Best and Affordable Mental Health Counseling Programs in California
This page highlights California mental health counseling (MHC) programs and careers. Thirty-two not-for-profit schools in the state offer on-campus and online options.1 We feature affordable, well-regarded programs that prepare graduates for the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) credential, plus salary data, career outlooks, and other resources.
Table of Contents
- California MHC Program Comparison
- Best MHC Programs
- Most Affordable MHC Programs
- Online MHC Programs
- California MHC Salary and Outlook Information
- Additional Resources
Comparison of California Schools With Mental Health Counseling Programs
The table below compares 32 California MHC programs by accreditation, format, rankings, tuition, and required credits. All listed schools are not-for-profit. For more details, see our California counseling degrees page, master’s in mental health counseling degree guide, or individual school websites.
| School Name | Accreditation1-3 | MHC Degrees Offered | Program Format | US News National Rank4 | In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour | Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour | Total Credit Hours Req’d |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azusa Pacific University | — | MS Counseling Psychology | Online | #266 tie | $800 | $800 | 60 |
| California Baptist University | — | MS Counseling Psychology | Online | — | $839 | $839 | 63 |
| California State University-Bakersfield | — | MS Counseling Psychology | Traditional | — | $390 | $834 | 66 |
| California State University-East Bay | — | MS Counseling | Traditional | #273 tie | $390 | $834 | 60 |
| California State University-Fresno | CACREP | MS Clinical Rehab and MHC | Traditional | #179 tie | $390 | $834 | 60 |
| California State University-Fullerton | CACREP | MS CMHC & MFT | Traditional | #136 tie | $390 | $834 | 63 |
| California State University-Long Beach | — | MS Counseling Psychology | Traditional | #109 tie | $390 | $834 | 65 |
| California State University-Los Angeles | CACREP | MS Counseling: School Based Family Counseling | Traditional | — | $390 | $834 | 60 |
| California State University-Northridge | CACREP; COAMFTE | MS Counseling: LPCC | Traditional | — | $390 | $834 | 69 |
| California State University-San Bernardino | CACREP | MS Counseling: Professional Counseling | Traditional | #171 tie | $390 | $834 | 60 |
| Chapman University | COAMFTE | MA Counseling: Professional Clinical Counseling; MA Educational Technology: Professional Clinical Counseling | Traditional | #121 tie | $1,130 | $1,130 | 60 |
| Concordia University-Irvine | CACREP | MA Counseling | Online | #342 tie | $695 | $695 | 60 |
| Hope International University | COAMFTE | MS Counseling | Online | — | $675 | $675 | 61 |
| La Sierra University | — | MA Counseling | Traditional | — | $730 | $730 | 60 |
| Loma Linda University | COAMFTE | MS Counseling | Traditional | — | $1,564 | $1,564 | 60 |
| Loyola Marymount University | — | MA Counseling | Hybrid | #91 tie | $1,726 | $1,726 | 60 |
| National University | — | MA Counseling Psychology: MFT/LPCC | Online | — | $766 | $766 | 60 |
| Notre Dame de Namur University | — | MS Clinical Psychology | Online | — | $1,028 | $1,028 | 67 |
| Palo Alto University | CACREP | MA CMHC | Online | — | $652 | $652 | 61 |
| Saint Mary’s College of California | — | MA Counseling | Traditional | — | $1,300 | $1,300 | 68 |
| San Diego State University | CACREP, COAMFTE | MS Early Childhood & Family Clinical Counseling; MS Rehabilitation Counseling | Traditional; Online | #109 tie | $891 | $891 | 60 |
| San Francisco State University | CACREP | MS CMHC | Traditional | #204 tie | $368 | $368 | 60 |
| San Jose State University | — | MS CMHC | Traditional | — | $390 | $834 | 60 |
| Saybrook University | CACREP | MA CMHC | Hybrid | — | $1,446 | $1,446 | 60 |
| Sonoma State University | MPCAC | MA CMHC | Traditional | — | $676 | $1,096 | 60 |
| The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Anaheim | — | MA CMHC; MA Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy: LPCC | Online; Hybrid | — | $1,458 | $1,458 | 64 |
| The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Los Angeles | CACREP; COAMFTE | MA CMHC; MA Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy: LPCC | Online; Hybrid | — | $1,458 | $1,458 | 64 |
| The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at San Diego | — | MA CMHC; MA Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy: LPCC | Online; Hybrid | — | $1,458 | $1,458 | 64 |
| University of Massachusetts Global | — | MA Professional Clinical Counseling | Online | — | $750 | $750 | 63 |
| University of Redlands | — | MA CMHC | Traditional | — | $905 | $905 | 60 |
| University of San Diego | CACREP, COAMFTE | MA CMHC | Traditional | #109 tie | $1,700 | $1,700 | 60 |
| William Jessup University | — | MA Counseling Psychology | Traditional | — | $660 | $660 | 63 |
Best Mental Health Counseling Programs in California
The schools below offer the top-ranked mental health counseling programs in California, as determined by program accreditation and third-party school ratings. Tiebreakers are determined by total in-state program cost.
San Diego State University
San Diego State University (SDSU) offers two Master of Science (MS) programs that meet California educational requirements for the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) credential. The Early Childhood and Family Clinical Counseling program is a 60-unit, in-person degree emphasizing neuro-relational, family-centered practice with young children and their families, delivered in a cohort format with practicum beginning in the second year. The Rehabilitation Counseling program, offered on campus or online, is a 60-unit concentration in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling that integrates coursework in trauma counseling, psychopharmacology, and rehabilitation theory with supervised clinical training. Graduates of either program are eligible to register as Associate Professional Clinical Counselors (APCC) and pursue full LPCC licensure in California after completing required post-degree supervised hours and passing the required examinations.
