Choosing an affordable counseling master's program is not simply a matter of finding the lowest tuition. The degree must also fit your schedule, clinical placement needs, and plans for Nebraska licensure. This guide accompanies the 2027 Most Affordable Online Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Nebraska, created by the Research.com team of data scientists to help students make an informed choice about programs worth considering. You'll learn how to compare total costs, training requirements, career prospects, and the questions to settle before enrolling.
Key findings about online Clinical Mental Health Counseling degrees in Nebraska
The lowest advertised tuition may not be the lowest total cost: compare required credits, fees, travel, clinical placement expenses, aid, and time away from work.
For a Nebraska clinical practice goal, verify the degree's fit with the Nebraska Board of Mental Health Practice before enrolling; an online format or institutional accreditation alone does not establish licensure eligibility.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a $59,350 national median annual wage in May 2025 and projects 18% employment growth from 2025 to 2035 for the mental health and substance use counseling occupation. Neither figure predicts an individual graduate's earnings or job prospects.
What can I expect from an online Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree in Nebraska?
Clinical mental health counseling is graduate-level preparation for assessing clients, developing treatment plans, and providing counseling under the supervision and legal authority appropriate to the practitioner's stage of licensure. An online master's program generally delivers academic coursework remotely, but supervised practice takes place in person. "Online" therefore does not mean you can complete the degree without arranging an approved clinical site.
For a Nebraska resident, placement support is a decisive program feature. Ask whether the school has previously approved sites near your home, who secures a supervisor, and whether its coursework is designed to satisfy Nebraska's educational requirements. A broadly related psychology degree or a short counseling certificate may be useful for other goals, but it is not interchangeable with a licensure-oriented counseling master's degree.
This path is most appropriate if you want to work directly with clients and can commit to graduate study, fieldwork, and post-degree licensure steps. If your goal is a nonclinical human-services role, compare the additional cost and time against a degree that does not require the same clinical training.
Where can I work with an online Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree in Nebraska?
Depending on the role and the license held, clinical mental health counselors can work in outpatient clinics, community behavioral health organizations, hospitals, integrated health settings, substance use treatment programs, and private practices. Employers set their own hiring and supervision requirements; a diploma does not itself authorize independent practice. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics identifies these settings across the counseling occupation.
Location can affect which program is practical. Students in Omaha or Lincoln may have a different range of nearby placement sites from students in less populated parts of Nebraska. Before committing to an online program, ask its fieldwork office for examples of acceptable sites in your area and whether your intended workplace can serve as a placement. A convenient program with no workable local clinical site may ultimately cost more time than a less flexible alternative.
The national median annual wage for the mental health and substance use counseling occupation was $59,350 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is an occupation-wide U.S. benchmark, not a starting salary, a Nebraska wage estimate, or an earnings figure for graduates of any listed school. Experience, employer, work setting, hours, and licensure can all affect an offer.
To assess affordability, compare the salary you could reasonably pursue after graduation with what you earn now - not simply with the national median. Include the period spent completing supervised experience and any debt payments. A lower-cost program can be a better investment when its clinical training and completion schedule support your actual career goal; a higher advertised salary for a different counseling specialty is not a sound basis for choosing the wrong credential.
The most useful distinctions are those that change a student's cost, schedule, clinical placement options, or licensure preparation. The following program-specific starting points show what to investigate at each school; delivery arrangements, credits, charges, and placement policies should be confirmed with the program before comparing offers.
Wayne State College: Its dedicated clinical mental health counseling master's program makes the degree - not a general counseling pathway - the appropriate unit of comparison. Ask for the current curriculum and a written explanation of how field placements are arranged in your part of Nebraska; that matters if attending campus regularly would be difficult. Source: Wayne State College program information.
Chadron State College: The clinical mental health counseling option is presented within a Master of Arts in Education pathway. Confirm the exact degree title on the transcript and compare its clinical coursework against Nebraska's licensing requirements, particularly if you are weighing it against programs awarding differently titled counseling degrees. Source: Chadron State College program information.
University of Nebraska at Kearney: The program sits within the university's counseling and school psychology academic area. That setting is worth examining if you are deciding between clinical mental health and school-focused counseling, but the two career routes should not be treated as interchangeable; request the clinical track's specific course and placement plan. Source: University of Nebraska at Kearney program information.
University of Nebraska at Omaha: Its clinical mental health program is housed in a counseling department within a college spanning education, health, and human sciences. For a student seeking clinical placements in the Omaha area, the important comparison is the department's current placement process and supervisor requirements - not the breadth of the college's name. Source: University of Nebraska at Omaha program information.
Bellevue University: Its program page explicitly presents an online clinical mental health counseling master's option, making delivery format a clear initial comparison point. Verify whether any campus visits or synchronous sessions are required and how the university approves Nebraska field sites before treating the online label as a scheduling advantage. Source: Bellevue University program information.
