50 Most Affordable Mental Health Counseling School Programs

Get Matched With Mental Health Counseling Colleges

Affordable mental health degrees are widely available in all regions of the country and all sizes of higher learning institutions. Classes are offered in-person, as a hybrid option, or even online. These degrees are also available in many different levels and specializations.

While COVID-19 catapulted mental health conditions and issues to unprecedented levels, the fragile state of people’s mental health has been in decline for decades in the US. Today, mental health professionals have never been more in demand. In fact, according to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), at least one in five adults suffers from a mental illness and, of these illnesses, 20% suffer from anxiety. Those who are of multiracial backgrounds and those part of the LGBTQ+ community suffer at the highest rates.

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Top 50 Affordable Mental Health Counseling Colleges and Universities

1

CUNY Hunter College

Score: 100

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,382
- Out-of-State: $15,332
Net Price: $4,848
Acceptance Rate: 48%
Retention Rate: 80%

Graduation Rate: 56%
Total Enrollment: 22,970
Undergrad Students: 17,256
Graduate Students: 5,714
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

2

CUNY Bernard M Baruch College

Score: 99.28

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,464
- Out-of-State: $15,414
Net Price: $4,991
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Retention Rate: 84%

Graduation Rate: 74%
Total Enrollment: 19,854
Undergrad Students: 15,896
Graduate Students: 3,958
Grads Salary: $81,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

3

CUNY City College

Score: 98.33

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,340
- Out-of-State: $15,290
Net Price: $5,181
Acceptance Rate: 67%
Retention Rate: 75%

Graduation Rate: 59%
Total Enrollment: 14,489
Undergrad Students: 11,929
Graduate Students: 2,560
Grads Salary: $81,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

4

CUNY Brooklyn College

Score: 94.36

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,452
- Out-of-State: $15,402
Net Price: $5,972
Acceptance Rate: 55%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 55%
Total Enrollment: 14,195
Undergrad Students: 11,661
Graduate Students: 2,534
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

5

CUNY Queens College

Score: 92.04

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,538
- Out-of-State: $15,488
Net Price: $6,434
Acceptance Rate: 69%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 56%
Total Enrollment: 17,001
Undergrad Students: 14,406
Graduate Students: 2,595
Grads Salary: $75,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

6

Chicago State University

Score: 91.98

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,754
- Out-of-State: $12,754
Net Price: $6,446
Acceptance Rate: 49%
Retention Rate: 55%

Graduation Rate: 28%
Total Enrollment: 2,317
Undergrad Students: 1,450
Graduate Students: 867
Grads Salary: $75,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

7

Indiana University-Kokomo

Score: 90.96

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,179
- Out-of-State: $22,043
Net Price: $6,648
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Retention Rate: 64%

Graduation Rate: 42%
Total Enrollment: 2,846
Undergrad Students: 2,669
Graduate Students: 177
Grads Salary: $62,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

8

College of Staten Island CUNY

Score: 88.11

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,490
- Out-of-State: $15,440
Net Price: $7,217
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 69%

Graduation Rate: 35%
Total Enrollment: 10,248
Undergrad Students: 9,299
Graduate Students: 949
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

9

Northern Kentucky University

Score: 87.9

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,896
- Out-of-State: $21,480
Net Price: $7,259
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 50%
Total Enrollment: 15,801
Undergrad Students: 10,776
Graduate Students: 5,025
Grads Salary: $72,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

10

California State University-Fresno

Score: 86.65

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,980
- Out-of-State: $18,860
Net Price: $7,507
Acceptance Rate: 95%
Retention Rate: 76%

Graduation Rate: 56%
Total Enrollment: 23,999
Undergrad Students: 21,354
Graduate Students: 2,645
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 21:1

11

California State University-Fullerton

Score: 84.55

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,073
- Out-of-State: $18,953
Net Price: $7,925
Acceptance Rate: 67%
Retention Rate: 86%

Graduation Rate: 69%
Total Enrollment: 40,386
Undergrad Students: 35,432
Graduate Students: 4,954
Grads Salary: $80,000
Student-to-faculty: 24:1

12

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Score: 83.65

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,859
- Out-of-State: $19,939
Net Price: $8,105
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 76%

