A low-tuition counseling master's can become an expensive mistake if its coursework, clinical placements, or schedule do not fit your path to Ohio licensure. This guide helps prospective students and career changers compare those trade-offs alongside costs and career prospects. It also accompanies the 2027 Most Affordable Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Ohio, created by the Research.com team of data scientists to help students make an informed choice about programs worth considering. Use it to identify promising options - and the questions to settle before you enroll.
Key findings about Clinical Mental Health Counseling degrees in Ohio
Compare the total cost to finish, not tuition alone: required credits, fees, travel to clinical sites, aid, and time away from work can change which Ohio program is most affordable.
CACREP's 2024 standards set a minimum of 60 semester credits for entry-level clinical mental health counseling programs. Check each degree against the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board's requirements rather than assuming accreditation or graduation grants a license.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a May 2025 national median wage of $59,350 and projected 2025-2035 growth of 18% for the occupation group encompassing substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors. Those figures describe jobs, not guaranteed outcomes for Ohio graduates.
What can I expect from a Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree in Ohio?
Clinical mental health counseling is generally a master's-level route toward providing assessment and counseling for mental health concerns. Students study counseling theory, diagnosis, ethics, research, and treatment planning, then complete supervised practice. In Ohio, the key question is whether a specific degree - and its courses and fieldwork - supports the license you intend to seek through the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board.
A clinical mental health counseling degree is a sensible investment if you want the counseling scope of practice and can accommodate supervised training followed by the additional steps toward independent practice. It is a poorer fit if you primarily want to teach in schools, practice social work, prescribe medication, or enter a clinical job immediately after a short certificate. Those goals may call for different degrees and licenses.
Program names vary: an M.A., M.S., or M.S. Ed. may contain a clinical mental health counseling pathway. The letters after the degree name matter less than its required curriculum, clinical training, accreditation status, and documented relationship to Ohio's licensing rules (Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board; CACREP).
Where can I work with a Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree in Ohio?
Potential settings include community mental health agencies, hospitals, outpatient clinics, substance-use treatment organizations, integrated primary care, and - once the appropriate independent license is obtained - private practice. Employers and permitted duties depend on the position and the counselor's Ohio license, not simply possession of the master's degree (Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board).
Location affects the search. A student in the Columbus, Cleveland, or Cincinnati areas may have a different selection of placement sites and prospective employers than someone planning to remain in a smaller community. Ask programs where recent students completed supervised placements, whether sites are available near your home, and what travel or scheduling those placements required. A cheaper program is not necessarily cheaper to complete if its clinical sites require a long commute.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a $59,350 national median annual wage in May 2025 for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors. This occupational category is broader than clinical mental health counseling graduates, and a national median is not an Ohio starting salary. Actual pay depends on the role, setting, location, experience, and license held (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook).
Use that figure as context when evaluating debt, not as projected personal income. For a more useful comparison, request each school's program-specific completion and employment information, identify jobs you could pursue at the license level available after graduation, and compare their posted pay with your current earnings. Independent practice may expand options later, but it requires meeting separate Ohio requirements (Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board).
Ohio programs differ in degree structure, academic setting, and how clearly they describe a clinical mental health pathway. The distinctions below help you decide which programs merit a closer cost and licensure review; they are not claims that one school produces better outcomes than another. Program details and requirements should be reconfirmed directly with each institution.
Ohio State University: Its clinical mental health counseling route is an M.A. in Educational Studies within counselor education. Students comparing degree titles should look past the "Educational Studies" label and examine the clinical mental health curriculum and Ohio licensure documentation (Ohio State University, program page).
Youngstown State University: Counseling is presented within a Master of Science in Education in the graduate catalog. That catalog structure makes the specific counseling pathway and its required courses especially important to check if you are comparing it with degrees explicitly titled clinical mental health counseling (Youngstown State University, graduate catalog).
University of Akron: The university maintains a dedicated clinical mental health counseling master's program page. For students comparing counseling pathways, that program-specific description is a useful starting point for confirming its current curriculum and supervised-practice requirements (University of Akron, program page).
Ashland University: Its M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is offered through Ashland Theological Seminary. That academic setting is a meaningful fit consideration: ask how the curriculum approaches clinical practice, ethics, and the role of faith in counseling before deciding whether it matches your goals (Ashland Theological Seminary, program page).
Heidelberg University: The university presents a Master of Arts in Counseling rather than relying on a clinical-specialty degree title alone. Confirm the particular pathway, required clinical courses, and field placement arrangements you would enter (Heidelberg University, program page).
