Counseling is an extensive mental health career field with several specialties and domains. There are countless practices within this field, such as school counseling, addiction counseling, clinical mental health counseling, family counseling, and much more. If you would consider yourself to be a considerate and empathetic individual, capable of listening actively and providing support to those in need, you might want to consider a career in professional counseling.
Committing to a full-fledged online counseling degree program may seem overwhelming, but with the right plan and the right mindset, you’re sure to succeed. Modern technology makes the process of earning a counseling degree accessible, affordable, and uncomplicated. Most colleges and universities offer comprehensive counselor education programs and collaborative coursework through virtual systems, all available from the comfort of your own home. In other words, you could advance through an entire degree program (or two) without ever stepping foot on a college campus!
We know it can be overwhelming to find a balance between everyday responsibilities and the rigors of an academic career. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of some of the most affordable online counseling degrees out there to assist in the decision-making process. If your mind is set on a career in professional counseling, and you’re determined to achieve your goals through a high-quality, fully comprehensive online platform, this list is here for you to learn more.
Methodology
All schools considered for these rankings
- Are regionally or nationally accredited
- Offer at least one fully online counseling degree (with no more than two weeks of required in-person work)
- Were collected from official accrediting agency websites.
Schools are ranked solely by the average net price as released in the most recent IPEDs database collected in July of 2022.
2023 Most Affordable Colleges for Counseling Degrees Online
| Rank | School | Average Net Price |
| #1 | East Central University | $10,496 |
| #2 | University of Maine at Augusta | $10,811 |
| #3 | Fort Hays State University | $13,189 |
| #4 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | $13,195 |
| #5 | Aspen University | $14,215 |
| #6 | Lindsey Wilson College | $14,991 |
| #7 | Washington State University | $15,300 |
| #8 | Clarks Summit University | $17,398 |
| #9 | Southern Wesleyan University | $17,722 |
| #10 | Lee University | $18,219 |
| #11 | Johnson University Florida | $18,713 |
| #12 | Houston Baptist University | $18,932 |
| #13 | Oral Roberts University | $19,355 |
| #14 | Bay Path University | $20,435 |
| #15 | Faulkner University | $20,500 |
| #16 | Union College – KY | $20,558 |
| #17 | Indiana Wesleyan University Online | $21,204 |
| #18 | Hope International University | $21,437 |
| #19 | Toccoa Falls College | $22,212 |
| #20 | University of Cincinnati | $22,415 |
| #21 | Ohio Christian University | $22,901 |
| #22 | Ottawa University Online | $27,610 |
| #23 | Liberty University | $29,382 |
10 Best Affordable Colleges for Online Counseling Degrees
#1 East Central University
Average Net Price: $10,496
School Type: Public, Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC
Acceptance Rate: 96%
East Central University is a public institution that was founded in 1909. While attending, students have the ability to attain a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services Counseling. They will study some of the following topics.
- aging services concentration
- counseling concentration
- rehabilitation concentration
- services to the deaf concentration
This program’s online counseling degree prepares students to go wherever life leads them to accomplish things and do as much as they can. They are proud to have a history of exceptional success that has lasted for 100 years. Students can expect to learn problem-solving skills that prepare them to be adaptable throughout the real world. Students will also gain experience throughout the digital world while studying for their online counseling degrees.
This university was ranked the third-best within its state. Its programs have helped to create exceptional amounts of success for the students. While attending this university, students would gain an education that is both up-to-date and effective.
This institution was created to certify teachers. Over time, the university has grown into an institution that offers various amounts of degrees and certificates. The faculty and staff are dedicated to providing educational experiences that are always improving online and on-campus.
#2 University of Maine at Augusta
Average Net Price: $10,811
School Type: Public, Non-Profit
School Accreditation: NECHE
Acceptance Rate: 100%
The University of Maine at Augusta is the university that calls students who have a passion for helping themselves and others. While attending the University of Maine at Augusta, students will be able to enroll in the Mental Health and Human Services Associate’s or Bachelor’s online counseling degree programs. They also offer a graduate certificate in Substance Use Disorders for students wanting to offer substance abuse counseling services. These programs will allow students to attain a career in a variety of different social service fields. You can design your educational experience according to your particular needs so that you can reach your goals and become your best. You can also feel confident that you will learn everything you need about mental health social work with adolescents, adults, elderly people, and children while attaining an online counseling degree. Results have shown that in 2018, 85 percent of the University of Maine at Augusta’s graduating class found successful employment within their field.
#3 Fort Hays State University
Average Net Price: $13,189
School Type: Public, Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC
Acceptance Rate: 91%
Fort Hays State University is the university to attend if you want to receive an online master’s degree in School Counseling or Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Both programs consist of 60 hours’ worth of courses. The School Counseling Master’s degree requires passing the Praxis Professional School Counselor test. Classes are a mix of online and on-campus options, so it may be taken in a hybrid fashion. In this line of study, students are also required to spend three hours learning the various research methods, and then apply what they’ve learned by compiling a research paper. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master’s degree requires completion of a practicum and internship. The time and place of these mental health counseling internships and practicums is flexible to meet each student’s needs. In this program, there is an emphasis on Family and Couples Counseling methods.
#4 College of Biblical Studies-Houston
Average Net Price: $13,195
School Type: Private, Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC ABHE
Acceptance Rate: 100%
College of Biblical Studies-Houston is the right college for you if you want to be a mental health counselor for your clients with a more biblical perspective. To enter this program, students must have at least 69 hours of approved credits from an accredited university. Specifically, students must have 36 general education credits. If these qualifications aren’t met, the CBS register’s office will make the proper accommodations so that students can gain the credits that are needed to officially enter the counseling program.
