationHLC
17
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationHLC
18
Montgomery, Alabama
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationSACSCOC
19
Watertown, Wisconsin
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationHLC
20
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationABHE
21
University Park, Illinois
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationHLC
22
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationHLC
23
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationSACSCOC
24
Fort Valley, Georgia
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationSACSCOC
25
Wichita Falls, Texas
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationSACSCOC
26
Alamosa, Colorado
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationHLC
27
Cleveland, Georgia
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationSACSCOC
28
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationSACSCOC
29
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationHLC
30
River Forest, Illinois
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationHLC
31
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationSACSCOC
32
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationHLC
33
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationSACSCOC
34
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationSACSCOC
35
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationHLC
36
Prairie View, Texas
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationSACSCOC
37
Williamsburg, Virginia
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationSACSCOC
38
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationHLC
39
New Orleans, Louisiana
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationSACSCOC
40
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationSACSCOC
41
Menomonie, Wisconsin
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationHLC
42
Terre Haute, Indiana
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationHLC
43
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationABHE
44
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationSACSCOC
45
Newport, Rhode Island
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationNECHE
46
Bluefield, Virginia
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationNWCCU
47
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationHLC
48
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationNWCCU
49
Lock Haven, Pennsylvania
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationMSCHE
50
Morehead, Kentucky
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career ServicesYes
Academic CounselingYes
AccreditationSACSCOC

5 Ways to Save on your Master’s Degree in Counseling

For most students, tuition is the biggest hurdle to enrollment. Thankfully, there are several options available to help pay for the cost of your online counseling master’s degree. Below are some of the funding options available to those considering the most affordable online masters in mental health counseling programs.

  1. Scholarships, grants, and fellowships created for Counseling Master’s students.

    Scholarships, grants, and fellowships are ideal forms of financial aid because they don’t have to be paid back. Many are available directly from schools offering online counseling degree programs. For example, the Master of Education in Counseling with a concentration in School Counseling from William and Mary offers various scholarships with awards from $2,300 to $5,000. Learn more about other scholarships and related opportunities through OMD’s scholarships and resources guide.

  2. Work-Study or Assistantships

    Work-study gives part-time jobs based on financial need and provides money to help pay for the education. Assistantships are a type of academic employment where students usually get paid in the form of tuition discounts in return for helping one or more faculty members with certain tasks. For students who must already be on campus, some online master’s in counseling programs, like Fort Valley State University’s on-campus work-study opportunities, have some options available.

  3. Employer Tuition Reimbursement Programs

    Employer tuition reimbursement programs are an employment benefit or perk where employers pay for some or all of your advanced education. Employees may need to continue working while taking classes, but exactly how the tuition reimbursement program works varies among employers. Generally, employers ask employees to continue working for them for a set number of years after graduation. If the employee fails to honor this agreement, they may need to reimburse their employer for the money spent on their education.

  4. Payment Plans

    Payment plans are a great option for those who have the money to pay for their education but need a bit of flexibility in doing so. The terms of a payment plan depend on the specific school, but they usually work by charging a modest fee, maybe $100 or so, to pay tuition throughout the semester instead of all at once. Usually, no interest is charged, and students make payments each month. Payment plans are more popular at the undergraduate level, but they do exist for some online master’s degree counseling programs, such as at Capella University.

  5. Paid Internships

    Accredited master’s degree programs in counseling require hands-on training through internships and/or practicums. These often take hundreds of hours to complete. To help students pay for their education, some schools, like William James College, offer stipends while students complete these in-person requirements. This is a great option for those who can’t use their full-time job experience to satisfy internship and practicum academic requirements.

FAQs about Affordable Master’s Programs in Computer Science

Q. What impacts the affordability of an online master’s program?

One of the biggest factors in affordability is whether a school is private or public. This difference may not matter for out-of-state students who will likely pay out-of-state tuition rates that rival that of private universities. In addition, some programs charge the same tuition regardless of a student’s residency status, so this factor may not matter. The true cost of attendance is also impacted by grants and scholarships as well as a school’s transfer credit policy.

Q. What is the ROI of an online master’s degree in Computer Science?

Earning a master’s degree in counseling improves your professional prospects, especially with compensation. For example, a mental health counselor who treats families only needs a bachelor’s degree and receives a median salary of $48,520. With a master’s degree in counseling, a mental health counselor is eligible to become a licensed family therapist and could increase their median salary to $49,880. The biggest benefit is the potential for even higher salaries with the top 10% of family therapists earning $96,520 and the top 10% of mental health counselors earning only $77.980.

Q. How can I ensure that an affordable Master’s in Counseling program is high-quality?

The best way to ensure you’re getting a quality education is to enroll in an accredited counseling program, such as one accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). In addition to accreditation, look at career services and networking opportunities. You’ll also want a program that prepares you for state licensure. If possible, look for statistics showing what percentage of graduates find a counseling-related position within a certain period after graduation.

Q. Is an online master’s degree more affordable than an in-person one?

Sometimes the tuition rate for online students is cheaper or the same as the tuition rate for in-state students. Other times, the tuition rate is the same for all students, but distance learning and self-paced curriculums make it easier for students to pay for their degrees. For instance, by adjusting the pace of learning, students can work while in school. In addition, not having to travel to campus means students can avoid travel and moving expenses.

Q. Can job experience count towards a master’s degree and help cut costs?

Many online counseling master’s programs let students obtain academic credit for work experience relevant to their degrees. There are variations in how this credit works, though. For example, schools differ in how many experience credits they let a student earn or what kind of class credits a student can replace with work experience.

Q. How can I know if an affordable master’s degree program is right for me?

This depends on what you need in a program. For example, one program could have the lowest tuition but only allow you to take classes full time, which might mean you can’t work while in school. If you don’t plan on working, perhaps an accelerated program letting you finish your degree early is ideal. To decide if a program is affordable, make a list of program characteristics that are important to you and go from there.

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