Wright State University: Clinical mental health is identified as a concentration within its M.S. in Counseling, housed in a health, education, and human services college. Compare the concentration's required courses - not the general M.S. title - against Ohio's educational requirements (Wright State University, program page).
Xavier University: Its program is explicitly identified as clinical mental health counseling. That makes the intended field clear, but applicants should still request the current course sequence, placement process, and total program price rather than treating the title as evidence of licensure eligibility (Xavier University, program page).
University of Dayton: The clinical mental health counseling pathway awards an M.S. Ed. Students weighing it against M.A. or M.S. options should compare the actual counseling curriculum and clinical requirements rather than assume the education-degree designation leads to school counseling (University of Dayton, program page).
Franciscan University of Steubenville: Its master's program is situated at a Catholic university. Applicants who value that environment should still establish how clinical training, ethical practice, and Ohio licensure preparation are handled in the program (Franciscan University of Steubenville, program page).
Capital University: Its graduate bulletin sets out the program in a formal catalog entry. Use the current bulletin and an adviser's written guidance to map required courses and any permitted prior graduate credit before comparing its completion cost with less expensive-looking alternatives (Capital University, graduate bulletin).
These are different starting points for investigation, not substitutes for current program disclosures. If a school publishes completion, exam, placement, or cost figures, check the reporting period and whether they describe this specific program before comparing them with another institution's figures.
A full-time clinical mental health counseling master's commonly takes about two to three years; part-time study can take longer. The schedule depends on the school's course sequence, whether courses run in summer, and when practicum and internship slots are available. CACREP's 2024 entry-level clinical mental health counseling standards require at least 60 semester credits, but a school's current catalog - not that minimum - determines its actual degree length (CACREP).
An accelerated plan is only a bargain if you can sustain its course load and complete clinical training on schedule. Working students should ask whether required classes and placements are available outside their job hours. Also separate time to degree from time to independent licensure: Ohio imposes additional licensing requirements after education, which can affect when you may pursue particular roles (Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board).
Online delivery can reduce commuting to classes, but it does not eliminate supervised clinical work. Campus study may make face-to-face meetings and local placement coordination easier, while online study may help a working adult keep a job or live farther from a university. Neither format is inherently more affordable once technology fees, travel, time off work, and placement logistics are included.
The decisive online-program question is whether the school can support your intended Ohio placement and provide documentation needed for Ohio licensure. Ask who secures sites, whether local supervisors qualify, whether any campus visits are compulsory, and whether online and campus students follow the same clinical requirements. Compare those answers with the Ohio board's rules; a program's general statement that it "prepares counselors" is not an individual licensing determination (Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board).
There is no single statewide average that reliably states what an Ohio clinical mental health counseling master's will cost you. Institutional graduate tuition figures can combine programs with different credit requirements and fees; they are not a substitute for a program-specific price. IPEDS reports institutional price information, while the amount an individual student pays also depends on residency classification, enrollment pace, and aid (National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS).
For an apples-to-apples estimate, request each school's current total required credits and per-credit tuition, then add mandatory program and university fees, any differential tuition, clinical-placement expenses, and expected annual price changes. Public-university residency pricing may change the comparison for an out-of-state applicant; private universities can also be competitive after grants. Compare the net amount you expect to pay to finish, not merely the first term's bill.
Eligible graduate students can complete the FAFSA to be considered for federal aid, including Direct Unsubsidized Loans. Schools may also offer graduate assistantships, scholarships, or employer-supported tuition benefits; eligibility and availability vary. Ask whether an award is renewable and whether it requires a workload that conflicts with clinical placements (Federal Student Aid; individual institutions).
Do not build a 2027 financing plan around Graduate PLUS without checking eligibility. Under federal changes effective July 1, 2026, new graduate borrowers generally cannot take out Graduate PLUS loans. Limited transitional eligibility may apply to students who were already enrolled in a qualifying program and had received a Direct Loan for that program before the effective date; confirm your circumstances with the financial aid office and Federal Student Aid. An applicant starting a new program in 2027 should not assume the former Graduate PLUS option is available (Federal Student Aid).
Ohio aid programs often have degree-level and residency restrictions, so verify that an award actually covers graduate counseling study. Compare written net-cost estimates after grants and employer support, and borrow against a realistic repayment budget rather than the maximum offered.
View the chart data as a table
Reported total program cost distribution across ranked programs (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
$30,000–$34,999
2
$35,000–$39,999
1
$40,000–$44,999
4
$45,000–$49,999
3
Applicants generally need a bachelor's degree and the materials specified by the individual program, which may include transcripts, recommendations, a statement of purpose, and an interview. A psychology or counseling major is not necessarily required, but a school may require particular preparatory courses or review relevant experience (individual institutional admissions requirements).
