The cheapest counseling master's degree is not necessarily the least expensive path to a counseling career. A low tuition bill can lose its advantage if the program does not fit your state's licensing rules or requires fieldwork you cannot complete. This guide accompanies the 2027 Most Affordable Master's in Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in the Northeast, 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 costs, credentials, training formats, and career prospects before committing.
Key findings about Counseling degrees in Northeast
Compare total degree cost, not tuition alone: required credits, resident rates, fees, travel, and unpaid fieldwork can change which Northeast program is most affordable for you.
Choose a track for your intended credential before choosing a school. Clinical mental health, school, and rehabilitation counseling prepare students for different roles, and licensing or certification rules vary by state.
The national median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors was $59,350 in May 2025; BLS projects 18% employment growth from 2025 to 2035. Neither figure predicts an individual graduate's earnings or job prospects.
What can I expect from a Counseling degree in Northeast?
A counseling master's combines coursework in human development and helping skills with supervised practice. The crucial choice is its professional track. Clinical mental health counseling generally targets therapy and related services; school counseling targets work with students in educational settings; rehabilitation counseling focuses on disability, employment, and independent living. A degree labeled simply "counseling" may offer concentrations, so inspect the transcript and fieldwork requirements rather than relying on the title.
Expect coursework, skills practice, a practicum, and an internship. Field placements are especially important in a region where a student might attend a New York school, live in New Jersey, and plan to work in Connecticut: an available placement is not automatically acceptable to every licensing board. Ask where recent students completed fieldwork and whether the program approves placements in your intended state.
For someone seeking independent clinical practice, the degree can be a worthwhile investment if its curriculum supports the intended license and its debt is manageable alongside postgraduation supervised work. Someone who wants a school-based role should instead prioritize the state's school-counselor certification pathway. Neither track is a shortcut into the other.
Where can I work with a Counseling degree in Northeast?
Potential settings include community mental health agencies, hospitals, substance-use treatment providers, schools, colleges, rehabilitation services, and, after meeting applicable independent-licensure rules, private practice. The employer and job title depend on the concentration and credential. A school-counseling graduate should not assume eligibility for a clinical therapist position, just as a mental health counseling graduate should not assume eligibility for public-school certification.
Location affects the search. Northeast metropolitan areas may offer a wider choice of clinical and school placement sites, while a rural student may need a longer commute or a school that permits an approved local placement. Before accepting an offer, ask the department which employers host interns near where you live and whether those placements lead to the supervised experience needed for your intended credential.
National occupational medians offer a benchmark, not a starting salary or a Northeast pay estimate. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the following May 2025 median annual wages for occupations associated with common counseling tracks. Job duties and licensing status - not the degree name alone - determine which comparison is appropriate.
Potential direction
National median annual wage, May 2025
How to use the figure
Clinical mental health or addiction counseling
$59,350
Benchmark for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor roles.
School counseling
$64,330
Compare with pay schedules in the school districts where you hope to work.
Marriage and family therapy
$66,940
Relevant only if your education meets the applicable marriage and family therapist pathway.
Rehabilitation counseling
$46,850
Compare with the employers and disability-service roles you are targeting.
These BLS occupational figures are national and include workers at different career stages. For a realistic return-on-investment estimate, compare local job postings and employer pay schedules with your expected borrowing, existing earnings, and the time required to qualify for independent practice. Do not treat a higher occupational median as a reason to enroll in a mismatched degree.
Affordable programs can differ more in credential target than in sticker price. These program-specific distinctions show which options merit a closer look for different goals; verify current credits, accreditation status, placement arrangements, and costs with each department.
CUNY Hunter College - School Counseling MSEd: Hunter offers a school-counseling education degree in New York City. It is a relevant comparison for students seeking school-based work who can complete placements in the city; ask how its curriculum maps to the state where you intend to seek certification. Source: Hunter College School of Education.
Lehman College, City University of New York - School Counseling: Lehman provides another CUNY route specifically oriented toward school counseling. For students weighing New York City public options, comparing Lehman's course schedule and approved placement locations with Hunter's may be more useful than comparing institutional tuition labels alone. Source: Lehman College Counselor Education.
SUNY Brockport - School Counseling: Brockport's dedicated school-counseling master's offers a western New York alternative to the city-based programs. Students planning to work in schools should compare its fieldwork geography and certification preparation with programs nearer their intended district. Source: SUNY Brockport Counselor Education.
