Best Online Bachelor’s of Counseling Degree Programs for 2025

Badge for BEST ONLINE BACHELOR'S IN COUNSELING

Published: Jun 22, 2021
Updated: Aug 29, 2024

Find top-ranked online bachelor’s in counseling degree programs in the US to prepare students to become professional counselors.

Key Takeaways

Counseling is an important discipline that requires professionals to be patient and active listeners and communicators.
Undergraduate counseling students gain fundamental knowledge of the discipline, and learn research strategies that qualify them for administrative work.
While a bachelor’s program in counseling gives your career a headstart, a master’s degree is required to become a licensed professional counselor.

Top 10 Online Bachelor's in Counseling Degrees

University of Cincinnati
Regent University
Lipscomb University
Faulkner University
Methodist University
Southwestern Assemblies of God University
Paine College
East Central University
Peru State College
Bay Path University

University of Cincinnati
Regent University
Lipscomb University
Faulkner University
Methodist University
Southwestern Assemblies of God University
Paine College
East Central University
Peru State College
Bay Path University

Columbia College 98%
University of Cincinnati 86%
Southwestern Assemblies of God University 86%
Faulkner University 82%
Methodist University 76%
Bay Path University 76%
Lipscomb University 71%
East Central University 70%
Arizona Christian University 70%
Toccoa Falls College 68%

Regent University 21 to 1
Peru State College 20 to 1
University of Cincinnati 18 to 1
East Central University 17 to 1
Lindsey Wilson College 17 to 1
Southwestern Assemblies of God University 17 to 1
Toccoa Falls College 17 to 1
Colorado Christian University 16 to 1
Arizona Christian University 15 to 1
Faulkner University 13 to 1

Methodist University $38,138
Lipscomb University $37,152
Bay Path University $35,781
Arizona Christian University $31,650
Union College $30,946
Lindsey Wilson College $26,228
Faulkner University $23,920
Kentucky Christian University $23,700
Ohio Christian University $23,050
Toccoa Falls College $22,350

Methodist University $39,825
Bay Path University $19,235
Lipscomb University $17,370
Regent University $16,028
Faulkner University $15,325
Colorado Christian University $13,931
Columbia College $13,232
University of Cincinnati $13,224
Toccoa Falls College $12,240
Ohio Christian University $11,160

Union College
Ohio Christian University
Columbia College
Lindsey Wilson College
Arizona Christian University
Kentucky Christian University
Toccoa Falls College
Colorado Christian University
Bay Path University
Peru State College

Ohio Christian University
Columbia College
Lindsey Wilson College
Arizona Christian University
Union College
Toccoa Falls College
Kentucky Christian University
Colorado Christian University
Bay Path University
Peru State College

Regent University 32%
Kentucky Christian University 44%
Paine College 52%
Union College 53%
Toccoa Falls College 68%
Arizona Christian University 70%
East Central University 70%
Lipscomb University 71%
Bay Path University 76%
Methodist University 76%

Ohio Christian University 8 to 1
Union College 9 to 1
Methodist University 9 to 1
Paine College 10 to 1
Columbia College 11 to 1
Bay Path University 11 to 1
Faulkner University 13 to 1
Lipscomb University 13 to 1
Kentucky Christian University 13 to 1
Arizona Christian University 15 to 1

East Central University $6,001
Peru State College $7,920
University of Cincinnati $10,656
Paine College $14,596
Colorado Christian University $17,476
Southwestern Assemblies of God University $17,782
Regent University $19,680
Columbia College $22,050
Toccoa Falls College $22,350
Ohio Christian University $23,050

East Central University $4,555
Kentucky Christian University $4,950
Southwestern Assemblies of God University $8,280
Peru State College $9,120
Lindsey Wilson College $9,635
Union College $11,040
Ohio Christian University $11,160
Toccoa Falls College $12,240
University of Cincinnati $13,224
Columbia College $13,232

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or last ground for the 2025 school year.

The University of Cincinnati has remained in the top position for the past 2 years. While Lipscomb University moved down a position, Regent University raised three positions to take second place.

Table of Contents

Featured Programs

Best Online Bachelor’s in Counseling Degree Programs 2025

Career Outlook for Students with Counseling Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Counseling Psychology

Degree Level: Bachelor's

Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
Avg. Cost of Degree*: $7,923
Avg. Expenses*: $14,802
Avg. Starting Salary*: $30,554
Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $41,828
Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 11 years
Job Growth: 6.50%
Number of Jobs: 1,476,300
* denotes ‘annually’
** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

Career	Job Growth	Avg. Salary
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists	5.81%	$147,420
Human Resources Managers	6.51%	$136,350
Managers, All Other	5.75%	$133,560
Training and Development Managers	7.41%	$125,040
Psychologists, All Other	4.95%	$117,750
Management Analysts	10.60%	$99,410
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists	13.28%	$96,100
School Psychologists	0.76%	$84,940
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary	4.89%	$82,140
Human Resources Specialists	7.95%	$67,650

Top Industries

Industry	Avg. Salary
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists	$147,420
Human Resources Managers	$136,350
Managers, All Other	$133,560
Training and Development Managers	$125,040
Psychologists, All Other	$117,750
Management Analysts	$99,410
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists	$96,100
School Psychologists	$84,940
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary	$82,140
Human Resources Specialists	$67,650

Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Department of Education College Scorecard, The Department of Education NCES, and The Council for Community and Economic Research.