Before paying an application fee, ask whether your record meets any prerequisite or minimum academic requirements and how prior graduate courses would be evaluated. Transfer credit is a school decision; even accepted credits may not replace required clinical coursework or reduce the number of terms needed. Applicants intending to practice in Ohio should also request the program's current explanation of how its curriculum aligns with the state board's education rules (Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board).
Expect coursework in counseling theories and techniques, assessment, diagnosis, professional ethics, research, group counseling, human development, and culturally responsive practice, followed by supervised practicum and internship. A course title alone does not establish that it meets a particular Ohio requirement; content, credit, and clinical documentation matter (CACREP; Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board).
When comparing catalogs, pay particular attention to how a program teaches clinical assessment and treatment planning and whether its placement sequence fits your availability. Ask for a term-by-term plan showing when prerequisites unlock clinical courses. That can reveal a delay that a headline "two-year" description might conceal.
Students may be able to shape clinical experience toward areas such as substance-use treatment, trauma, children and adolescents, or integrated behavioral health through electives and placements. Availability depends on the program and its clinical partners. An elective or concentration is not automatically a separate license or professional certification; verify any additional credential's requirements with its issuing body and the Ohio board (Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board).
Choose a specialty only after checking whether the school can place students with that population and whether the experience supports your intended entry-level work. If your primary goal is school counseling rather than clinical mental health practice, compare the separate school-counseling education and credential pathway instead of assuming a clinical elective will qualify you for it.
Start with licensure fit, then compare the cost and practicality of reaching graduation. The best clinical mental health counseling programs offer a broader ranking perspective, but your decision should rest on current program evidence and your own circumstances.
Use these checks to turn a shortlist into a decision:
Ask the Ohio licensing board and each school how the specific degree's courses and clinical training relate to the license you intend to seek; verify programmatic accreditation and its current status directly with CACREP if it matters to your plan.
Request an individualized completion plan showing required credits, course availability, placement timing, and whether any prior graduate work transfers.
Compare written total-cost estimates after grants and employer benefits, including fees, clinical travel, forgone earnings, and financing costs.
Ask for program-specific completion, licensure exam, and employment results with their reporting periods; be cautious if only university-wide outcomes are offered.
The lowest-priced offer can be the wrong investment if a placement delay prolongs study or the degree does not support your licensing goal. Conversely, a higher tuition rate may be manageable if aid, scheduling, and a reliable completion path reduce what you actually spend. A useful return-on-investment comparison accounts for debt, completion probability, earnings before and after the degree, time away from work, and how long you expect to practice - not institution type alone.
View the chart data as a table
Median wage by U.S. state - Mental Health Counselors (BLS OEWS, May 2025) (Source: BLS)
State
Value
AK
80,770
AL
47,310
AR
51,580
AZ
65,300
CA
59,250
CO
62,390
CT
63,590
DC
60,450
DE
56,020
FL
56,790
GA
58,960
HI
60,090
IA
60,880
ID
63,360
IL
60,730
IN
53,760
KS
59,470
KY
54,190
LA
37,910
MA
59,890
MD
59,530
ME
59,970
MI
61,690
MN
58,780
MO
56,910
MS
46,990
MT
59,000
NC
55,490
ND
68,630
NE
63,770
NH
54,840
NJ
62,820
NM
74,100
NV
57,210
NY
59,450
OH
58,360
OK
59,350
OR
74,590
PA
52,010
PR
46,790
RI
65,120
SC
52,370
SD
53,650
TN
49,580
TX
62,630
UT
63,890
VA
59,880
VT
61,810
WA
68,910
WI
62,220
WV
49,430
WY
62,980
The degree can support a progression from supervised counseling roles toward positions requiring independent clinical licensure, provided the graduate completes Ohio's applicable education, examination, supervised-experience, and application requirements. Clinical setting and duties may change along that path; a diploma does not itself authorize independent practice (Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board).
Consider the work you want to do before choosing a placement. Community agencies and substance-use programs may expose students to different client needs and team structures than hospitals or outpatient practices. A prospective student seeking a faster route into a nonclinical support role should also compare jobs that do not require a counseling master's before accepting graduate debt.
