Most Affordable Online School Counseling Programs (2026)
Valdosta State University is the most affordable online school counseling program on this list at $18,540 in total tuition, followed by Fort Hays State at $22,482. The 12 CACREP-accredited programs we ranked run from $18,540 to $49,500 before fees. Confirm current rates with each university before you apply.
Dana is comparing two online school counseling programs. Both are CACREP-accredited. Both are taught online. One costs $18,540 in total tuition for an out-of-state student. The other costs $49,500. Those are the real ends of this list, and the gap between them is $30,960 before a single fee is added.
This page ranks the 12 most affordable CACREP-accredited online programs by what they cost. Every one comes in at $50,000 or less. It’s a cost list, not a quality ranking. A cheaper program isn’t a worse one, and a pricier one isn’t automatically better. Use price as one filter, alongside licensure fit, delivery format, and how each program handles your internship.
How Much Does an Online School Counseling Degree Cost?
Across the programs we ranked, total tuition runs from $18,540 to $49,500. The middle of the list sits near $35,100. Eight of the 12 come in under $40,000, and all eight are public universities.
Five of those eight charge residents and non-residents the same online rate. They are Valdosta State, Fort Hays State, Marshall, Kansas State and Truman State. That’s why they sit at the top of a list built on the out-of-state price. For an online student, where you live often doesn’t change the bill.
Private programs start higher. All four on this list fall between $42,000 and $49,500, and the least expensive is Butler University at $42,000. Residents of a public university’s state usually pay less than the figures shown, because this list uses the rate an out-of-state student pays.
What This List Leaves Out
Every figure on this page is tuition only. Mandatory, technology, activity and program fees are excluded so programs compare on the same basis. That choice has a side effect. It favors universities that keep tuition low and carry more of the cost in fees, so a program near the top can cost more than its rank suggests. Ask each university for its full fee schedule before you compare.
It also leaves out the most expensive programs. We show online programs priced at $50,000 or less. Five other CACREP-verified online programs cost more than $80,000, and we haven’t listed them here.
Other costs sit outside the tuition number too. Budget for any campus visits or residencies, books, background checks, and the income you may lose if you cut back work hours during your internship.
The Most Affordable Online School Counseling Programs
Programs are ordered by total tuition for an out-of-state online student, lowest first. One program is the exception. The University of Alaska Fairbanks is shown at its resident rate, because the university is ending its nonresident rate. The last column shows how much less each program costs than the average online public or private program. The profiles below the table explain how each figure was set and what to know before you apply.
| Rank | Program | State | Type | Total tuition | Less than average of its type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valdosta State University | GA | Public | $18,540 | $29,454 less |
| 2 | Fort Hays State University | KS | Public | $22,482 | $25,512 less |
| 3 | Northern State University | SD | Public | $29,742 | $18,252 less |
| 4 | Marshall University | WV | Public | $32,880 | $15,114 less |
| 5 | Ohio University | OH | Public | $33,120 | $14,874 less |
| 6 | University of Alaska Fairbanks | AK | Public | $34,620 | $13,374 less |
| 7 | Kansas State University | KS | Public | $35,595 | $12,399 less |
| 8 | Truman State University | MO | Public | $37,680 | $10,314 less |
| 9 | Butler University | IN | Private nonprofit | $42,000 | $17,038 less |
| 10 | Walsh University | OH | Private nonprofit | $47,100 | $11,938 less |
| 11 | St. Bonaventure University | NY | Private nonprofit | $49,500 | $9,538 less |
| 12 | Walden University | MN | Private for-profit | $49,500 | $9,538 less |
CACREP lists three of these programs as Accredited (Progress Report Required): Marshall University, through April 30, 2034. Ohio University, through October 31, 2032. Walden University, through October 31, 2033.