Graduation Rate: 53%
Total Enrollment: 31,559
Undergrad Students: 26,434
Graduate Students: 5,125
Grads Salary: $66,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

13

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Score: 83.13

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,571
- Out-of-State: $7,571
Net Price: $8,208
Acceptance Rate: 90%
Retention Rate: 72%

Graduation Rate: 45%
Total Enrollment: 7,666
Undergrad Students: 5,643
Graduate Students: 2,023
Grads Salary: $56,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

14

Indiana University-Southeast

Score: 82.85

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,179
- Out-of-State: $22,043
Net Price: $8,264
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Retention Rate: 61%

Graduation Rate: 35%
Total Enrollment: 3,672
Undergrad Students: 3,227
Graduate Students: 445
Grads Salary: $69,000
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

15

University of Wisconsin-Parkside

Score: 81.62

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,855
- Out-of-State: $16,497
Net Price: $8,510
Acceptance Rate: 73%
Retention Rate: 71%

Graduation Rate: 40%
Total Enrollment: 3,947
Undergrad Students: 3,236
Graduate Students: 711
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

16

Marshall University

Score: 80.38

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,942
- Out-of-State: $20,294
Net Price: $8,756
Acceptance Rate: 97%
Retention Rate: 74%

Graduation Rate: 50%
Total Enrollment: 10,691
Undergrad Students: 7,952
Graduate Students: 2,739
Grads Salary: $68,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

17

Indiana University-South Bend

Score: 80.23

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,179
- Out-of-State: $22,043
Net Price: $8,785
Acceptance Rate: 87%
Retention Rate: 66%

Graduation Rate: 36%
Total Enrollment: 4,326
Undergrad Students: 3,753
Graduate Students: 573
Grads Salary: $67,000
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

18

Indiana University-East

Score: 79.97

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,179
- Out-of-State: $22,043
Net Price: $8,837
Acceptance Rate: 78%
Retention Rate: 64%

Graduation Rate: 42%
Total Enrollment: 3,039
Undergrad Students: 2,786
Graduate Students: 253
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

19

Purdue University Northwest

Score: 78.34

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,419
- Out-of-State: $15,620
Net Price: $9,162
Acceptance Rate: 73%
Retention Rate: 64%

Graduation Rate: 44%
Total Enrollment: 8,911
Undergrad Students: 8,176
Graduate Students: 735
Grads Salary: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

20

North Carolina A&T State University

Score: 78.21

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,748
- Out-of-State: $20,408
Net Price: $9,189
Acceptance Rate: 56%
Retention Rate: 74%

Graduation Rate: 57%
Total Enrollment: 13,487
Undergrad Students: 11,833
Graduate Students: 1,654
Grads Salary: $79,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

21

Utah Valley University

Score: 77.42

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,270
- Out-of-State: $17,830
Net Price: $9,346
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 68%

Graduation Rate: 39%
Total Enrollment: 43,099
Undergrad Students: 42,296
Graduate Students: 803
Grads Salary: $68,000
Student-to-faculty: 25:1

22

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Score: 76.9

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,640
- Out-of-State: $22,752
Net Price: $9,450
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 70%

Graduation Rate: 39%
Total Enrollment: 6,607
Undergrad Students: 5,636
Graduate Students: 971
Grads Salary: $82,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

23

The University of Texas at El Paso

Score: 76.33

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,744
- Out-of-State: $25,512
Net Price: $9,563
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 75%

Graduation Rate: 47%
Total Enrollment: 23,880
Undergrad Students: 20,165
Graduate Students: 3,715
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

24

Florida Atlantic University

Score: 75.59

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,879
- Out-of-State: $17,324
Net Price: $9,711
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Retention Rate: 81%

Graduation Rate: 62%
Total Enrollment: 29,592
Undergrad Students: 24,191
Graduate Students: 5,401
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

25

Governors State University

Score: 74.97

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,320
- Out-of-State: $11,320
Net Price: $9,833
Acceptance Rate: 57%
Retention Rate: 56%

Graduation Rate: 21%
Total Enrollment: 4,427
Undergrad Students: 2,609
Graduate Students: 1,818
Grads Salary: $68,000
Student-to-faculty: 10:1

