Best Online Counseling Programs for 2025

Counseling degrees can lead to professional licensure and a career helping others. Explore the best online counseling degrees and how to choose between them.
By
Edited by
Reviewed by
Our Integrity Network

This site is committed to delivering content that is objective and actionable. To that end, we have built a network of industry professionals across higher education to review our content and ensure we are providing the most helpful information to our readers.


Drawing on their firsthand industry expertise, our Integrity Network members serve as an additional step in our editing process, helping us confirm our content is accurate and up to date. These contributors:


  • Suggest changes to inaccurate or misleading information.
  • Provide specific, corrective feedback.
  • Identify critical information that writers may have missed.

Integrity Network members typically work full time in their industry profession and review content for Psychology.org as a side project. All Integrity Network members are paid members of the Red Ventures Education Integrity Network.


Explore our full list of Integrity Network members.

Published April 23, 2025

Why Psycholology.org?

The Psychology.org team includes writers, editors, and contributing psychology students and professionals dedicated to helping you navigate the field. We follow a strict editorial and review process to ensure our content is up-to-date, factual, and relevant. Learn more aboutour editorial process.

Interested in becoming a counselor? A graduate degree is one step toward this career path. Explore the best online counseling programs, how to choose one, and what to expect.

Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site
Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site
Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site

Best Online Counseling Programs

We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.
#1

Campbellsville University

  • Campbellsville, KY
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online

56%

Online Enrollment

Yes

Accreditation

78%

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Graduation Rate
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,904

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$8,904

Retention Rate

60%

Students Enrolled

11,775

Institution Type

Private

#2

Lebanon Valley College

  • Annville, PA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online

21%

Online Enrollment

Yes

Accreditation

77%

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Graduation Rate
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$31,875

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$31,875

Retention Rate

79%

Students Enrolled

2,080

Institution Type

Private

#3

Cameron University

  • Lawton, OK
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online

69%

Online Enrollment

Yes

Accreditation

100%

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Graduation Rate
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$3,762

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$10,476

Retention Rate

66%

Students Enrolled

3,559

Institution Type

Public

#4

Prairie View A & M University

  • Prairie View, TX
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online

55%

Online Enrollment

Yes

Accreditation

74%

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Graduation Rate
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,191

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,353

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

9,248

Institution Type

Public

#5

Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus

  • Portales, NM
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online

84%

Online Enrollment

Yes

Accreditation

28%

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Graduation Rate
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,454

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$7,227

Retention Rate

62%

Students Enrolled

5,106

Institution Type

Public

#6

Bay Path University

  • Longmeadow, MA
  • 4 year
  • Online

78%

Online Enrollment

Yes

Accreditation

76%

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Graduation Rate
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$19,235

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,235

Retention Rate

70%

Students Enrolled

2,465

Institution Type

Private

#7

Northwestern College

  • Orange City, IA
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online

39%

Online Enrollment

Yes

Accreditation

87%

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Graduation Rate
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$6,120

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$6,120

Retention Rate

80%

Students Enrolled

1,665

Institution Type

Private

#8

Northwestern University

  • Evanston, IL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online

12%

Online Enrollment

Yes

Accreditation

7%

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Graduation Rate
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$51,869

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$51,869

Retention Rate

97%

Students Enrolled

22,801

Institution Type

Private

#9

Regis College

  • Weston, MA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online

82%

Online Enrollment

Yes

Accreditation

90%

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Graduation Rate
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$24,968

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,968

Retention Rate

81%

Students Enrolled

2,801

Institution Type

Private

#10

Western Michigan University

  • Kalamazoo, MI
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online

62%

Online Enrollment

Yes

Accreditation

85%

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Graduation Rate
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$17,539

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,308

Retention Rate

80%

Students Enrolled

17,559

Institution Type

Public

chevron-down
How We Rank Schools

How to Choose an Online Counseling Program

When reviewing online counseling programs, consider what each school offers and how it meets your learning needs. Here are some factors you might consider:

  • Curriculum: Find a program that features courses, concentrations, and clinical opportunities in your field of interest.
  • Program format: Consider how the program length, delivery mode, and residency requirements fit your schedule.
  • School support: Examine the faculty, staff-to-student ratio, and the support services provided.
  • Admission requirements: Ensure you meet the program’s application and admission requirements. Counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
  • Accreditation: Verify that the school and program have the appropriate institutional and programmatic accreditation.
  • Cost: Weigh the tuition cost against other programs. According to the NCES, the average annual tuition for psychology programs (which includes counseling) was $16,329 for bachelor’s and $13,263 for master’s programs in 2020-21.
  • Affordability: Check out what financial aid opportunities and online learning savings the school offers.

How To Apply To An Online Counseling Program

The application process for an online counseling program varies by school, but they often involve similar steps. Once you’ve selected your schools, confirmed your admission eligibility, and noted the application deadlines, it’s time to start the application process.

  1. 1

    Gather your recommendation letters

    You usually need 2-3 recommendation letters from professors or employers who can speak to your abilities and potential. Give your references as much time (at least one month) and information as possible to write their letters.

  2. 2

    Take the GRE or GMAT (if required)

    Many schools still require standardized test scores and almost all accept them. Official scores take 8-10 days, plus delivery times, so aim to test at least one month before the application deadline.

  3. 3

    Write your purpose statements (if required)

    Your purpose statement should highlight your counseling interests, career goals, and why you’re a strong candidate. Take time to put them together carefully and tailor them to each application.

  4. 4

    Request your transcripts

    Order your undergraduate transcripts and have them sent to the schools you apply to early because the process can take weeks. Most schools offer and accept electronic submissions, but check with the admissions department to confirm.

  5. 5

    Complete the application and pay the fee

    Take your time filling out the application with your personal information and thoughtful answers to any questions. Most schools have an application and/or processing fee that you also need to pay when you submit.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Counseling Programs

Fully online counseling programs feature entirely online lectures, coursework, and in-person clinical requirements. Clinical hours are required to become a licensed counselor and programmatic accreditation, and you can’t properly complete them online. For example, the practicum and internship requirements include several hundred hours of supervised practice in a clinical setting and nearly 300 hours of direct client service.