SUNY Brockport - Counselor Education master's options: Brockport's counselor-education offerings allow applicants to examine professional pathways beyond the school-counseling page. Confirm the precise track before comparing prices: a lower-cost place in one concentration does not substitute for the curriculum required by another credential. Source: SUNY Brockport Counselor Education.
SUNY Oswego - Mental Health Counseling MS: Oswego's named clinical pathway makes it more pertinent to prospective mental health counselors than the school-counseling options above. Ask how its supervised training and coursework support licensure in the state where you expect to practice. Source: SUNY Oswego Graduate Programs.
Bridgewater State University - Mental Health Counseling: Bridgewater offers a Massachusetts-based clinical counseling option. Its location makes Massachusetts placement availability and that state's licensing-board education rules particularly important to verify before comparing its price with a New York program. Source: Bridgewater State University Graduate Programs.
Bridgewater State University - School Counseling: Bridgewater also offers a separately identified school-counseling program. Applicants considering Massachusetts schools can compare its educator-credential preparation with Bridgewater's clinical route rather than assuming the two degrees lead to the same jobs. Source: Bridgewater State University Graduate Programs.
SUNY New Paltz - Clinical Mental Health Counseling MS: New Paltz's psychology-department clinical mental health degree is worth examining for students who want a clinical path outside New York City. Check its current fieldwork requirements and state-licensure alignment against other New York clinical options. Source: SUNY New Paltz Graduate Catalog.
University of Southern Maine - Counseling MS, School Counseling concentration: Southern Maine identifies school counseling as a concentration within its counseling master's. That structure is relevant to Maine-bound students, who should confirm the concentration's educator-certification requirements rather than assuming every concentration qualifies. Source: University of Southern Maine Counselor Education.
University at Buffalo - Rehabilitation Counseling: Buffalo is the clearest disability- and rehabilitation-focused option in this group. It is the more targeted choice for applicants interested in rehabilitation services than a general clinical or school-counseling track; confirm its curriculum against any certification or state credential you intend to pursue. Source: University at Buffalo Graduate School of Education.
For a broader comparison of academic and outcome measures, see the best counseling programs. Treat any ranking alongside the program-level evidence that matters for your intended credential.
A full-time counseling master's commonly takes about two to three years; part-time enrollment can extend the timeline. Credits are only part of the calculation. Prerequisite courses, the sequence in which required classes are offered, and access to an approved practicum or internship may determine your actual graduation date.
Ask for a term-by-term plan based on your starting semester and work schedule. An accelerated calendar is useful only if you can complete its fieldwork without losing income you need or delaying graduation while waiting for a placement. Graduating is also distinct from completing any postdegree supervised experience required for independent licensure.
An online program can reduce commuting or relocation costs, but it does not eliminate supervised fieldwork. Campus programs may make it easier to use nearby placement relationships and practice counseling skills in person. Neither format, by itself, establishes eligibility for a state license; the state board evaluates the education and other requirements.
If you live in one Northeast state and enroll online in another, ask the program in writing whether it accepts students in your state, arranges or approves local placements, and has assessed its curriculum against your intended state's requirements. Compare any required campus visits and placement travel with tuition savings. A lower online price is less useful if you must find an approved site without adequate support.
There is no single regional price that reliably describes a counseling master's across Northeast states, institutions, and tracks. Published tuition may be charged per credit or term, and the bill can differ for residents, nonresidents, and students in particular delivery formats. A meaningful comparison uses each school's current quote for the entire degree, not an annual undergraduate price or one graduate semester.
Request an itemized estimate covering required credits, mandatory fees, fieldwork-related expenses, travel, and any tuition changes tied to residency or enrollment pace. Then subtract grants and employer support. Public universities may offer attractive resident pricing, while a private nonprofit program could still cost less for you after aid or with a more workable schedule. For another way to evaluate cost alongside outcomes, consult the most valuable counseling programs.
Potential sources include institutional scholarships, graduate assistantships, employer tuition benefits, eligible state or workforce programs, and federal graduate loans. Availability depends on the school, program, residency, and individual eligibility; completing the FAFSA does not mean every type of aid will appear in an offer. Ask whether an assistantship reduces tuition, pays a stipend, or requires work hours that could conflict with clinical placements.