26

Florida International University

Score: 74.73

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,565
- Out-of-State: $18,963
Net Price: $9,881
Acceptance Rate: 64%
Retention Rate: 91%

Graduation Rate: 69%
Total Enrollment: 55,609
Undergrad Students: 45,688
Graduate Students: 9,921
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 24:1

27

Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Score: 74.12

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,200
- Out-of-State: $16,410
Net Price: $10,004
Acceptance Rate: 74%
Retention Rate: 59%

Graduation Rate: 34%
Total Enrollment: 5,479
Undergrad Students: 3,022
Graduate Students: 2,457
Grads Salary: $69,000
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

28

East Central University

Score: 73.03

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,032
- Out-of-State: $17,542
Net Price: $10,221
Acceptance Rate: 70%
Retention Rate: 60%

Graduation Rate: 31%
Total Enrollment: 3,376
Undergrad Students: 2,730
Graduate Students: 646
Grads Salary: $66,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

29

University of North Texas at Dallas

Score: 72.37

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,590
- Out-of-State: $22,189
Net Price: $10,351
Acceptance Rate: 94%
Retention Rate: 68%

Graduation Rate: 44%
Total Enrollment: 3,685
Undergrad Students: 3,001
Graduate Students: 684
Grads Salary: $81,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

30

The University of Texas Permian Basin

Score: 72.28

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,904
- Out-of-State: $23,212
Net Price: $10,370
Acceptance Rate: 95%
Retention Rate: 66%

Graduation Rate: 40%
Total Enrollment: 5,848
Undergrad Students: 4,640
Graduate Students: 1,208
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

31

New Mexico State University

Score: 72.09

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,147
- Out-of-State: $25,271
Net Price: $10,407
Acceptance Rate: 78%
Retention Rate: 72%

Graduation Rate: 51%
Total Enrollment: 14,268
Undergrad Students: 11,591
Graduate Students: 2,677
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

32

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Score: 71.05

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,989
- Out-of-State: $39,330
Net Price: $10,614
Acceptance Rate: 17%
Retention Rate: 96%

Graduation Rate: 91%
Total Enrollment: 31,705
Undergrad Students: 20,029
Graduate Students: 11,676
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

33

Western New Mexico University

Score: 70.74

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,868
- Out-of-State: $14,354
Net Price: $10,676
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 62%

Graduation Rate: 31%
Total Enrollment: 3,378
Undergrad Students: 2,377
Graduate Students: 1,001
Grads Salary: $66,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

34

Kean University

Score: 70.39

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,426
- Out-of-State: $21,076
Net Price: $10,747
Acceptance Rate: 83%
Retention Rate: 74%

Graduation Rate: 51%
Total Enrollment: 12,884
Undergrad Students: 10,845
Graduate Students: 2,039
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

35

Eastern Kentucky University

Score: 70.09

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,130
- Out-of-State: $20,820
Net Price: $10,806
Acceptance Rate: 64%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 49%
Total Enrollment: 14,324
Undergrad Students: 12,072
Graduate Students: 2,252
Grads Salary: $69,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

36

Florida Gulf Coast University

Score: 69.95

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,118
- Out-of-State: $25,162
Net Price: $10,834
Acceptance Rate: 74%
Retention Rate: 81%

Graduation Rate: 59%
Total Enrollment: 15,969
Undergrad Students: 14,130
Graduate Students: 1,839
Grads Salary: $63,000
Student-to-faculty: 20:1

37

New Mexico Highlands University

Score: 69.86

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,260
- Out-of-State: $12,180
Net Price: $10,852
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 63%

Graduation Rate: 25%
Total Enrollment: 2,677
Undergrad Students: 1,625
Graduate Students: 1,052
Grads Salary: N/A
Student-to-faculty: 10:1

38

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Score: 69.22

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,593
- Out-of-State: $23,339
Net Price: $10,979
Acceptance Rate: 92%
Retention Rate: 73%

Graduation Rate: 58%
Total Enrollment: 17,978
Undergrad Students: 14,198
Graduate Students: 3,780
Grads Salary: $65,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

39

University of South Florida

Score: 69.09

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,410
- Out-of-State: $17,324
Net Price: $11,004
Acceptance Rate: 44%
Retention Rate: 90%

