15 Most Affordable Online School Counseling Degrees for 2024

School counselors are not only a very important professional in the counseling field but are also a vital part of the educational experience. They act as consultants, advocates, navigators, mediators, supporters, and observers. Part of their role is helping students obtain the skills to succeed academically, while the other part of their role is in helping prepare students to have success advancing beyond school and feeling a sense of well-being and a sense of purpose. The role of a school counselor depends on a few different things.

The educational setting where they work plays a large part in what their duties might be. An elementary school counselor, for instance, may meet with parents to discuss the child’s behavioral issues, strengths and weaknesses, or any other special needs the child may have. High school counselors help guide the student towards successfully completing high school and looking forward to life beyond high school. Middle school counselors help students get through the often-difficult years between elementary and high school.

To work as a school counselor, an individual must have a master’s degree and licensure, which is not possible without a master’s degree. Many colleges offer online master’s degree programs. These online programs have become very popular with students because of their convenience and flexibility.

Facts About School Counselor Programs

• Online school counselor programs offer the same curriculum as on-campus programs.
• School counselor programs teach students from five to seven goals of school counseling.
• A school counselor program reaches all students.
• Students from low-income families benefit from having easy access to school counselors
• Students of color benefit more from having access to a school counselor.
• The American School Counselor Association recommends a student to school counselor ratio of 250 to 1.
• The average student-to-school-counselor ratio is 464.1, which is much higher than the recommended ratio.
• Almost 1 in 5 students don’t have access to a school counselor.
• Approximately 11 million high school students have no access to school counselors.
• Black students are more likely than white students to state their school counselor played a major role in their success.

Most Affordable Online School Counseling Degrees

Below you will find a group of the most affordable online school counseling degree programs. We looked at time to graduate and cost per credit to determine if the program could be deemed ‘affordable.’ We also added a bit of extra information about the features of the programs because not all programs are the same.

1. University of Denver – Master of Science in School Counselor

• Requirements: GPA of at least 2.5; official resume; unofficial scholarships of all schools attended; two letters of recommendation; diversity statement; statement of professional goals; and a bachelor’s degree in counseling
• Type of School Counseling program: This 24-month online program includes school counseling courses as well as a 100-hour practicum course and two 300-hour internships. Additionally, students receive 700 hours of both indirect and direct counseling practice. No GRE scores are required. This graduate program prepares students to take the licensing exam.
• Time to graduate: Full-time students can complete this program in two years.
• Cost: $1,070 per credit
• What makes it affordable: The college offers various scholarship, grant, and financial aid services.

2. Colorado Christian University – Master of Arts in School Counseling

• Requirements: Bachelor’s degree; completed application for admission; official transcripts of all schools attended; criminal background check; completed writing sample per essay prompts; current resume; valid driver’s license or state-issues ID; admission interview; GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Type of School Counseling program: This 60-credit online graduate program offers a Christian-based curriculum that prepares students to become Christ-like counselors to students grades K-12. Students must complete this program within six months of admissions.
• Time to graduate: Full-time students can complete the program in 30 months.
• Cost: $557 per credit hour
• What makes it affordable: The school offers grants, education loans, scholarships, and discounted tuition offerings. Students can transfer in 12 graduate credits.

3. Texas A&M International University – Master of Science in School Counseling

• Requirements: Official transcript; English test; entrance exam; high school ranking; completed college program; must be a licensed teacher with two years teaching experience
• Type of School Counseling program: This graduate program teaches licensed teachers how to become school counselors and prepares them to take the state licensing exam. This flexible program requires completion of a 100-hour practicum course and a 300-hour supervised internship. There is no thesis exam.
• Time to graduate: Four years
• Cost: $3,350 in-state; $10,694 out-of-state tuition
• What makes it affordable: Tuition is affordable, and students get credit for life experiences.