View the chart data as a table
Wage range - Mental Health Counselors in Ohio (BLS OEWS, May 2025) (Source: BLS)
Category
Value
10th percentile
39,010
25th percentile
47,660
Median
58,360
75th percentile
68,850
90th percentile
83,730
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 18% national employment growth from 2025 to 2035 for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors. That projection signals demand across a broad occupation group, not a forecast of openings in a particular Ohio city or a guarantee of work after graduation (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections).
For a local reality check, search Ohio postings in the communities where you would work and note which license level, clinical experience, and schedule employers require. Then ask schools whether their placements and graduate support align with those jobs. The most popular clinical mental health counseling programs provide another way to discover options, but popularity is not evidence of local job placement or affordability.
2027 Most Affordable Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Ohio
Investing in a counseling degree is a consequential decision, so Research.com evaluates more than an advertised tuition rate. Its counseling rankings consider graduate outcomes, accreditation, licensure exam performance where applicable, and program cost. The Most Affordable ranking orders programs by its cost dimension; it should be read alongside licensure fit and the full cost of completing the degree.
For the broader Best ranking, the graduate-outcomes-and-accreditation score weights completion at 40%, employment or doctoral admission at 20%, licensure exam pass rates where applicable at 20%, CACREP programmatic accreditation at 16%, and institutional Title IV eligibility at 4%. Weights are adjusted when a measure does not apply. Cost contributes a smaller component - about 7% of the final Best score. The method applies to campus and online programs; other rankings order programs by the dimension in their names.
The Research.com team uses the following sources to check institutional information and support credible comparisons:
IPEDS database - institutional enrollment, completion, and price reporting.
Peterson's database - program and institutional information used in comparisons.
These measures help narrow a search, not predict an individual student's result. Confirm current tuition, required credits, clinical-placement arrangements, and Ohio licensure alignment with each school before committing. See Research.com's methodology for more on how its rankings are created.
# 1 position
Ohio State University
Master
Master of Arts in Educational Studies – Counselor Education
Delivery mode: campus
89.80
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
December 1
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Ohio State University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 89.8/100, supported by $30,250 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-10-31.
# 2 position
Youngstown State University
Master
M.S.Ed. in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
88.00
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.70 - 4.00
Program completion rate
97% (2022-23)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2022-23)
Licensure exam pass rate
87% (2022-23)
Application deadline
Fall: June 15th; Spring: October 15th; Summer: March 15th
Application process
direct
GRE
Conditional: GRE or MAT score required for review if GPA is slightly below the 2.7 minimum
Prerequisites
No specific undergraduate major or coursework required. Admission requires an undergraduate GPA above 2.7 (GRE/MAT may substitute if slightly below), a letter of intent, resume, three references, official transcripts, and an interview.
Additional requirements
GPA above 2.70 (or GRE/MAT if slightly below), letter of intent (~4 pages), name and contact information of references, required interview with Counseling Admissions Committee, official transcripts of all undergraduate/graduate work.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Youngstown State University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 88.0/100, supported by $32,733 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-10-31.
# 3 position
University of Akron Main Campus
Master
Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MA
Delivery mode: campus
85.60
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.50 - 4.00
Program completion rate
90% (2025-26)
Employment or doctoral admission
90% (2025-26)
Licensure exam pass rate
90% (2025-26)
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
Additional requirements
School of Graduate Studies Application; official transcripts; three letters of recommendation; School of Counseling Application Supplement Form; interview required for applicants who meet admission criteria
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
University of Akron Main Campus earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 85.6/100, supported by $36,000 total cost (tuition and fees) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-03-31.
# 4 position
Ashland University
Master
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
81.60
/ 100
Final score
Program length
4 semesters
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
64 semester credits
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Program completion rate
80% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
89.6% (2024-25)
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.75 and a substantial liberal arts foundation; CMHC applicants also complete a personality inventory and a personal interview with the program director.
Additional requirements
Online application, essay responses, two recommendation letters (one pastor/spiritual mentor, one professional), official transcripts, interview if requested; CMHC applicants also complete a personality inventory and follow-up interview.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Ashland University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 81.6/100, supported by $41,600 total cost (tuition and fees) and 64 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-03-31.
# 5 position
Heidelberg University
Master
Master of Arts in Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
80.60
/ 100
Final score
Program length
approximately 2 calendar years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Additional requirements
Graduate application, transcripts, two recommendation letters, a 2–3-page personal statement of professional goals, and Ohio BCI and FBI background checks. Admission is conditional; a faculty interview after nine credits is required.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Heidelberg University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 80.6/100, supported by $42,900 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-03-31.