Exploring Counseling As A Degree and Career Path

If you have a desire to help people overcome life’s challenges and hopefully improve their lives, consider a bachelor’s degree in counseling. Graduates of online bachelor’s in counseling can join the workforce as social workers, abuse counselors, probation officers, and community service managers.

For others, a degree in counseling is a pathway to earning a graduate degree and licensure as a family and marriage therapist, school counselor, or mental health counselor.

There is a constant high demand for professionals in this area. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, between 2020 and 2030, the demand for community service managers will grow by 12%, and a 22% demand for substance abuse counselors.

Counseling Degree Career Paths

Substance Abuse Counselor: Also called addiction counselors, substance abuse counselors handle and care for people who are struggling with addictions to alcohol, drugs, sex, and gambling. These professionals also help individuals with eating disorders and other common behavioral issues.

Counselors develop individualized treatment plans that teach their clients effective coping methods and guide them in discovering the underlying triggers of their addictions. Note that counseling degree professionals who plan to go into private practice must have a master’s degree and a license.

Social and Community Service Manager: These managers supervise community programs that support groups and individuals. They serve a very diverse group of people, including veterans, children, and people who are dealing with specific challenges like hunger, homelessness, or substance abuse.

Other duties include hiring and supervising employees, creating and managing programs, and assessing these programs for efficiency. Although most of these roles only require a bachelor’s in counseling, some positions require a master’s degree.

Probation Officer: Probation officers assist and support people who are under probation. They make and implement rehabilitation plans, provide supervision and resources, and regularly check progress. These professionals work closely with courts, law enforcement, and social service agencies.

Probation officers can also provide other services like support for people struggling with addictions, or career training. In most jurisdictions, probation officers should have completed professional training at a state police academy.

Career Counselor: Career counselors are trained and knowledgeable in helping people identify possible career options and qualifications. By assessing education and training and using aptitude evaluations, career counselors can help people find suitable jobs. These professionals are often seen working at colleges, social service offices, staffing agencies, or private practice.

Online Bachelor’s in Counseling: What to Expect

Students who complete counseling programs need strong communication skills, empathy, and patience. Online counseling programs take 3-4 years, and 120-130 credits of full-time study to complete. While many schools strongly focus on the online bachelor’s program, there are also institutions that offer a combination of bachelor’s and master’s in counseling, allowing students to earn these degrees in just 5 years.

Concentrations of the Online Bachelor’s in Counseling:

Addiction
Mental Health
Human Services
Child and Adolescent Development
Christian Counseling

Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling Degrees

A bachelor’s degree in counseling is an excellent program for those with patience, compassion, and the desire to help others.

Whether students choose to earn their bachelor’s in counseling online or on campus, they can expect to take courses in psychology, sociology, human development, and psychotherapy.

Earning a bachelor’s in counseling requires between 120-129 credits, which most students complete in four to five years.

Though most counseling-related positions require a master’s degree in counseling and a few years of supervised clinical work, students with an undergraduate degree in counseling can gain experience as research or administrative assistants to psychologists. Those who earn their bachelor’s degree in counseling, however, typically go on to choose a specialty and earn their master’s.

How We Rank the Best Online Bachelor of Counseling Programs

What’s in an online bachelor’s degree in counseling program and when can it be considered an “excellent” option for students? The answer lies in, among other things, the comprehensiveness of the coursework!

Excellent coursework allows students pursuing mental health counseling and similar other types of counseling concentrations to obtain the counseling skills and academic knowledge of the program to prepare them for a graduate degree or entry-level practice.

Professional counselors make up the faculty and teaching staff of the online counseling degree programs on our list. With experienced teachers, students learn only from the best!

The online programs that we’ve listed in this article are also regionally accredited, which means they are compliant with academic standards and offer students a superior learning environment and experience.

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Best Online Bachelor’s of Counseling Degree Programs for 2025

Key Takeaways

Top 10 Online Bachelor's in Counseling Degrees

2025 Ranking Update

Featured Programs

Best Online Bachelor’s in Counseling Degree Programs 2025

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at University of Cincinnati

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Regent University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Lipscomb University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Faulkner University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Methodist University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Southwestern Assemblies of God University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Paine College

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at East Central University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Peru State College

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Bay Path University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Colorado Christian University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Toccoa Falls College

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Kentucky Christian University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Arizona Christian University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Lindsey Wilson College

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Columbia College

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Ohio Christian University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Union College, Kentucky

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Students with Counseling Degree

Counseling Psychology

Degree Level: Bachelor's

Career Salaries

Top Industries

Exploring Counseling As A Degree and Career Path

Counseling Degree Career Paths

Online Bachelor’s in Counseling: What to Expect

Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling Degrees

Why get a bachelor’s in counseling?

What courses are required when getting a bachelor’s in counseling?

How long does it take to get a bachelor’s in counseling?

What can you do after getting a bachelor’s in counseling?

How We Rank the Best Online Bachelor of Counseling Programs