These distinctions are not claims that one program has better outcomes or lower tuition than another. For a broader quality comparison alongside affordability, consult the best clinical mental health counseling programs and verify the underlying program details that matter to you.
A licensure-oriented counseling master's commonly takes about two to three years of full-time study; part-time study can take longer. The exact schedule depends on course availability, whether a program admits cohorts or offers multiple entry points, and when you can complete practicum and internship. Fieldwork hours cannot necessarily be compressed just because academic courses are offered online.
Ask each school for a term-by-term plan based on the number of courses you can actually take while working. If a faster schedule requires reducing paid hours or finding a site that offers daytime supervision, include that lost income in the comparison. The fastest clinical mental health counseling programs can help identify schedules to investigate, but confirm the time to graduation for your enrollment status and placement location.
The central difference is how you attend coursework, not whether you need supervised clinical training. This comparison highlights which format-related costs and constraints deserve attention before you choose.
Consideration
Online program
On-campus program
Academic attendance
Remote coursework; sessions may be live or self-paced
Regular travel to scheduled campus classes
Clinical training
In-person placement at an approved site
In-person placement at an approved site
Cost exposure
Check technology fees, possible campus visits, and local site travel
Check commuting, parking, and any relocation costs
Best fit to investigate
Students who need remote coursework and have a workable local placement
Students who prefer in-person classes or access to a campus-based schedule
An online option may preserve a working adult's ability to remain in their community, especially where a campus commute is long. It can also shift more responsibility for coordinating a nearby clinical site onto the student. Ask both online and campus programs who finds placements, who approves supervisors, and what happens if a proposed site falls through.
There is no single published Nebraska average in this article that reliably represents the total cost of a licensure-oriented online counseling master's degree. An institutional graduate tuition average would not capture differences in required credits, program fees, clinical travel, or time away from work. For a decision you can use, request each school's current total-program estimate rather than comparing tuition per credit in isolation.
Build the comparison from required credits multiplied by your applicable tuition rate, then add mandatory fees, books or materials, possible visits, placement-related expenses, and borrowing costs. Check whether a public university charges you a different rate based on residency or online enrollment. Finally, subtract aid that you can actually use; a scholarship advertised to graduate students is not part of your savings unless you qualify for it.
Affordability is not identical to value. If a somewhat more expensive program offers a viable placement and schedule that makes completion more likely for you, compare it with the most valuable clinical mental health counseling programs rather than assuming the smallest tuition figure wins.
Eligible graduate students can start with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and ask schools about federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, institutional scholarships, assistantships, and employer tuition assistance. Availability depends on the student, institution, and program; an online format does not by itself establish or prevent federal aid eligibility. Source: Federal Student Aid.
Graduate PLUS rules require particular care for a 2027 enrollment decision. Under the federal changes effective July 2026, new graduate borrowers generally cannot count on Graduate PLUS loans; limited transitional eligibility may apply to students who previously received a qualifying loan for the same program and remain within the permitted period. Confirm your status and current limits with Federal Student Aid and the school's financial aid office before relying on this borrowing option. Source: Federal Student Aid.
For Nebraska-based students, ask whether a campus job, assistantship, or local employer benefit is compatible with the program's online attendance and required fieldwork. Compare net cost and expected debt across offers, not just the size of an aid package: loans reduce the amount due now but do not reduce the degree's price.
View the chart data as a table
Reported total program cost distribution across ranked programs (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
$20,000–$24,999
2
$25,000–$29,999
1
$30,000–$34,999
1
$35,000–$39,999
0
$40,000–$44,999
1
Applicants generally need a bachelor's degree and must meet the chosen school's graduate admissions rules. Programs may also request transcripts, recommendations, a statement of purpose, an interview, or evidence of preparation for counseling study. Requirements and policies on prior psychology coursework vary, so use the current program application - not assumptions about another school - as your checklist. Source: individual university admissions offices.
Before applying, separate admission from licensure preparation. Ask whether the program accepts your previous graduate credits, how many may apply to the degree, and whether transferred courses can satisfy clinical curriculum requirements. A generous transfer policy has little financial value if it does not shorten your approved study plan or preserve the coursework needed for Nebraska licensure.
Admissions selectivity is also different from academic fit. The easiest clinical mental health counseling programs can suggest options to explore, but an accessible admissions process should never substitute for confirming clinical-site feasibility and degree requirements.
A clinical mental health counseling curriculum commonly covers counseling theories and techniques, assessment and diagnosis, ethics, human development, research, group counseling, and work with clients from varied backgrounds. Practicum and internship connect those subjects to supervised client care. Exact course titles, sequencing, and fieldwork requirements are set by the program; CACREP publishes programmatic standards that students can use to understand accredited counseling curricula. Source: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.