How this ranking was built. Every program here is accredited by CACREP as a School Counseling program, verified against the CACREP register on September 30, 2026, and each one is listed by CACREP as offering online delivery. Any program whose CACREP status shows a teach-out, closure, show-cause or withdrawal is excluded, because a reader cannot reliably enroll in it. Programs are ranked on the total tuition an out-of-state student pays for the online program, using a flat online rate where the university publishes one and the nonresident rate where it doesn’t. This list shows the programs priced at $50,000 or less. The cutoff is an editorial choice, not a finding, and five more CACREP-verified online programs, all above $80,000, are not shown. For public universities this is the out-of-state figure because this is a national list. Residents of that state usually pay less. Tuition figures come from each university’s own website, never from third-party sites, and each was recorded with the page it came from, a quote containing the rate, and the date checked. Mandatory fees are excluded so programs compare on the same basis. Where a university’s published rate has no academic year, is set for a future year, is bundled with fees that cannot be separated, or covers a flat full-time charge rather than a per-credit rate, we use it and say so in the note on that row. Some totals are estimates and are labeled as such, and some rank on a prior academic year because that is the only rate published. Where the published rate cannot be tied to this specific program, the program is held off the ranking rather than estimated. Scholarships and discounts are not applied. Tuition changes, so confirm the current rate with the university before you enroll, and remember that CACREP accreditation is not the same as state approval: check your own state’s requirements.
How the average comparison works. Each program’s total is compared with the average total of online programs of the same type, public or private. The averages cover all 17 CACREP-verified online programs we rank, including five priced above $80,000 that aren’t on this list, so they sit higher than an average of the programs shown. The public average is $47,994 across 11 programs. The private average is $59,038 across 6 programs, nonprofit and for-profit together. Every figure uses the basis described above, including the University of Alaska Fairbanks at its resident rate. The comparison shows where a price sits among online programs. It doesn’t measure quality, and the averages move whenever a university changes its rate.
Program Profiles
Profiles follow the table in rank order. Each opens with the total tuition and how much less it is than the average online public or private program. Then it names the student the program fits best and covers delivery and what to check before you apply. Where a detail is credited to the university, it comes from the university’s own program pages, not from CACREP.
1. Valdosta State University: School Counseling (M.Ed.)
Total tuition: $18,540
Versus the average online public program: $29,454 less than the $47,994 average (11 public programs on this list)
Best for: Students who want the lowest total tuition on this list, wherever they live
Location: Valdosta, GA | Type: Public
Format: Online (CACREP-confirmed)
CACREP: Accredited through April 30, 2033 (graduates counted since 2007)
Cost note: This figure is the university’s published 2026-27 rate. Valdosta State takes part in SARA, but whether this program meets licensure requirements varies by state. Applicants in some states sign an attestation before enrolling. Confirm the current cost with the university before you enroll.
Valdosta State wins on price because of how Georgia bills online students. The University System of Georgia’s graduate eTuition rate applies to every online student, whether they live in Georgia or not. A student in another state pays what a student in Valdosta pays.
A low price only helps if the degree holds up, so check accreditation first.
Good to know: SARA covers where a university can offer online programs. It doesn’t decide whether the degree meets your state’s school counselor requirements. Check your state’s certification rules first, then find out how the program handles internship placement for students outside Georgia. Our Georgia school counselor certification requirements guide covers the Georgia side.
2. Fort Hays State University: School Counseling (M.S.)
Total tuition: $22,482
Versus the average online public program: $25,512 less than the $47,994 average (11 public programs on this list)
Best for: Working adults who want a low, predictable online price
Location: Hays, KS | Type: Public
Format: Online (CACREP-confirmed)
CACREP: Accredited through March 31, 2029 (graduates counted since 2019)
Cost note: This figure is the university’s published 2026-27 rate. Confirm the current cost with the university before you enroll.
Fort Hays State describes its Master of Science in Counseling (School Counseling) as online coursework that prepares graduates for Kansas school counselor licensure through the Kansas State Department of Education. The Kansas pathway includes the Praxis Professional School Counselor exam. Requirements and required exams in other states vary.
The FHSU Online rate applies to Kansas residents and online-only non-residents alike, so students from any state pay the same price. That makes it the second-lowest total on the list.
Good to know: Fees aren’t in the total. FHSU says it hasn’t determined whether the program meets another state’s requirements, except Kansas. If you live elsewhere, check your own state’s rules and find out how internship placement works.
3. Northern State University: School Counseling (M.S.Ed.)
Total tuition: $29,742
Versus the average online public program: $18,252 less than the $47,994 average (11 public programs on this list)
Best for: Students who want a flexible format and an online rate under $30,000
Location: Aberdeen, SD | Type: Public
Format: Online (CACREP-confirmed). The university offers the program in a HyFlex format.