Federal borrowing rules deserve particular attention for a 2027 entrant. Under changes taking effect in July 2026, new graduate borrowers generally cannot rely on Graduate PLUS loans; limited transitional eligibility may apply to certain students who borrowed for the same program before the change, according to Federal Student Aid. Confirm your own eligibility and loan limits with the financial aid office before using borrowing to fill a budget gap. Compare aid offers by net total cost and expected debt, not the size of the initial award.
View the chart data as a table
Wage range - Mental Health Counselors (U.S., BLS May 2025) (Source: BLS)
Category
Value
10th percentile
38,940
Median
59,350
90th percentile
97,590
Programs generally require a bachelor's degree and an application that may include transcripts, recommendations, a statement of purpose, an interview, and specified prerequisite coursework. Requirements vary by school; a psychology major is not universally required. Check the official admissions page for the program and entry term you want, including whether prerequisite courses can be completed after admission.
Admission is not the only eligibility check. Before paying an application fee, identify the state and role you are targeting, then compare the program's curriculum and accreditation status with the relevant licensing board or educator-certification agency. CACREP accreditation is a programmatic designation, not a personal license, and states can impose additional education, examination, and supervised-experience requirements. Also ask whether prior graduate coursework can transfer and, if so, whether transferred courses will satisfy required clinical content.
Typical study covers counseling techniques, ethics, assessment, human development, group work, multicultural counseling, research, and supervised practice. Clinical mental health tracks may add diagnosis and treatment planning; school tracks emphasize student development and school systems; rehabilitation tracks address disability and employment-related services. Course titles alone do not establish equivalence across states.
Compare syllabi and the program's licensure-disclosure materials with the intended state board's education checklist. This matters especially if you plan to transfer credits or move after graduation: a course accepted toward one degree may not meet another state's required content area.
The most consequential choices are clinical mental health, school, rehabilitation, and - in programs that offer them - addiction or marriage and family-focused study. They should not be treated as interchangeable electives. A marriage and family therapist role, for example, can have a distinct state licensing pathway from professional counseling, even when the coursework overlaps.
Choose the specialization by working backward from the credential and setting you want. If you are undecided between school and clinical work, ask each department whether switching tracks would add courses or field placements. Compare the most popular counseling programs for additional options, but do not mistake enrollment interest for proof that a specialization fits your goal.
Start with the job and state, not the school name. Northeast licensing and school-certification rules are state-specific, so a degree that suits a New York applicant may require additional review for someone intending to work in Massachusetts, Maine, or New Jersey. The relevant state licensing board or education agency is the authority on its requirements.
Use the following checks to turn a shortlist into a decision and avoid expensive mismatches:
Identify the exact occupation and state credential you want; ask the school for its current, state-specific eligibility disclosure.
Confirm institutional accreditation, any relevant programmatic accreditation, required coursework, examinations, and supervised-experience pathway separately.
Request a full-degree cost estimate and a realistic term-by-term plan, including placement travel and any earnings you would forgo.
Ask where students complete fieldwork, how placements are approved, and what support is available if a site falls through.
Compare available completion and employment outcomes using the same reporting periods, and ask what population each measure includes.
Finally, test affordability against your own finances: consider aid, likely debt, completion probability, baseline earnings, possible postdegree earnings, and how long benefits would need to last to justify the cost. A short or inexpensive program is not a bargain if it cannot support your intended credential; a costlier one is not automatically a better investment.
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 track can support a path from supervised counseling work toward independent practice, subject to state requirements. School counseling points toward school-based roles and the applicable educator credential. Rehabilitation counseling can lead to work with disability and employment services, while addiction-focused preparation may fit treatment settings. Each route has its own employers, supervision expectations, and possible additional credentials.
If you want to change paths later, ask how much additional coursework and fieldwork would be required before assuming your first master's will cover it. That question is particularly valuable for working professionals choosing between a flexible general program and a clearly designated specialization.
View the chart data as a table
Reported total program cost distribution across ranked programs (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
$20,000-$39,999
15
$40,000-$59,999
54
$60,000-$79,999
22
$80,000-$99,999
9
$100,000-$119,999
6
$120,000-$139,999
2
Demand differs by specialty. BLS projects 18% national employment growth from 2025 to 2035 for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors, compared with 3% for school and career counselors and advisors. These are national occupational projections, not forecasts for a particular Northeast state or a guarantee of openings for new graduates.
Use the figures to guide a local search rather than to pick a degree solely for growth. Review postings in the cities or districts where you can work, noting the required state credential, accepted degree, supervision arrangements, and pay. Competition and access to placements can differ between metropolitan and rural areas; willingness to commute or relocate may matter as much as the national growth rate.