Read the course sequence with your intended work setting in mind. If you hope to counsel clients with substance use concerns, for example, ask what relevant coursework and approved placements are available. Also ask when fieldwork begins: a course plan that fits evening study may still require daytime client-facing hours later.
Specialization may come through electives, certificates, or a field placement focused on areas such as substance use, trauma, children and adolescents, or couples and families. These options are not automatically distinct licenses or guarantees of eligibility for another profession. A school counseling track, in particular, should not be assumed to have the same credentialing destination as a clinical mental health track.
When comparing programs, ask whether an advertised focus adds required credits or tuition, whether appropriate supervisors and sites are available near you, and whether its courses fit your intended Nebraska credential. Choose a broad clinical foundation if your interests are still developing; prioritize a defined focus only when its additional training serves a clear career goal.
Start with the work you want to do, then test each affordable program against the requirements for reaching it. Nebraska's Board of Mental Health Practice is the authoritative place to check state licensure requirements; institutional accreditation and CACREP programmatic accreditation are separate checks. Neither a school's presence in a ranking nor the word "online" proves that a graduate will qualify for a particular license. Sources: Nebraska Board of Mental Health Practice; Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.
Use these questions when requesting written answers from programs. They address the mistakes most likely to turn a low advertised price into an expensive detour:
Which Nebraska credential is this curriculum designed to support, and how does the school document that alignment?
Is the institution appropriately accredited, and does this specific counseling program hold CACREP accreditation? If not, what does that mean for my intended path?
Who finds and approves placements and supervisors in my location, and what happens if a site is unavailable?
What will I pay to finish at my enrollment pace after mandatory fees and aid, and which prior credits will actually shorten that plan?
What are the attendance, campus-visit, and fieldwork schedules throughout the entire degree?
Compare completion probability alongside price: a schedule you cannot sustain can undermine the value of a tuition discount. For a fuller return-on-investment assessment, weigh debt, aid, foregone earnings, your current income, plausible post-degree income, and the time it will take to reach your goal. Rankings are useful filters, not replacements for this personal calculation.
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
A clinical mental health master's degree can support a path toward supervised counseling practice and, after applicable requirements are met, more independent clinical work. Nebraska distinguishes credentials and scopes of practice, including licensed mental health practitioner and licensed independent mental health practitioner pathways. The degree, supervised experience, examination, application, and license are distinct stages; verify the current sequence with the Nebraska Board of Mental Health Practice. Source: Nebraska Board of Mental Health Practice.
Other possible directions depend on training and employer requirements: community mental health, behavioral health within healthcare organizations, or substance use treatment. If you instead want to be a school counselor or enter a different regulated profession, compare that occupation's specific preparation requirements before paying for a clinical mental health degree. A specialty's job title does not establish that the same master's program qualifies you for it.
View the chart data as a table
Wage range - Mental Health Counselors in Nebraska (BLS OEWS, May 2025) (Source: BLS)
Category
Value
10th percentile
42,400
25th percentile
47,040
Median
63,770
75th percentile
81,740
90th percentile
109,610
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 18% national employment growth from 2025 to 2035 for the mental health and substance use counseling occupation. That projection signals demand across the United States; it does not establish how many positions will be available in a particular Nebraska community or for a newly licensed applicant. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections.
Assess the market where you intend to live. Review local employers' postings for required licenses, supervision arrangements, and work settings, then ask prospective programs whether their placements can help you gain relevant experience nearby. In less populated areas, the number and type of employers may make geographic flexibility especially important. If you cannot relocate, placement availability and the local route from provisional to later licensure may matter more than a national growth figure.
2027 Most Affordable Online Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in Nebraska
Investing in a counseling degree is a consequential financial and professional decision. Research.com developed its rankings to help readers compare programs using consistent evidence rather than tuition claims alone. The team evaluates data quality and comparability while recognizing that published outcomes and costs cannot predict any individual student's results.
Research.com's counseling rankings consider graduate outcomes, licensure exam pass rates where applicable, accreditation, federal aid eligibility, and cost. For the Best ranking, the initial graduate-outcomes-and-accreditation score weights completion at 40%, employment or doctoral admission at 20%, applicable licensure exam pass rates at 20%, CACREP programmatic accreditation at 16%, and Title IV institutional eligibility at 4%. Inapplicable criteria are renormalized; cost then contributes about 7% of the final score. The same approach applies to online and campus programs. Rankings focused on affordability or another named dimension order programs by that dimension instead.
The ranking draws on these data sources. Reviewing them alongside program disclosures helps readers judge both price and the educational experience behind it:
IPEDS database - institutional reporting on enrollment, awards, and published education costs.
Peterson's database - program and institutional information used in comparisons.