# 6 position
Wright State University-Main Campus
Master
Master of Science in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Concentration
Delivery mode: hybrid
80.20
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2.5- 3.5 years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
56% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
90% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Fall: December 1; Spring: August 1
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Additional requirements
Graduate School application; 3.0 GPA (conditional below with approval); three recommendation letters; goals statement; required 3-hour group interview; GRE not required (petition if below GPA minimum without GRE).
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Wright State University-Main Campus earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 80.2/100, supported by $43,477 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-10-31.
# 7 position
Xavier University
Master
Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A.
Delivery mode: campus
79.20
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2 years full-time
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
90% (2022-23)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2022-23)
Licensure exam pass rate
81% (2022-23)
Application deadline
Fall: February 1; Spring: October 1; Summer: February 1
Application process
direct
GRE
optional
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree and solid academic background; applicants from any field are encouraged. Recommended undergraduate GPA of 3.0; applicants below 3.0 may submit MAT or GRE scores to strengthen their application.
Additional requirements
Online application; official transcripts; resume; 500-word statement of purpose; two letters of reference; 3.0 GPA expected; MAT/GRE optional; on-campus interview for selected applicants.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Xavier University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 79.2/100, supported by $44,866 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-03-31.
# 8 position
University of Dayton
Master
Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MSE)
Delivery mode: campus
77.30
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2.5 or 3.5 years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.75 - 4.00
Program completion rate
85% (2023-24)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2023-24)
Licensure exam pass rate
96% (2023-24)
Application deadline
Summer enrollment: Nov 10; Fall enrollment (early admission): Jan 10; Fall enrollment (late admission): Rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
Conditional: GRE or MAT required if undergraduate GPA is below 2.75
Prerequisites
Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale; applicants below 2.75 may be admitted with a qualifying GRE (verbal 149+ and analytical writing 4.0+) or MAT score (raw 40+ or scaled 396+).
Additional requirements
Online application; official transcripts from all previously attended institutions; three letters of recommendation; personal statement regarding career goals; GRE or MAT scores if undergraduate GPA is below 2.75; possible faculty interview.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
University of Dayton earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 77.3/100, supported by $47,525 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-03-31.
# 9 position
Franciscan University of Steubenville
Master
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
76.90
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Program completion rate
82% (2025-26)
Employment or doctoral admission
86% (2023-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
96% (2025)
Application deadline
Rolling, September–April, for Fall start
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree (BA or BS) from a regionally accredited university or college
Additional requirements
Online application; official college/university transcripts; a résumé; three professional recommendations rating dispositional fit; English proficiency test results (international applicants); virtual interview with admissions committee
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Franciscan University of Steubenville earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 76.9/100, supported by $48,000 total tuition and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-10-31.
# 10 position
Capital University
Master
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
76.50
/ 100
Final score
Program length
two years (full-time)
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
64 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
96.4% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Priority Deadline: December 1; Final Deadline: March 15
Class size
31
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution, with a satisfactory GPA, usually a minimum of 3.0 (B); applicants below 3.0 are reviewed individually and, if admitted, placed on a probationary period.
Additional requirements
Online application; statement of intent; three professional references; resume or CV; official transcripts from all institutions; signed Statement of Assurance of Good Moral Character; in-person interview if invited. Fall admission only.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Capital University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 76.5/100, supported by $48,640 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 64 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-10-31.
Frequently asked questions about Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree in Ohio
Is an Ohio clinical mental health counseling master's worth it?
It can be if you want a counseling career, the program fits Ohio's licensure pathway, and its total cost is reasonable relative to your expected work. Compare your likely debt and lost earnings with realistic jobs available at each license level - not a national median wage alone.
Does a CACREP-accredited degree automatically qualify me for an Ohio license?
No. Program accreditation and individual licensure are separate. Check the Ohio board's current education, examination, supervised-experience, and application requirements for the credential you want (CACREP; Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board).
Can I complete the degree entirely online?
You may be able to take academic courses online, but supervised clinical practice still requires an approved placement. Confirm where placements can occur and whether the program requires campus visits before enrolling.
What is the cheapest way to compare Ohio programs?
Request a current, program-specific estimate covering every required credit and fee. Subtract confirmed aid, then add likely placement travel and the cost of any extra term; do not rank schools by advertised per-credit tuition alone.
Can I work while earning the degree?
Many students plan to, but clinical placements and required courses may occur during work hours. Ask for a term-by-term schedule and the hours expected at placement sites before relying on full-time income throughout the program.
University of Akron Main Campus - Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MA Official program page (curriculum, tuition, admissions). https://www.uakron.edu/soc/masters/cmhc/