4. Capella University – Master of Science in School Counseling

• Requirements: bachelor’s degree from accredited university; official transcript with 3.0 GPA; admission application; two letters of recommendation from professionals; a valid method of ID with photo; a current resume; a 3–6-page essay
• Type of School Counseling program: This 100% online graduate program offers concentrations in addiction treatment and recovery; child and adolescing counseling; and general school counseling. The program offers students practicum courses, internship, and fellowship opportunities to obtain hands-on experience.
• Time to graduate: two years or by completion of 90 credits
• Cost: Tuition is $497 per credit, but tuition may vary by area of specialization.
• What makes it affordable: Students can transfer in credits to save money. Students can also get reduced tuition by applying for the Capella Progress Reward Scholarship.

5. St. Bonaventure- Master of Science in Education with concentration in School Counseling

• Requirements: Bachelor’s degree from accredited college with GPA of at least 2.75; official transcripts from all colleges attended; personal statement; completed online application; two letters of recommendation from professionals; completed interview
• Type of School Counseling program: This online MSED program offers students counselling courses, practicums, and internship opportunities. Of all the graduates, the pass rate and job placement rate is 100%. The school also offers students the opportunity to obtain a advanced certificate in clinical mental health counseling. Students also have the chance to tailor their degree to their educational backgrounds and career goals.
• Time to graduate: Two years or upon completion of 60 credits
• Cost: $825 per credit
• What makes it affordable: The school boasts of having some of the lowest tuition in the nation. It offers students various ways to pay for school and save money through grants, scholarships, loans, graduate assistantships, and employer tuition benefits.

6. Buena Vista University – Master of Science in Education – Professional School Counseling

• Requirements – Bachelor’s degree with GPA of at least 3.50; two professional letters of recommendation; current resume; letter of intent or purpose; and must answer several autobiographical questions. There is no GRE requirement.
• Type of School Counseling program: This graduate program is offered both online and on campus. The online option offers eight-week terms with virtual classes offered one night per week. Students can also complete a four-day residency on campus to enhance their learning. The program prepares students to sit for the state licensing exam.
• Time to graduate: Two years or completion of 48 credit hours.
• Cost: $475 per credit hour
• What makes it affordable: BVU states its goal is to make education affordable and offers students various grants, student loans,

7. Northwestern College – Master of Arts in School Counseling

• Requirements: Official transcripts from all schools attended; must meet GPA requirements; current resume; short essay; and background check. There is no GRE requirement. Students are not required to already have a teaching license.
• Type of School Counseling program: The M.A in School Counseling is a 100% online graduate program that requires completion of 48 credits. The curriculum, which is Christian-based, offers 8-week courses. In addition to courses, students must also complete a 100-hour practicum course working with clients as well as a 600-hour internship.
• Time to graduate: Two years or six semesters
• Cost: $590 per credit
• What makes it affordable: In addition to offering various financial assistance packages, the school also offers students affordable monthly tuition payments.

8. Florida State University – Master of Science in School Counseling

• Requirements: Bachelor’s degree with transcripts and proof of 3.0 GPA; GRE test scores; language proficiency test; personal statement; three letters of recommendation; completed and submitted online application, and current resume
• Type of School Counseling program: This is an online graduate program that prepares students to work as school counselors with students K-12. The program also specializes in teaching students how to work with students in diverse communities. Graduates who complete the program will earn the master’s degree plus a specialist degree.
• Time to graduate: This program can be completed in two years or upon completion of 60 credits.
• Cost: $444.26 per credit hour
• What makes it affordable: Florida State University offers students several student loan, grant, and financial aid packages that help make it a very affordable college to attend.

9. Wake Forest University – Master of Arts in Counseling – School Counseling

• Requirements: Official transcripts; three letters of recommendation; current resume; and letter of purpose of intent; standardized test scores, telephone interview, and essays; Although the GPA requirement is 2.85, students with a 3.9 GPA have a much better chance of acceptance.
• Type of School Counseling Program: This is a graduate program that teaches students about counseling with a focus on school counseling. It offers an extra focus on areas like human growth and development; appraisal; social and cultural foundations; professional orientation; group work; helping relationships; career and lifestyle development; and research and program evaluation. Graduates of this program have a 95% pass rate on the certification exam. Students complete courses as well as internship and practicum experiences.
• Time to graduate: Two years or completion of 60 credit hours.
• Cost: $1217 per credit hour
• What makes it affordable: Wake Forest offers students student loans, scholarships, and grants but also work study and subsidized student loans.

