Top 50 Affordable School Counseling Programs

Choosing an Affordable Counseling College

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Today, affordable counseling colleges and universities do not lack for quality of education. Just because a school costs tens of thousands of dollars does not mean that it necessarily offers a better education. More affordable counseling programs can be just as good and, indeed, they can even be better than those with a high price tag, while in some instances, you do get what you pay for. As such, it’s best to consider a number of factors before selecting your counseling college.

An easy way to eliminate tens of thousands of dollars from a degree program is to choose in-state schools over out-of-state schools. The savings could be as much as $30,000 or more each year. This is also true for public schools versus private schools. Public schools are often a fraction of the price of private schools because they are subsidized by the state in order to create a well-educated workforce that can provide local industries with the professionals they need. And most public schools are often known to have a high-quality education.

Some people can also save money by selecting an online counseling degree rather than in-person programs. Be aware though that some higher learning institutions are beginning to charge equal amounts or lower for online school counseling degrees. Other schools encourage online students from all over the country by offering online degrees at lower rates. This will vary by program. Also, be aware that some schools will charge out-of-state tuition rates for non-resident students who enroll in online programs. And some parts of a counseling degree cannot be completed in an online format anyway, so that’s important to keep in mind.

Accreditation is another important aspect to consider before making a final decision. Employers typically do not care about the cost of a degree; however, they do care whether or not it’s regionally accredited. A bachelor’s degree in counseling from a regionally accredited school is essential to being accepted into a master’s degree in counseling program. You might also consider the graduation rate, retention rate, job placement rate, and other aspects before applying to a certain school.

Online Options

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Online counseling degrees are widely available, particularly at the bachelor’s degree level. Many online courses are perfectly appropriate for distance learning. At the undergraduate level, most degrees will be available in psychology with a counseling emphasis, counseling and community psychology, mental health and psychology, a bachelor’s degree in counseling, or others. The program’s title will depend on the school.

You can apply for in-person courses or a hybrid of both in-person and online counseling degree courses. This provides some flexibility for those with busy lives outside of the classroom. Hybrid programs are the more common option when it comes to a master’s degree in counseling. These degrees require between hundreds and thousands of hours of supervised training. As a result, these supervised hours are in-person. However, it is possible to complete some hours through online counseling sessions with some programs.

Other programs require counseling sessions to be completed both online and in person. This is to remain in line with the current climate today of some people feeling more comfortable with in-person counseling and other people preferring video group sessions and online one-on-one sessions.

Are Counseling Programs in High Demand?

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A greater understanding and acceptance of the importance of mental health has counseling programs skyrocketing in demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that nearly every counseling field will experience growth through 2029. The amount of growth is entirely dependent on the specialization of the field. Some sectors will grow more than others. Substance misuse, mental health and behavioral disorders are expected to grow the most at a rate of 25%. This is significantly higher than the average growth rate of all careers.

The rate of growth will also vary by state. Some states have always had a strong counseling presence and acceptance of mental health needs; whereas other states are only just beginning to embrace counseling in a wide array of fields. In states that are more recently opening up to counseling and mental health, growth rates might be higher. Another reason for high growth in these specific areas can be attributed to an increase in the use of counseling and treatment over jail time for various drug offenses in many states. There is also a continued and growing need for military and veteran counselors as these individuals continue to reach out for assistance to get their lives back on track.

Other areas of counseling will also experience growth in the coming years. Rehabilitation counselors are expected to grow by 10% as the population continues to age. School counselors at both the K-12 and college and university levels have an anticipated growth rate of 8% as schools embrace the need for better mental health programs. Career counselors are also expected to grow in these employment areas.

Graduates Earn More After College

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The amount of money a person earns as a counselor each year will depend on several factors. One of the biggest factors will be the type and level of degree a person completes. It’s possible to become a counselor in some states with as little as an associate degree. These positions and degree holders will typically make the least amount of money. They may earn less than $30,000 a year. The earning potential for counselors with a bachelor’s degree is likely to be over $40,000. This could be higher based on the employer, state, and area of interest.

A graduate degree and many years of experience will lead to jobs with the best pay. At this level, individuals can expect to earn over $80,000 a year. Those who work for public K-12 schools and government agencies can expect to earn less than those who work for top-paying employers. These fields often include corporations, private medical facilities, luxury treatment centers, and more.