Students will also have other options for graduating at a reasonable time with programs that may give them college-level exams, advanced placement, military equivalencies, and more.
Students can also choose to earn a counseling degree with split majors such as Christian leadership, biblical counseling, and biblical studies. This program provides a broader array of educational specialties. This means that the program also has a different set of requirements.
#5 Aspen University
Average Net Price: $14,215
School Type: Private, For-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Aspen University is a nationally accredited, privately owned online university in Glendale, Colorado near Denver that was established in 1987. It is a smaller school with 2,238 undergraduate students but it accepts 100% of applicants. Aspen offers both undergraduate and graduate programs in a variety of subjects, such as nursing, early childhood education, computer science, criminal justice, and business. Aspen graduates 18% of students, with most students opting to use Aspen as a springboard to begin their secondary education at a cost effective school and then moving on to larger schools with more resources but higher costs.
Aspen offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Addiction Studies for students aiming to enter the field of rehabilitation counseling and, more specifically, addiction counseling. This program helps to prepare alumni to radically improve the lives of addicts and to develop new treatments to help future generations and mental health counseling programs. With Aspen’s notable option for a tuition payment plan, there are countless ways Aspen offers quality learning at affordable costs.
#6 Lindsey Wilson College
Average Net Price: $14,991
School Type: Private, Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Lindsey Wilson College offers courses to students who value the accreditation of their professors. Their mental health counseling program is taught by passionate professionals with diverse areas of specialization. Your professors will have expertise in the areas of clinical rehabilitation, community health, substance abuse counseling, professional school counseling, clinical supervision, case management, group counseling, neurofeedback, career guidance, counseling theory, and more.
These courses are also tailored to better suit students’ time schedules. Dedicated students have the opportunity to choose a course with a duration of eight weeks. These courses would allow them to finish their counselor degree in as little as 18 months. There are also opportunities to earn up to 30 hours of prior learning credits.
#7 Washington State University
Average Net Price: $15,300
School Type: Private, Non-Profit
School Accreditation: NWCCU
Acceptance Rate: 95%
Washington State University is a nationally accredited public university in Pullman, Washington. It is a larger school with over 22,000 undergraduate students. Admissions to WSU is somewhat competitive as their student acceptance rate is 80%. WSU is home to a popular collegiate football team as well as a strong selection of majors including social science research, psychology, and nursing. 59% of WSU’s students complete their degree there, with alumni going on to earn an entry salary of $40,600.
WSU’s counseling program is one of 67 counseling psychology Ph.D. programs available in the US and accredited by the American Psychological Association and one of only two in the Pacific Northwest. Graduates of this program can gain licensure as psychologists that is valid in most states. Graduates often go on to fill positions as psychologists, academic faculty, clinicians, and post-doctoral researchers.
#8 Clarks Summit University
Average Net Price: $17,398
School Type: Private, Non-Profit
School Accreditation: MSCHE ABHE
Acceptance Rate: 62%
Clarks Summit University is a university with small classes and professors who truly have a passion to help their students succeed in all their degree programs. Attend this college if you are seeking academic preparation and discipleship. Clarks Summit University consists of classes that are carefully constructed to implement God’s word into the educational process to enhance tomorrow’s industries and ministries. You can expect to increase your faith and career skills all at once.
There are also discount opportunities for Christian workers and military workers. Payment options are just as flexible as class schedules. You will not be required to attend class at a certain time of the day while attaining a counseling degree as an online student. There are also wonderful opportunities for students to transfer electives over so that their experience caters to their graduation goals and qualifications. Students can expect to be prepared so that they can effectively practice as a marriage and family therapist, mental health counselor, psychotherapist, school guidance counselor, and more.
#9 Southern Wesleyan University
Average Net Price: $17,722
School Type: Private, Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Acceptance Rate: 56%
Southern Wesleyan University is the university that focuses on treating clients for issues that stop families and individuals from prospering in life. Students will learn about concentration areas like career counseling, addictions counseling, family therapist counseling, and more. Students will understand the correlation between mental health and substance abuse thoroughly enough to help themselves and their clients live happier more productive lives.
Students can also get the reassurance that they are in a faith-filled community. This university enforces the importance of flexible courses, community and support, career importance, and safety. Faculty and staff are dedicated to helping students understand the university’s respect for these aspects towards quality education online and on-campus.
This university also prides itself on being an affordable investment for future careers that helps students benefit for the rest of their lives. Students will be equipped with skills that give them the ability to avoid unemployment and fit their unique needs.
#10 Lee University
Average Net Price: $18,219
School Type: Private, Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Acceptance Rate: 83%
Lee University is the university that allows students to choose from six different online undergraduate mental health counseling programs. Their ministry leadership program specifically provides opportunities for students to get a counseling degree. Students can also expect their courses to emphasize studying children’s ministry, music and worship, youth ministry, church administration, business, and more.
These concentrated areas are constructed to prepare students to be able to lead Christians into applying leadership skills throughout their daily lives while also interacting with others. These qualities are taught to encourage productive leadership skills throughout the church. Students will also be equipped with the clinical counseling skills to research and analyze information in a productive manner for their church members and more. This counseling degree online program also emphasizes the importance of praise and worship within traditional churches and children’s ministries.Students can expect to be thoroughly educated about the true responsibilities of a children’s minister throughout the church so that their ministry grows in the right direction to promote proper mental health counselor conduct.