College Scorecard database - federal information on institutions, costs, aid, and outcomes where available.
Read more about the approach on Research.com's methodology page. Use the ranking to build a shortlist, then request a current, individualized cost estimate and confirm each program's licensure fit directly with the school and Nebraska's licensing board.
# 1 position
Wayne State College
Master
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master's Degree (MSE)
Delivery mode: hybrid
94.60
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2.5-3 years if attending at a full-time pace
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Employment or doctoral admission
90.8% (2021-22)
Application deadline
Fall: March 1; Spring: Oct 1; Summer: Oct 1
Application process
direct
Additional requirements
Program application, learning agreement, affirmation of conduct, statement of purpose, contact information for a minimum of three recommendations, transcript submission
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Wayne State College earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 94.6/100, supported by $23,554 total cost (tuition and fees) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-03-31.
# 2 position
Chadron State College
Master
Master of Arts in Education – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: online
93.80
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
50%
Licensure exam pass rate
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Fall Cohort: Feb 1 (final deadline); Spring Cohort: Sept 15 (final deadline)
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution
Additional requirements
Official transcripts from the college/university that issued the bachelor's degree; official transcripts from any institutions attended after receiving a bachelor's degree (if applicable); admission essay; viewing of New Student Orientation video
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Chadron State College earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 93.8/100, supported by $24,720 total tuition and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-03-31.
# 3 position
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Master
Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Master of Science in Education
Delivery mode: hybrid
93.10
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Fall First Semester ... Spring Third Semester (8 semesters incl. 2 summers)
Official transcripts (Low GPA Statement if below 2.75), resume, personal essay (300-500 words) on motivation to become a clinical mental health counselor, three professional references, admission 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 Nebraska at Kearney earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 93.1/100, supported by $25,667 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-10-31.
# 4 position
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Master
M.S. in Counseling with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC)
Delivery mode: hybrid
89.60
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Average completion: 3-4 years (full-time)
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Acceptance rate
52.5%
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
90.4% (2022-23)
Licensure exam pass rate
91% (2023-24)
Application deadline
Summer 2027: Feb 15, 2027; Fall 2027: Feb 15, 2027
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree; 3.0 GPA for unconditional admission (2.7-2.99 considered for provisional admission); no specific undergraduate major required.
Additional requirements
Official transcripts of all attended universities; two letters of recommendation; current resume or CV; Statement of Purpose (max 2 pages, double-spaced); group admission interview (by invitation).
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 Nebraska at Omaha earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 89.6/100, supported by $30,540 total tuition and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-03-31.
# 5 position
Bellevue University
Master
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: online
80.00
/ 100
Final score
Program length
3-4 years for full-time students; depends on credits per term
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
66.4% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
70% (2024-25)
Licensure exam pass rate
85% (2024-25)
Application deadline
rolling
Class size
355
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Completed bachelor's degree and 6 credit hours in Behavioral Sciences, such as psychology. Minimum 3.0 GPA in the most recent 60 credit hours; applicants below 3.0 may appeal for program director review.
Additional requirements
Online application with a $75 application fee (waived for Bellevue University alumni) and evidence of a completed bachelor's degree, plus a current professional resume, a background check, a 1,000-word essay describing your interest in the study of…
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Bellevue University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 80.0/100, supported by $43,800 total cost (tuition and fees) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-10-31.
Frequently asked questions about online Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree in Nebraska
Can I become licensed in Nebraska with an online counseling degree?
Potentially, but online delivery alone does not determine eligibility. Check the specific degree and coursework against current Nebraska Board of Mental Health Practice requirements, then account for supervised experience, examinations, and the applicable license application.
Are online counseling master's programs fully remote?
Usually not. Coursework may be remote, but clinical practicum and internship require approved supervised experience. Confirm any campus visits and who arranges your field site.
Is CACREP accreditation the same as university accreditation?
No. CACREP accreditation applies to a specific counseling program; institutional accreditation applies to the institution. Check both separately and ask Nebraska's licensing board how program accreditation affects your intended credential. Sources: CACREP; Nebraska Board of Mental Health Practice.
Will the cheapest program save me the most money?
Not necessarily. Compare total tuition and fees after aid, required travel, placement expenses, and any income you might forgo. A longer or impractical schedule can outweigh a lower advertised tuition rate.
How long should I plan to study?
Plan on roughly two to three years for a full-time counseling master's degree, with more time possible for part-time enrollment. Get a program-specific term plan that includes clinical placements before relying on a completion estimate.
Is the degree worth it if I already work in human services?
It may be if clinical counseling and the associated licensure path are necessary for the work you want to do. Compare your current earnings and advancement options with the degree's full cost, time commitment, and realistic post-degree roles; a nonclinical goal may call for a different credential.