Graduation Rate: 74%
Total Enrollment: 49,600
Undergrad Students: 38,047
Graduate Students: 11,553
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

40

Rhode Island College

Score: 69.04

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,986
- Out-of-State: $26,519
Net Price: $11,014
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 71%

Graduation Rate: 44%
Total Enrollment: 5,787
Undergrad Students: 4,719
Graduate Students: 1,068
Grads Salary: $72,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

41

Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Score: 68.9

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,548
- Out-of-State: $23,124
Net Price: $11,043
Acceptance Rate: 96%
Retention Rate: 72%

Graduation Rate: 31%
Total Enrollment: 7,309
Undergrad Students: 6,616
Graduate Students: 693
Grads Salary: N/A
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

42

Western Illinois University

Score: 68.05

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,952
- Out-of-State: $14,952
Net Price: $11,213
Acceptance Rate: 75%
Retention Rate: 67%

Graduation Rate: 47%
Total Enrollment: 7,643
Undergrad Students: 5,309
Graduate Students: 2,334
Grads Salary: $74,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

43

University of North Florida

Score: 67.42

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,389
- Out-of-State: $20,793
Net Price: $11,338
Acceptance Rate: 71%
Retention Rate: 80%

Graduation Rate: 68%
Total Enrollment: 16,406
Undergrad Students: 14,171
Graduate Students: 2,235
Grads Salary: $68,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

44

University of Louisiana at Monroe

Score: 67.34

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,190
- Out-of-State: $21,290
Net Price: $11,353
Acceptance Rate: 70%
Retention Rate: 73%

Graduation Rate: 51%
Total Enrollment: 8,398
Undergrad Students: 6,552
Graduate Students: 1,846
Grads Salary: $65,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

45

Midwestern State University

Score: 67.3

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,310
- Out-of-State: $12,260
Net Price: $11,361
Acceptance Rate: 92%
Retention Rate: 63%

Graduation Rate: 41%
Total Enrollment: 5,784
Undergrad Students: 4,818
Graduate Students: 966
Grads Salary: $81,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

46

University of New Orleans

Score: 66.56

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,172
- Out-of-State: $14,008
Net Price: $11,508
Acceptance Rate: 70%
Retention Rate: 61%

Graduation Rate: 38%
Total Enrollment: 7,111
Undergrad Students: 5,804
Graduate Students: 1,307
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

47

Florida A&M University

Score: 66.19

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,785
- Out-of-State: $17,725
Net Price: $11,583
Acceptance Rate: 33%
Retention Rate: 90%

Graduation Rate: 60%
Total Enrollment: 9,215
Undergrad Students: 7,709
Graduate Students: 1,506
Grads Salary: $74,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

48

Texas Woman's University

Score: 65.69

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,648
- Out-of-State: $18,720
Net Price: $11,682
Acceptance Rate: 94%
Retention Rate: 73%

Graduation Rate: 48%
Total Enrollment: 15,958
Undergrad Students: 10,153
Graduate Students: 5,805
Grads Salary: $72,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

49

University of Illinois Springfield

Score: 65.44

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,252
- Out-of-State: $22,017
Net Price: $11,733
Acceptance Rate: 82%
Retention Rate: 76%

Graduation Rate: 53%
Total Enrollment: 4,198
Undergrad Students: 2,393
Graduate Students: 1,805
Grads Salary: $75,000
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

50

University of Florida

Score: 65.4

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,381
- Out-of-State: $28,659
Net Price: $11,740
Acceptance Rate: 23%
Retention Rate: 97%

Graduation Rate: 90%
Total Enrollment: 55,211
Undergrad Students: 34,552
Graduate Students: 20,659
Grads Salary: $79,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

Get Matched With Online Mental Health Counseling Schools

Why a Degree from an Affordable Mental Health Counseling Program?

Debt is one of the biggest factors in choosing an affordable mental health degree. It can take up to 30 years to repay any student loan for many people. As such, the price tag on many mental health degrees is too expensive for the average person. Rather than putting yourself into debt from which you may never recover, you can consider more affordable mental health degrees. With the money one saves, it will be possible to take more vacations, buy a house sooner, save for the future, support kids or parents, and much more.