CACREP: Accredited through April 30, 2034 (graduates counted since 2016)
Cost note: This figure is the university’s published 2026-27 rate. Confirm the current cost with the university before you enroll.
Northern State publishes two non-resident rates for graduate study. On campus, non-residents pay $655.55 per credit. Under the university’s off-campus heading, the rate is a flat $495.70. This list uses the off-campus rate, so confirm which one your enrollment would use. The university estimates the program takes about two years.
Good to know: A counseling discipline fee of $26.85 per credit isn’t in the total. HyFlex can mean different things, so find out how online students take part and whether any sessions require you to attend live or on campus.
4. Marshall University: School Counseling (M.A.)
Total tuition: $32,880
Versus the average online public program: $15,114 less than the $47,994 average (11 public programs on this list)
Best for: Working adults who want live evening classes and no GRE
Location: South Charleston, WV | Type: Public
Format: Online (CACREP-confirmed), with live evening sessions per the university
CACREP: Accredited (Progress Report Required), through April 30, 2034 (graduates counted since 2016)
Cost note: This figure is the university’s published 2026-27 rate. Marshall’s own program page still shows an October 2025 expiry. CACREP’s register has renewed this program through April 30, 2034. Confirm the current cost with the university before you enroll.
Marshall says its evening classes include live sessions so students stay in regular contact with core faculty. The university doesn’t require the GRE. Applicants submit a writing sample, a video personal statement and two recommendation forms.
The price is Marshall’s online graduate rate, $548 per credit, and it applies to students designated as Marshall Online. The university also says graduates of its School Counseling emphasis are eligible to apply for both the LPC-WV license and school counseling certification.
Good to know: A college program fee is billed separately and isn’t in the total. Eligible to apply isn’t the same as licensed. Each credential comes from a different agency, and West Virginia’s agencies make those decisions.
5. Ohio University: School Counseling (M.Ed.)
Total tuition: $33,120
Versus the average online public program: $14,874 less than the $47,994 average (11 public programs on this list)
Best for: Career changers and K-12 professionals who want an online program from a long-established school
Location: Athens, OH | Type: Public
Format: Online (CACREP-confirmed)
CACREP: Accredited (Progress Report Required), through October 31, 2032 (graduates counted since 1985)
Cost note: Contact the program for its current cost.
Ohio University opens its online school counseling track to anyone with a bachelor’s degree, in any discipline. That includes K-12 professionals who want to advance or change careers. The university designed it for working professionals. Most students finish in six to seven semesters, and the program admits students for spring and summer entry.
Where you live barely changes the price. Ohio’s online graduate tuition is $530 per credit for residents, and out-of-state students pay $552 once a $22 non-resident fee is added. This is also the longest CACREP record on the list. The university offers a combined clinical mental health and school counseling program too.
Good to know: Program-specific fees may apply, so request the OHIO Online fee list. The cost note says to contact the program, so get the current figure in writing.
6. University of Alaska Fairbanks: School Counseling (M.Ed.)
Total tuition: $34,620
Versus the average online public program: $13,374 less than the $47,994 average (11 public programs on this list)
Best for: Students who want Alaska’s resident-rate pricing as the university phases out nonresident tuition
Location: Fairbanks, AK | Type: Public
Format: Online (CACREP-confirmed)
CACREP: Accredited through April 30, 2034 (graduates counted since 2016)
Cost note: This figure is the university’s published 2026-27 rate. The figure shown is the resident rate, not the out-of-state rate, because the university is ending its nonresident rate. Students entering in 2026-27 pay a year-one surcharge. Confirm the current cost with the university before you enroll.
The figure here is the resident rate, not the out-of-state rate. The university is ending its nonresident rate, which is why we show the resident price. If you enter in 2026-27, your first year costs more than the total suggests because of the surcharge.
The program admits students twice a year, for fall and spring, according to the university.
Good to know: Your first year costs more than the total suggests, so get that number in writing. If you live outside Alaska, find out how internship placement works.
