10 Most Affordable Master’s in Educational Counseling Online of 2021

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Erin Gobler
Updated June 29, 2021

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Students seeking an online Master’s in Educational Counseling are often pre-service professionals interested in the diverse and challenging nature of the field. This profession regularly requires individuals to have a graduate degree in school counseling, psychology, or social work. It is considered a field that requires both certification and licensure, making it a long road for many working adults who want to reach this goal.

Online graduate programs in educational counseling are a great alternative for working professionals who cannot attend a traditional program. With flexible term schedules, the possibility for accelerated degree programs, financial aid options, and even many schools now providing a flat tuition rate for all online degrees, it is now possible for students to choose how and when they earn their degree. The following ranks provide all of this information and more for students who may be considering furthering their education.

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These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online graduate degree programs. Figuring out where to apply? Consider one of these online Master’s or PhD programs.

Most Affordable Online Educational Counseling Master’s

  1. Southern Arkansas University
    Location

    Magnolia, AR

    Tuition

    $5312

    South Arkansas University is a public university established in 1909 in Magnolia, Arkansas. The school was originally founded as an agricultural high school, and eventually added college coursework. In 1937, the school discontinued its high school programs and only focused on higher education. Southern Arkansas University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

    • Graduation rate: 39%
    • School status: Public
    • Tuition cost: $$
    • Number of programs offered: 70+
    • City location: Magnolia, AR
    • Admission requirements: Bachelor’s degree, GPA of 2.5 or GPA of 2.75 for the last 60 hours of undergraduate work
    • Standardized test scores/requirements: GMAT and GRE scores currently waived for the College of Education
    • Contact: 870-325-4000
    • Website
  2. North Carolina State University
    Location

    Raleigh, NC

    Tuition

    $7773

    North Carolina State University was founded in 1887 as the North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, the school is the largest in the state’s university system. It excels in education in science, technology, engineering, and math and educates more than 36,000 undergraduate and graduate students. North Carolina State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

    • Graduation rate: 78%
    • School status: Public
    • Tuition cost: $$
    • Number of programs offered: 300+
    • City location: Raleigh, NC
    • Admission requirements: Bachelor’s degree, letters of recommendation
    • Standardized test scores/requirements: GMAT and GRE scores currently waived for the College of Education
    • Contact: 919-515-5514
    • Website
  3. Emporia State University
    Location

    Emporia, KS

    Tuition

    $8238

    Emporia State University is a public university that was established in Emporia, Kansas in 1863. The school is the third-oldest public university in the state and the seventh-largest school of higher education in the state, with roughly 5.800 students enrolled. Emporia State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

    • Graduation rate: 48%
    • School status: Public
    • Tuition cost: $$
    • Number of programs offered: 200+
    • City location: Emporia, KS
    • Admission requirements: Bachelor’s degree, undergraduate GPA of 3.0 overall or 3.24 for the last 60 semester hours, work experience, letters of recommendation, faculty interview
    • Standardized test scores/requirements: GRE and GMAT not required
    • Contact: 620-341-5220
    • Website
  4. Chadron State College
    Location

    Chadron, NE

    Tuition

    $8370

    Chadron State College is a public college established in 1911 in Chadron, Nebraska. It is one of just three public colleges in the state, and the only one located in western Nebraska. The school is known for its open admission policy, meaning it accepts all applicants who qualify. Chadron State College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

    • Graduation rate: 43%
    • School status: Public
    • Tuition cost: $$
    • Number of programs offered: 50+
    • City location: Chadron, NE
    • Admission requirements: Bachelor’s degree, entrance interview
    • Standardized test scores/requirements: GRE and GMAT not required
    • Contact: 800-242-3766
    • Website
  5. Angelo State University
    Location

    San Angelo, TX

    Tuition

    $8428

    Angelo State University is a public university established in 1928 in San Angelo, Texas. The school is a part of the Texas Tech University system and serves more than 10,000 students. The school was originally founded as a regional junior college but now has become one of the top schools in the state. Angelo State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

    • Graduation rate: 40%
    • School status: Public
    • Tuition cost: $$
    • Number of programs offered: 100+
    • City location: San Angelo, TX
    • Admission requirements: Bachelor’s degree, undergraduate GPA of 2.75, two years teaching experience
    • Standardized test scores/requirements: GRE and GMAT not required
    • Contact: 800-946-8627
    • Website
  6. Texas A&M University
    Location

    College Station, TX

    Tuition

    $9430

    Texas A&M University is a public land-grant research university founded in 1876 in College Station, Texas. The school was the state’s first public institution of higher learning, and today is the flagship university in the Texas A&M system. The school serves roughly 70,000 students. Texas A&M University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