Another reason people prefer mental health degrees that are affordable is for the flexibility of these programs. Many affordable mental health programs are tailored to the needs of individuals with full-time jobs or full-time responsibilities outside of the classroom. Students at affordable colleges and universities can select between any type of learning platform, from online to in-person.

And a lower price tag can also equate to greater educational opportunities in the long run. If one selects a more affordable degree, it will be easier to pursue higher degrees in the future. Many mental health careers require at least a master’s degree. By choosing less expensive degrees, it will make it more affordable to continue one’s education after an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree.

Choosing an Affordable Counseling College

Today, exceptional education is available at both expensive and affordable higher education institutions. It’s important to note that the cost of a mental health degree is not necessarily reflective of the quality of education one will receive. Many less expensive colleges and universities offer quality education equal to, or better than, more expensive schools. However, other affordable programs may have lower standards. As such, it’s essential to consider a number of additional factors.

The accreditation of a college or university with mental health counseling degrees should be one of the most critical components in the decision-making process. Be sure to select an affordable mental health program from a regionally accredited college or university whenever possible. This type of accreditation is held in the highest regard by employers throughout the country. A regional accreditation demonstrates to others that the level of education requirements those colleges or universities are held to a higher standard than those with national accreditation or no accreditation.

If someone is truly interested in saving money on tuition, be sure to consider in-state, public schools over out-of-state or private school alternatives. Out-of-state and private colleges and universities can cost more than $40,000 a year. The general differences in educational offerings are typically not seen as enough to make up for the inflated price tags. For the best savings, choose a community college to complete prerequisite courses and then transfer to a four-year school if you’re looking for a degree from a well-known institution.

When choosing a four-year higher learning institution, don’t forget to consider affordable online mental health degrees. Many colleges and universities are eager to expand their student body base. As a result, they offer highly competitive online degree rates. Keep in mind, however, that other schools are charging more for online degrees. These colleges and universities might even charge out-of-state tuition to students choosing online degree programs who are not considered to be local residents. Be careful of these more expensive online degree tactics.

Online Options

With the help of advancements in telehealth and telehealth legislation, online mental health degrees are rapidly growing in popularity. It’s possible to find affordable online mental health associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and even PhDs or doctorates. And, because most careers in this type of medical field do not require hands-on medical practice, many students are choosing to complete relevant mental health work experience while completing degrees online.

At the associate degree level, students learn the core fundamentals relating to all future mental health careers. Students can choose to gain work experience while completing an online degree. One might consider working as a counselor’s assistant, looking for basic internships in mental health fields or just start working with people in any area possible.

An affordable online bachelor’s degree or master’s degree is often the minimum requirement for full careers and licensure in mental health. These higher degree levels prepare students for dealing with more serious crises in any number of areas such as marriage, sobriety, addiction, grief, and many others. While online doctorates and PhDs are also available, these degrees may require at least some work experience hours to be completed in-person with actual patients.

Online mental health programs are becoming more important with the ever-expanding area of telehealth. As the general population has a greater interest in completing mental health treatment in the comfort and privacy of their own home, the more essential it will be for mental health professionals to be able to effectively perform through a digital platform.

For those who are resistant to online learning, or for those who are simply more comfortable with in-person classes, many online mental health degrees also offer the option of hybrid learning or in-person courses to meet the needs of everyone. These offerings change regularly, so be sure to check each semester.

Are Mental Health Counseling Programs in High Demand?

Both mental health programs and mental health professionals are in high demand. The areas in which people can become employed with a mental health degree and the employers in search of mental health professionals expand each year. The overall field is expected to grow by up to 30% through 2029, as per the Bureau of Labor statistics (BLS). However, each specialization and each state will have different growth rate projections.

The fields of behavioral disorder, mental health, and substance abuse counseling are expected to experience a growth rate of 25%. This growth can be directly linked to an increasing number of states that are seeking counseling services and treatment options as alternatives to serving jail sentences. These areas also experience growth as more military veterans seek out assistance with substance misuse and mental health challenges.

Another reason these fields are growing is for the simple fact that mental health services are now more widely available through telehealth. This online form of mental health assistance allows people in rural areas to seek treatment when it was previously unavailable. It also allows people who have busy schedules to seek help from home, and it allows for individuals who might be too anxious or embarrassed to meet with someone in person to reach out for assistance.