7. Kansas State University: School Counseling (Ed.S.)
Total tuition: $35,595
Versus the average online public program: $12,399 less than the $47,994 average (11 public programs on this list)
Best for: Students ready to earn an Education Specialist degree who want one online rate
Location: Manhattan, KS | Type: Public
Format: Online (CACREP-confirmed)
CACREP: Accredited through October 31, 2032 (graduates counted since 1999)
Cost note: This figure is the university’s published 2026-27 rate. This total has not been fully verified against the program’s own cost page. This program awards an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree rather than a master’s. Check that your state accepts it for school counselor certification. Confirm the current cost with the university before you enroll.
This is the only program on the list that awards an Ed.S. instead of a master’s. That can be a plus or a hurdle, depending on your state’s rules and your background. K-State Online’s graduate rate applies to residents and non-residents alike, so the price doesn’t change with your address.
Good to know: Confirm that your state accepts an Ed.S. for school counselor certification, and check what the program requires for admission. The cost note says the total hasn’t been fully verified, so request a current estimate.
8. Truman State University: School Counseling (M.A.)
Total tuition: $37,680
Versus the average online public program: $10,314 less than the $47,994 average (11 public programs on this list)
Best for: Students who want one online rate from a public university at under $40,000
Location: Kirksville, MO | Type: Public
Format: Online (CACREP-confirmed)
CACREP: Accredited through March 31, 2033 (graduates counted since 2023)
Cost note: This figure is the university’s published 2025-26 rate. A newer rate may now be published. Confirm the current cost with the university before you enroll.
Truman publishes a single online rate for its counseling M.A., and it applies whatever your residency. Students choose a school counseling or a mental health counseling option within the degree.
Good to know: This total uses Truman’s 2025-26 rate, while most programs here are priced on 2026-27. The 2026-27 figure may differ, so get it before you compare.
9. Butler University: School Counseling (M.Ed.)
Total tuition: $42,000
Versus the average online private program: $17,038 less than the $59,038 average (6 private programs on this list)
Best for: Students who want the lowest-priced private option, with no GRE and no prerequisite coursework
Location: Indianapolis, IN | Type: Private nonprofit
Format: Online (CACREP-confirmed)
CACREP: Accredited through October 31, 2030 (graduates counted since 1997)
Cost note: This figure is the university’s published 2025-26 rate. A newer rate may now be published. Confirm the current cost with the university before you enroll.
At $42,000, Butler is the least expensive private university on this list and the first private program in the ranking. Its cost table lists the online school counseling program at $700 per credit hour. The university says the GRE isn’t required and that no prerequisite coursework is needed. Butler describes the program as online coursework with preparation for licensure.
Good to know: This is a 2025-26 rate, so check Butler’s current table. Butler’s aid options aren’t reflected here. Find out what’s available before you rule a private program out.
10. Walsh University: School Counseling (M.A.)
Total tuition: $47,100
Versus the average online private program: $11,938 less than the $59,038 average (6 private programs on this list)
Best for: Working adults who want frequent start dates and no campus visits
Location: North Canton, OH | Type: Private nonprofit
Format: Online (CACREP-confirmed). The university says no on-campus visits are required.
CACREP: Accredited through October 31, 2031 (graduates counted since 2005)
Cost note: This figure is the university’s published 2026-27 rate. This total is an estimate. Confirm the current cost with the university before you enroll.
Walsh says it runs five starts a year, so you don’t wait long to begin. The university says coursework is online with no required campus visits. The program takes just over three years part-time and includes 100 practicum hours and 600 internship hours.
Walsh also offers a dual specialization, so students can complete clinical mental health counseling and school counseling together. Its published rates carry a 25% alumni discount that isn’t applied to the total shown here.
Good to know: The timeline and hours above describe school counseling alone, and a dual route would change both cost and time. Walsh labels its rates as estimates, so request a current bill.
11. St. Bonaventure University: School Counseling (M.S.Ed.)
Total tuition: $49,500
Versus the average online private program: $9,538 less than the $59,038 average (6 private programs on this list)
Best for: Career changers who want no GRE and a stated total price
Location: St. Bonaventure, NY | Type: Private nonprofit
Format: Online (CACREP-confirmed)
CACREP: Accredited through October 31, 2032 (graduates counted since 2007)
Cost note: The university’s rate page does not state an academic year. This total has not been fully verified against the program’s own cost page. Confirm the current cost with the university before you enroll.
St. Bonaventure states its price plainly. The university gives a per-credit rate and says the total for the program is $49,500, excluding fees. It also says no GRE or GMAT is required.