2027 Most Affordable Master's in Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in the Northeast
Investing in graduate education is a consequential decision. Research.com developed its counseling rankings to help readers compare programs using documented outcomes, credentials, and costs rather than tuition or reputation alone. Its team reviews multiple education datasets to improve the quality, credibility, and accuracy of those comparisons.
The Best counseling ranking first combines program completion (40%), employment or doctoral admission (20%), applicable licensure-exam pass rates (20%), applicable CACREP programmatic accreditation (16%), and institutional eligibility for federal Title IV aid (4%). Shares are redistributed when a measure does not apply. Program cost then contributes about 7% of the final Best score. The same approach applies to online and campus programs; other rankings order programs by the dimension named in their titles. The following sources inform the rankings:
IPEDS database: institutional reporting on programs, enrollment, completions, and prices.
Peterson's database: program and institutional information used in comparisons.
The affordability ranking is a starting point for a shortlist, not a determination that every listed degree meets every state's licensing rules. Readers can find further detail on Research.com's methodology and should confirm current program prices and requirements directly with schools before enrolling.
# 1 position
CUNY Hunter College
Master
School Counseling (MSEd)
Delivery mode: campus
91.30
/ 100
Final score
Program length
On-time completion defined as 3 years (20 credits per year); part-time or full-time study permitted
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Acceptance rate
64.8%
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
85% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
73% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Fall: February 1
Class size
21
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of at least 3.0; 15 to 25 credits of approved courses from anthropology, economics, education, guidance, health sciences, political science, psychology, sociology, and related areas.
Additional requirements
Statement of purpose (400-600 words), an additional essay (400-600 words) on a counseling scenario, two letters of recommendation from professional or academic references; relevant work/volunteer experience highly recommended.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
CUNY Hunter College earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 91.3/100, supported by $28,200 total tuition and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-03-31.
# 2 position
Lehman College, City University of New York
Master
Master of Science in Education: School Counseling
Delivery mode: hybrid
90.60
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
Fall: March 15
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
Completed bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited institution
Additional requirements
Official transcripts; 3.0 GPA; two letters of recommendation; 5 essay questions; resume; group interview; TOEFL for certain international applicants
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Lehman College, City University of New York earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 90.6/100, supported by $29,065 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-03-31.
# 3 position
SUNY Brockport
Master
Master of Science in Education in School Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
89.20
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
School 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)
Application deadline
Fall: April 15; Spring: November 15; Summer: April 15
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree required, with an expected minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Additional requirements
Online graduate application with written objective, all undergraduate/graduate transcripts, contact info for three recommendations (employer, professor, character reference), and a group interview.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
SUNY Brockport earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 89.2/100, supported by $31,042 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-03-31.
# 4 position
SUNY Brockport
Master
Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
89.20
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
96% (2023-24)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Fall: April 15; Spring: November 15; Summer: April 15
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree required with an expected minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; students are encouraged to consult individual course descriptions for prerequisites.
Additional requirements
Online graduate application with written objective for entering the program; all undergraduate and graduate transcripts; three recommendations (employer, professor, character reference); group interview with Counselor Education faculty.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
SUNY Brockport earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 89.2/100, supported by $31,042 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-03-31.
# 5 position
State University of New York at Oswego
Master
M.S. in Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
88.90
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2-3 years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Acceptance rate
96.8%
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
89% (2022-23)
Employment or doctoral admission
95% (2023-24)
Application deadline
February 1
Class size
19
Application process
direct
GRE
optional
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree; at least nine credit hours of sequential coursework including CPS 503 and CPS 510, plus instructor permission, required to begin practicum; Mandated Reporter Training required prior to practicum.
Additional requirements
Official transcript(s), minimum 3.0 GPA, optional GRE scores, possible department interview, statement of purpose (500 words), resume/CV, two letters of recommendation; international applicants need English proficiency scores.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
State University of New York at Oswego earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 88.9/100, supported by $31,412 total cost (tuition and fees, estimated) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-10-31.
