Key Takeaways
Mental health counselors earn a median salary of $59,190, making a master's in counseling a strong path to stable income and meaningful, people-focused work.
Workers with only a bachelor's degree earn about 19% less per week than master's degree holders, which can limit career advancement and long-term earning potential.
Top online counseling programs can prepare you for licensure with flexible schedules, and many offer financial aid and multiple start dates to help you enroll sooner.
The best online counseling programs are licensure-focused, accredited master's degrees that combine flexible online coursework and required clinical training. Choosing the right option for you depends on key factors like cost, format, and available specializations. Use our guide to compare top-ranked programs, and take an important step toward becoming a licensed counselor.
Popular Online Counseling Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top Online Programs in Counseling
How We Identified Top Schools and Programs
Our editorial team reviewed each school and program to identify standout characteristics, prioritizing factors like flexibility, hands-on experience, licensure qualification, and relevance of the curriculum to a career in counseling. We assigned each school a superlative category based on its strengths.
Since many counseling programs share similar course offerings and outcomes, our goal is to support your program selection process by highlighting features that matter to you most.
We verified these school and program facts in November 2025.
How to Choose an Online Counseling Program
Choosing the right online counseling degree program can lead to a rewarding educational experience and a career in mental health. While each person has different priorities when selecting the best fit, it's important to compare factors like accreditation, admission requirements, career relevance, and affordability.
Accreditation
A key factor to consider is whether your chosen school has the proper programmatic accreditation. Anaccredited counseling program meets educational and industry standards. This assessment is based on an independent review by organizations such as the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
Admission Requirements
Doing a thorough review of theadmission requirements can help clarify the application process. Most online counseling degree programs require official transcripts from undergraduate schools attended, entrance exam scores, a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and proof of prerequisite coursework. You may also be asked to submit a resume or curriculum vitae and undergo a criminal background check.
Career Relevance
It's worth the effort to find a program that offers courses and concentrations aligned with your academic interests and career goals. For example, if you want to work with kids, you'll build a strong background in a program that includes concentrations like child development or child psychology.
Flexibility
If you're a busy professional or balancing multiple responsibilities with schoolwork, choose a program that offers the flexibility you need to earn your degree on your own schedule. Many degree programs include part-time courses and asynchronous (recorded) classes that fit into your work life. Additionally, an accelerated curriculum can help you join the workforce in less time.
Cost and Financial Aid
The National Center for Education Statistics reports that the average annual tuition and fees for online master's degrees in health professions and related clinical sciences, including counseling programs, were $13,950 in 2019-2020. Check with your school to see what scholarships, loans, and other forms of financial aid it offers to make your online counseling degree affordable.
How to Apply to an Online Counseling Program
Applying to an online counseling degree program can be an exciting but stressful experience. Anticipating the requirements and application steps can help streamline the process.
Step 1: Request and Gather Recommendation Letters
Step 2: Schedule the Entrance Exam (If Required)
Step 3: Write and Edit Your Admission Statement
Step 4: Request Your Official Transcripts
Step 5: Complete and Submit the Application
Frequently Asked Questions
It may be worth the time, money, and effort to pursue a master's degree in counseling if you aspire to become a licensed counselor or advance your career. Although salaries in this field vary significantly, advancing your education could help you achieve your long-term career goals.