    • Graduation rate: 81%
    • School status: Public
    • Tuition cost: $$
    • Number of programs offered: 400+
    • City location: College Station, TX
    • Admission requirements: Bachelor’s degree, undergraduate GPA of 3.0, letters of recommendation, two years classroom teaching experience
    • Standardized test scores/requirements: GRE and GMAT not required
    • Contact: 979-845-1831
    • Website
  7. The University of Tennessee at Martin
    Location

    Martin, TN

    Tuition

    $10296

    The University of Tennessee at Martin is a public university established in 1927 in Martin, Tennessee. The school is one of five in the state’s public university system, and until 2011, it was the only one in the western part of the state outside of Memphis. Today the school serves roughly 7,100 students. The University of Tennessee at Martin is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

    • Graduation rate: 50%
    • School status: Public
    • Tuition cost: $$$
    • Number of programs offered: 100+
    • City location: Martin, TN
    • Admission requirements: Bachelor’s degree, letters of recommendation, personal essay, professional resume
    • Standardized test scores/requirements: GRE and GMAT not required
    • Contact: 731-881-7128
    • Website
  8. The University of West Alabama
    Location

    Livingston, AL

    Tuition

    $10396

    The University of West Alabama is a public university established in 1835 in Livingston, Alabama. The school was originally founded as a church-sponsored school for women. The school has changed its name many times throughout its history, as it has transitioned from a religious school to a public university, and from female-only to co-ed. The University of West Alameda is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

    •  Graduation rate: 31%
    • School status: Public
    • Tuition cost: $$$
    • Number of programs offered: 70+
    • City location: Livingston, AL
    • Admission requirements: Bachelor’s degree, professional resume, goals essay, letters of recommendations, video interview
    • Standardized test scores/requirements: GRE and GMAT not required
    • Contact: 844-361-6034
    • Website:
  9. The University of Louisiana at Monroe
    Location

    Monroe, LA

    Tuition

    $12000

    The University of Louisiana at Monroe is a public university established in 1931 in Monroe, Louisiana. The school is a part of the state’s public university system. It was originally founded as a junior college and later became a public university. The school currently serves more than 9,000 students. The University of Louisiana at Monroe is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

    • Graduation rate: 41%
    • School status: Public
    • Tuition cost: $$$
    • Number of programs offered: 40+
    • City location: Monroe, LA
    • Admission requirements: Bachelor’s degree, graduate GPA of 3.50 or undergraduate GPA of 2.75, professional resume, letter of interest, letters of recommendation, interview
    • Standardized test scores/requirements: GRE score of 300 or higher with a GPA of lower than 2.75
    • Contact: 318-342-1246
    • Website
  10. Salem College
    Location

    Winston-Salem, NC

    Tuition

    $12000

    Salem College was established in 1772 as a school for women and girls in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The school is the oldest women’s college in the southern United States, though it now admits men ages 23 years and older for its continuing education programs. Today, the school serves about 1,100 students. Salem College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

    • Graduation rate: 56%
    • School status: Private
    • Tuition cost: $$$
    • Number of programs offered: 40+
    • City location: Winston-Salem, NC
    • Admission requirements: Bachelor’s degree, undergraduate GPA of 3.0, writing sample, professional references
    • Standardized test scores/requirements: GRE and GMAT not required
    • Contact: 336-721-2660
    • Website

What can you do with a master’s degree in educational counseling?

A master’s degree in educational counseling prepares you to become a school counselor. With this degree, you can typically work as a counselor in an elementary, middle, or high school setting. You may also be able to work as a guidance counselor at a community college or four-year school.

How much can you earn with a master’s degree in educational counseling?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for school counselors was about $58,120 per year as of 2020. The top 10% of school counselors earned about $97,910 per year during the same time period.

Is a master’s in educational counseling worth it?

A job as a school counselor requires a master’s degree, so if you’re interested in pursuing a career in this field, a master’s in educational counseling will be worth it to you.

What do you need to get into a master’s in educational counseling program?

To get into a master’s program in educational counseling, you’ll typically need a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA set by the program, letters of recommendation, and work experience. Some schools may also require GRE scores.

Erin Gobler picture

Erin Gobler

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Erin Gobler is a freelance writer who covers education topics for Best Value Schools, Graduate School Hub, and Criminal Justice Degree Schools, among others. Her work has been published on sites like Fox Business, Rocket Mortgage, and The Balance.

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GradSchoolHub.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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