# 6 position
Bridgewater State University
Master
Master of Education in Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
87.40
/ 100
Final score
Program length
24 months
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.50 - 4.00
Application deadline
Fall: February 1; Spring: October 1
Application process
direct
GRE
Conditional: GRE required if undergraduate GPA is below 3.0 (combined 291 for 2.80-2.99, 292 for 2.50-2.79), unless the low-GPA course remedy is completed or the applicant holds a master's degree
Prerequisites
Master's degree, or undergraduate GPA of 3.0+ (GRE not required); applicants below 3.0 must either submit GRE scores (combined 291 for GPA 2.80-2.99, 292 for GPA 2.50-2.79) or take two of four designated department courses and earn a B or above…
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Bridgewater State University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 87.4/100, supported by $33,585 total cost (tuition and fees) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-03-31.
# 7 position
Bridgewater State University
Master
M.Ed. in School Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
87.40
/ 100
Final score
Program length
As little as 2 years
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.50 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2025-26)
Employment or doctoral admission
0% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Fall: February 1; Spring: October 1; Summer: February 1
Application process
direct
GRE
Conditional: GRE required if undergraduate GPA is below 3.0 (combined 291 for 2.80-2.99, 292 for 2.50-2.79), unless the applicant completes the low-GPA remedy (two BSU courses with B or better) or holds a master's degree
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Bridgewater State University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 87.4/100, supported by $33,585 total cost (tuition and fees) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-03-31.
# 8 position
State University of New York at New Paltz
Master
M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
86.40
/ 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
Application deadline
February 1 (Fall Admission only)
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Accredited bachelor's degree; 9 undergraduate credits in the social sciences (e.g., psychology, sociology, education); preferred coursework in abnormal psychology, personality, counseling theories, lifespan development, and statistics.
Additional requirements
Official transcripts of all undergraduate/graduate work; updated resume; response to essay admissions questions; completed dispositions self-assessment; three professional letters of recommendation; additional requirements for international students.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
State University of New York at New Paltz earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 86.4/100, supported by $34,980 total cost (tuition and fees) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2029-03-31.
# 9 position
University of Southern Maine
Master
Master of Science in Counseling: School Counseling Concentration
Delivery mode: campus
85.50
/ 100
Final score
Program length
As few as 2 years full-time, or 4 years part-time
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
2.50 - 4.00
Program completion rate
99% (2023-24)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2023-24)
Application deadline
Fall: February 15; Spring: October 1
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale); applicants below 2.5 GPA must submit a letter requesting special consideration.
Additional requirements
Online application; official transcripts; resume/CV; English proficiency scores if applicable; five essay questions (2-3 pages total); three letters of recommendation; formal interview with faculty.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
University of Southern Maine earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 85.5/100, supported by $36,120 total cost (tuition and fees) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-10-31.
# 10 position
State University of New York at Buffalo
Master
Rehabilitation Counseling, MS
Delivery mode: campus
85.20
/ 100
Final score
Program length
4 to 6 full-time semesters
Specialization
Rehabilitation Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
Additional requirements
Online application; $50 fee; two recommendation letters; unofficial transcripts; statement of intent; required interview; GRE not required (test-blind review).
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
State University of New York at Buffalo earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 85.2/100, supported by $36,559 total cost (tuition and fees) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2029-10-31.
# 11 position
University of Southern Maine
Master
Master of Science in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling Concentration
Delivery mode: campus
84.20
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Full-time: as few as 2 years; part-time: 4 years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
63 semester credits
GPA range
2.50 - 4.00
Program completion rate
99% (2023-24)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2023-24)
Application deadline
Fall: Feb 15; Spring: Oct 1
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
University of Southern Maine earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 84.2/100, supported by $37,923 total cost (tuition and fees) and 63 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-10-31.
# 12 position
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Master
Master of Education in School Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
83.90
/ 100
Final score
Program length
As little as 2 years (full- or part-time)
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
92%
Employment or doctoral admission
94%
Licensure exam pass rate
100%
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university; minimum 3.0 GPA (required per PA Dept. of Education regulations for the M.Ed. in School Counseling).
Additional requirements
Two letters of reference, writing samples, and participation in an on-campus interview with department faculty; GRE/MAT not required.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
West Chester University of Pennsylvania earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 83.9/100, supported by $38,340 total cost (tuition and fees) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2034-10-31.
# 13 position
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Master
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
83.90
/ 100
Final score
Program length
as little as 2.5 years
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
95%
Employment or doctoral admission
100%
Licensure exam pass rate
98%
Application deadline
Fall: Feb 1
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university.