10. University of Wisconsin – Superior – Master of Education in Education – School Counseling

• Requirements: Bachelor’s degree and official transcripts with GPA of at least 3.0; criminal background check; three letters of recommendation; statement of work and professional goals; volunteer work
• Type of School Counseling program: The MSE program at UW is a graduate degree program aimed at teachers and nonteachers. The program offers a track in school. This is a 100% online program that prepares students to sit for the licensing exam, which allows them to work as licensed school counselors in both Wisconsin and Minnesota. Students must complete courses and a supervised internship.
• Time to graduate: 24 months
• Cost: $502 per credit hour; Tuition is the same for in state and out-of-state students.
• What makes it affordable: Students can pay for each course as they take it rather than paying tuition all at once.

11. Grand Canyon University – Master of Education – School Counseling

• Requirements: Students must be at least 16 years old to enroll in GCU but must have a bachelor’s degree to enroll in the master’s degree program. Other requirements include letters of recommendation; professional work experience; current resume; and required GPA.
• Type of School Counseling program: This is an online graduate program that leads to licensure upon completion of all required courses and practical experiences.
• Time to graduate: Two years
• Cost: Tuition is $11,640 per year.
• What makes it affordable: GCU boasts of offering some of the lowest tuition in the nation. It offers students many ways they can save on tuition, including grants; loans; scholarships, and other methods of financial assistance.

12. University of Maryland – Master of Education – School Counseling

• Requirements: Purpose of statement; letters of recommendation; resume; and official transcripts demonstrating GPA
• Type of School Counseling program: The M.Ed. program at UM is a fully online program that prepares students to work as licensed school counselors. Curriculum for this 60-credit hour program includes a 100-hour practicum course and two 300-hour supervised internships. Upon graduation, students can work in urban communities helping students K-12.
• Time to graduate: Two to three years
• Cost: $828 per credit hour
• What makes it affordable: The school offers several financial aid packages to help with the cost of education. Their tuition for in-state students is typically lower than the nation average.

13. University of Southern California – Master of Education – School Counseling

• Requirements: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university; two short answer responses; statement of purpose; ability to communicate verbally and written; and current resume. There is no GPA requirement for this program.
• Type of School Counseling program: This is an online graduate program prepares students for licensure and to work as school counselors. Through coursework, online courses, and fieldwork, students focus on specific areas, including restorative justice, college and career readiness, and trauma informed practice.
• Time to graduate: Two to three years or upon completion of 49 credit units
• Cost: $2,244 per unit
• What makes it affordable: In addition to offering general financial assistance packages, the school also allows full-time students to make affordable monthly tuition payments.

14. University of Massachusetts Global – Master of Education in Counseling

• Requirements: Completed online application; statement of purpose; two letters of recommendation; official transcripts from all colleges attended; updates resume; and must complete a writing and reading sample.
• Type of School Counseling program: This is an online 60-credit graduate program that teaches students how to work with and counsel students of all ages. Students also have the option to pursue an adjustment counseling concentration, which prepares them for certification as a counselor and a school counselor. This is a flexible program that allows students to go part- or full-time.
• Time to graduate: Two years
• Cost: $575 per credit
• What makes it affordable: UM Global offers some of the lowest online tuitions among public universities.

15. Arkansas Tech University – Master of Education in School Counseling and Leadership

• Requirements: Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or a teaching degree. Other requirements include a 3.0 GPA and an approved portfolio.
• Type of School Counseling program: This is a graduate program that prepares students to work as school counselors. Students complete counseling-based courses as well as internships.
• Time to graduate: Typically takes two to three years; Program must be completed within six years of start date.
• Cost: $314.50 per credit hour
• What makes it affordable: The college offers grants, scholarship, loans and several unique financial assistant packages. It also offers a monthly payment plan.