The program page lists 100 practicum hours and 600 internship hours and mentions practicum and internship site support.
Good to know: A comprehensive fee of $30 per credit isn’t in the total. Find out what site support means in practice, and whether the program finds your placement or you do.
12. Walden University: School Counseling (M.S.)
Total tuition: $49,500
Versus the average online private program: $9,538 less than the $59,038 average (6 private programs on this list)
Best for: Working professionals who want rolling start dates
Location: Minneapolis, MN | Type: Private for-profit
Format: Online, low-residency (CACREP-confirmed). The university requires in-person field experience.
CACREP: Accredited (Progress Report Required), through October 31, 2033 (graduates counted since 2015)
Cost note: This rate took effect on February 23, 2026 and the page does not state an academic year. This figure is for the General Program at 90 credits. Specializations require 105 credits, so they cost more. Confirm the current cost with the university before you enroll.
Walden says its counseling coursework is online with rolling start dates through the year, and that field experience happens in person. Tuition is $550 per quarter hour.
Walden also offers a dual degree that combines a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with the school counseling M.S.
Good to know: The total above covers the General Program only, so get the total for the path you’d take, including the dual degree. Walden is a private for-profit university. Compare it with public and nonprofit options on total cost, and confirm your state accepts the degree for certification.
What to Check Before You Enroll
Online coursework still has live components
“Online” describes how you take classes. It doesn’t mean every requirement is self-paced. CACREP requires at least two synchronous experiences for students entering on or after July 1, 2026, including one before practicum. Those sessions can be held digitally or in person, but they’re scheduled and live. Ask each program whether it also requires campus visits or residencies, and what they’d cost you in travel and time off.
CACREP accreditation isn’t state approval
A CACREP-accredited program meets the accrediting body’s standards. It doesn’t guarantee that your state’s education or educator certification agency will accept the degree. Valdosta State’s note on the list shows how this plays out. The program takes part in SARA, but whether it meets licensure requirements varies by state, and applicants in some states sign an attestation before enrolling. Check your state’s school counselor certification rules before you pay a deposit, and confirm any program’s current status in the CACREP directory.
Your internship won’t be online
The supervised internship takes place in a real school, and it usually has to be completed during the school day. Ask each program how its students arrange that alongside a job, and whether it helps with placement in your district. Here’s what a school counselor internship involves.
Ways to Lower the Cost Further
Sticker price isn’t always what you pay. Three places to start:
- District support: Ask whether your district offers tuition reimbursement or support for staff moving into counseling roles.
- Assistantships: Check each program’s page for graduate assistantships.
- FAFSA: File it, since federal loan eligibility is often the first thing a financial aid office asks about.
Our guide to paying for a school counseling master’s degree covers the options in more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the cheapest online school counseling programs accredited?
Every program on this list is accredited by CACREP as a School Counseling program, verified against the CACREP register on September 30, 2026. Price doesn’t change that. Accreditation isn’t the same as state approval, though, so confirm your state’s requirements separately.
Do online students pay in-state tuition?
It depends on the university. Some charge one online rate to everyone. Others charge out-of-state online students the nonresident rate. This list uses the out-of-state basis, so residents of a public university’s state may pay less than the figure shown. University of Alaska Fairbanks is the exception, shown at its resident rate.
Is an online school counseling degree cheaper than a campus one?
Not automatically. Northern State, for example, publishes a lower per-credit rate under its off-campus heading than its on-campus nonresident rate. Other universities charge the same rate either way. Check the rate for the delivery format you’ll actually use.
Can I become certified in my state with an online degree?
Often, but it varies. Certification is decided by your state’s education or educator certification agency, not by the program. Look up your state’s requirements before you enroll, and ask the program how it supports students in your state.
- Lowest cost on this list: Valdosta State University at $18,540 in total tuition, followed by Fort Hays State at $22,482.
- Public programs lead on price: All eight programs under $40,000 are public, and the four private programs run from $42,000 to $49,500.
- Fees aren’t included: Tuition only. Ask for each university’s full fee schedule before you compare.
- Accreditation isn’t state approval: Confirm that your state accepts the degree before you enroll.
If you’re comparing master’s programs, start with the state where you plan to practice. Licensing requirements vary, and your program should line up with your state’s credentialing process before you enroll.