Additional requirements
Undergraduate grades, two letters of reference, writing samples, and an on-campus interview with department faculty.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
West Chester University of Pennsylvania earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 83.9/100, supported by $38,340 total cost (tuition and fees) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2034-10-31.
# 14 position
Plymouth State University
Master
Counseling (M.S.) – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
83.70
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
63 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
Fall: July 1; Spring: December 15
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Completed bachelor's degree.
Additional requirements
Online application, official transcripts from all college-level work, and two professional recommendations. Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better is recommended; the program summary describes it as a requirement.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Plymouth State University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 83.7/100, supported by $38,682 total tuition (estimated) and 63 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-10-31.
# 15 position
Plymouth State University
Master
Counseling (M.S.) – School Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
83.70
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
63 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
rolling
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Completed bachelor's degree.
Additional requirements
Online application, official transcripts from all college-level work, and two professional recommendations. Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better is recommended; the program summary describes it as a requirement.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Plymouth State University earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 83.7/100, supported by $38,682 total tuition (estimated) and 63 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-10-31.
# 16 position
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Master
Master of Science in School Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
81.90
/ 100
Final score
Program length
3 years including summer courses
Specialization
School Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
Fall: Mar 1 (early), Apr 1 (regular, then rolling); Spring: Oct 1 (then rolling)
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
Completed bachelor's degree; international applicants need English proficiency scores and evaluated/translated transcripts.
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 81.9/100, supported by $41,090 total cost (tuition and fees) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-03-31.
# 17 position
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Master
M.A. in Counseling: Marriage, Couple and Family
Delivery mode: campus
81.90
/ 100
Final score
Program length
3 years including summer courses (full-time)
Specialization
Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
Fall: Mar 1 (early), Apr 1 (regular, then rolling); Spring: Oct 1 (then rolling)
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
Bachelor's transcripts with 3.0 GPA or better (or master's with 3.0+); 2 letters of recommendation (one academic if graduated within 3 years); one-page resume; 2-3 page Academic Goal Statement; English proficiency for international applicants.
Additional requirements
Completed application form, processing fee, 2 letters of recommendation (at least one academic if graduated within last 3 years), bachelor's (or master's) transcripts with 3.0+ GPA, one-page resume, 2-3 page Academic Goal Statement essay.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 81.9/100, supported by $41,090 total cost (tuition and fees) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-03-31.
# 18 position
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Master
Master of Arts in Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
81.90
/ 100
Final score
Program length
3 years full-time including summer courses
Specialization
Addiction Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
Fall: April 1; Spring: October 1
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 81.9/100, supported by $41,090 total cost (tuition and fees) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-03-31.
# 19 position
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Master
Master of Arts in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health
Delivery mode: campus
81.90
/ 100
Final score
Program length
3 years including summer courses
Specialization
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
Fall: April 1; Spring: October 1
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 81.9/100, supported by $41,090 total cost (tuition and fees) and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-03-31.
# 20 position
Geneva College
Master
M.A. in Counseling - Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
Delivery mode: campus
81.30
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree with GPA of 3.0+ expected (provisional admission possible below 3.0); basic statistics competency via CNS 504, an approved statistics course (B- or better within 5 years), or 80%+ on a statistics exam.
Additional requirements
Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended, a typed academic essay describing career goals and reasons for applying, three professional recommendations, and a resume
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Geneva College earned a Research.com Affordability Score of 81.3/100, supported by $41,940 total tuition and 60 semester credits. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-04-30.
Frequently asked questions about Counseling degree in Northeast
What is the cheapest counseling master's in the Northeast?
There is no universally cheapest choice: resident tuition, required credits, fees, aid, and placement expenses vary. Compare current full-program net-cost quotes for degrees that meet your intended credential requirements.
Is a CACREP-accredited degree required for licensure?
Requirements vary by state and credential. Check the relevant licensing board and the program's current accreditation status; CACREP recognition alone does not grant a license.
Can I become a therapist with a school counseling degree?
Do not assume so. Clinical licensure may require different coursework, supervised experience, and examinations. Ask the intended state's licensing board to evaluate the pathway before enrolling.
Can I complete a counseling master's entirely online?
Academic coursework may be online, but counseling degrees generally require supervised in-person fieldwork. Confirm placement and any campus-visit requirements before applying.
Is a counseling master's worth the cost?
It may be if it qualifies you for the work you want at a debt level you can manage. Compare total cost and forgone earnings with realistic local pay and the time needed to complete any postdegree licensing requirements.
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