Find Your Mental Health Counseling Program

What Can You Do with a Degree in Mental Health Counseling?

The fields and areas in which one is able to work as a mental health professional are quite extensive. With a mental health degree, it’s possible to work in a number of areas throughout a community, both in-person and remotely. Many people choose to work in home health or home care as these areas increase in demand due to a rapidly aging population in the US. Another wildly growing area is that of health and wellness. Each year, more and more people want to live healthier lives and become better versions of themselves. It’s also possible to work in community health or public health and many people pursue jobs in occupational health and others.

Employer types will often depend greatly on the area of mental health one pursues and the level of degree one completes. Many people will choose to work within the medical field in one way or another for various employers such as community mental health centers, residential mental health facilities, outpatient mental health therapists, private mental health offices, or residential substance misuse facilities. You could also work for public employers in a number of areas, such as social work. Retirement communities also offer on-site mental health professionals at a growing rate. The same is true for corporations. The employer options today are nearly endless as the country embraces the need for better mental health care in every aspect of one’s life.

Some people prefer to work with specific ages or mental health conditions. For instance, you could choose to work exclusively with children, teens, adults, the LGBTQ+ community, married couples, individuals with sexual concerns, addicts, people with ADHD, and others. Whether a person chooses to become a therapist, counselor, clinician, technician, or general mental health worker, the options grow with each passing day.

Counseling Graduates Earn More After College

Salary expectations for mental health professionals will be different for everyone and be influenced by a number of varying factors. For individuals who seek out counseling careers in mental health, behavioral disorders and substance abuse, the median pay was just over $47,500 in 2020. Professionals could expect to earn closer to $30,500 for those with less experience, lower degrees, and in more rural or less affluent areas of the country. Individuals with higher degrees, more experience, and those working for top employers can expect to earn closer to $80,000 a year.

Employer type will have a tremendous influence on salary, as well. Substance abuse and residential mental health facilities typically pay a bit less than other employers, with a median salary of over $40,500 in 2020. Outpatient mental health providers, substance abuse centers, and individual and family services pay a bit more at a rate between $46,00 and $47,500. For those looking to make the most in this field, consider working for any type of hospital, the government, corporations, or private practice. These employers pay around $50,500 and well beyond.

FAQs

What are the admission requirements for mental health degree students?
The admission requirements for mental health degrees will depend on the level of degree. Associate degree and bachelor’s degree programs will often have a minimum GPA threshold for admittance. For transfer students and master’s degree applicants, specific courses might be required. And for a master’s, PhD, or a doctorate, it will likely be necessary to meet a GPA standard and to successfully complete a graduate school exam.
What are the requirements of mental health programs?
Mental health programs may also have specific requirements to graduate. The core courses typically cover the subject matter most relevant to one’s future in mental health. As such, a program may require that a student completes each of these courses with a specific letter grade. For some programs, this might be a C or the equivalent. Other programs may have higher standards or incorporate a weighted average system.
What kinds of supervised hours can you expect to need in a mental health degree program?
Supervised hour requirements will vary by degree, specialization, and, most importantly, state laws. If a person is interested in becoming a mental health counselor, one is required to complete thousands of supervised hours, usually 2,000 to 3,000. Each state has a unique set of requirements, and the state may also incorporate a specific time frame during which the hours must be completed.
What type of accreditation should mental health degree students be looking for?
Regional accreditation is essential for mental health degrees. Most states may not include nationally accredited schools on their list of approved mental health degree programs. This type of accreditation will also influence the type of employer for which one can work and the amount of money one can earn over a lifetime. And a degree from a nationally accredited college or university may not be permitted if one wishes to complete a graduate program from a regionally accredited higher learning institution. Once again, each situation will vary.
How long will it take to complete a mental health degree?
The time it takes to complete a mental health degree will be different for each degree level, each school, and each person. Someone who is able to complete courses on a full-time basis might finish an associate degree in two years, a bachelor’s degree in five years, a master’s degree in two years, and a PhD or doctorate in five years. Each person and circumstance will be unique. Some people will complete degrees in less time while others will take longer.

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