University of San Diego
University of San Diego (USD) offers a Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling with a Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) specialization. This 60-unit, CACREP-accredited, on-campus program meets the educational requirements for LPCC Intern status in California. Students complete core and specialized clinical coursework along with a minimum of 700 supervised practicum and internship hours over three semesters. The program also includes a public capstone research defense and an international experience to build cultural competency. Admission requires official transcripts, a resume, a statement of purpose, and three professional letters of recommendation, with no GRE required.
Chapman University
Chapman University offers two graduate programs through its Attallah College of Educational Studies that prepare students for the LPCC credential. The Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling: Professional Clinical Counseling is a 60-unit, campus-based program that provides the academic and clinical training required for LPCC licensure, including coursework across the 13 core content areas and supervised practicum and internship experiences. Chapman also offers the Master of Arts (MA) in Educational Technology: Professional Clinical Counseling, a 60-unit program that integrates training in technology-enhanced learning with clinical counseling coursework. Both programs are designed to prepare graduates for APCC registration with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) and eventual full LPCC licensure upon completion of post-degree supervised hours and examinations.
California State University-Fullerton
California State University-Fullerton (CSUF) offers a Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) and Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) through University Extension. This 63-unit, CACREP-accredited, part-time evening program is delivered in a cohort format and prepares graduates for licensure as both an LPCC and LMFT in California. Students attend classes twice per week in the evenings and begin supervised clinical practicum in community mental health settings mid-program, with placements lasting about 18 months at 15–20 hours per week. Admission requires a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, prerequisite coursework, three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, a CV or resume, and a faculty interview; the GRE is not required.
California State University-San Bernardino
California State University-San Bernardino (CSUSB) offers a Master of Science (MS) in Counseling with a Professional Counseling concentration designed to fulfill California’s LPCC educational requirements. This 60-unit, on-campus, three-year program uses a cohort model and emphasizes narrative and postmodern frameworks grounded in social justice, with coursework in areas such as crisis and trauma, family and group counseling, psychopharmacology, diagnosis, and conflict resolution. Graduates are eligible to apply for an LPCC intern number through the BBS. Admission requires a minimum GPA of 3.0, attendance at an information session, a personal statement, a resume, and three letters of recommendation.
Other Notable Programs
- California State University-Fresno
- San Francisco State University
- Concordia University-Irvine
Most Affordable Mental Health Counseling Programs in California
The following 10 schools offer the most cost-effective mental health counseling degrees, based on their minimum tuition, not including additional fees. Required credit hours may differ depending on the concentration area, so be sure to check with schools for more details on specific program options. For a detailed comparison, you can refer to the comparison table above to find the quality indicators that align with your needs.
- San Francisco State University ($22,080)
- California State University-East Bay ($23,400)
- California State University-Fresno ($23,400)
- California State University-Los Angeles ($23,400)
- California State University-San Bernardino ($23,400)
- San Jose State University ($23,400)
- California State University-Fullerton ($24,570)
- California State University-Long Beach ($25,350)
- California State University-Bakersfield ($25,740)
- California State University-Northridge ($26,910)
Online Mental Health Counseling Programs in California
The following schools offer online or hybrid degrees in mental health counseling:
- Azusa Pacific University (Online)
- California Baptist University (Online)
- Concordia University-Irvine (Online)
- Hope International University (Online)
- Loyola Marymount University (Hybrid)
- National University (Online)
- Notre Dame de Namur University (Online)
- Palo Alto University (Online)
- Saybrook University (Hybrid)
- The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Anaheim (Online; Hybrid)
- The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Los Angeles (Online; Hybrid)
- The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at San Diego (Online; Hybrid)
- University of Massachusetts Global (Online)
California Mental Health Counselor Salary and Outlook Information
California mental health counseling jobs are projected to grow 22.3% through 2032, outpacing the 18.4% national average and creating about 6,520 openings per year.5 The table below shows salaries by metro area for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors, compared to the statewide average.
| City | Number Employed6 | 10th Percentile Salary6 | 25th Percentile Salary6 | 50th Percentile (Median) Salary6 | 75th Percentile Salary6 | 90th Percentile Salary6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide | 63,110 | $44,190 | $47,650 | $61,310 | $90,370 | $118,970 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | 1,690 | $44,460 | $50,000 | $59,520 | $74,070 | $101,690 |
| Chico | 380 | $45,970 | $46,330 | $62,420 | $77,050 | $99,560 |
| El Centro | 160 | $44,210 | $48,190 | $65,520 | $86,220 | $100,980 |
| Fresno | 1,940 | $40,510 | $46,790 | $60,640 | $84,190 | $103,390 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | 190 | $45,290 | $57,740 | $76,240 | $83,830 | $100,770 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 23,330 | $43,520 | $47,210 | $58,880 | $84,030 | $111,860 |
| Merced | 300 | $40,240 | $48,570 | $59,840 | $77,480 | $98,710 |
| Modesto | 800 | $40,940 | $46,100 | $62,300 | $97,110 | $126,190 |
| Napa | 190 | $47,170 | $57,330 | $73,960 | $86,440 | $107,720 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | 1,090 | $41,870 | $46,450 | $63,260 | $81,730 | $116,080 |
| Redding | 330 | $38,390 | $44,490 | $55,410 | $73,340 | $93,220 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 5,170 | $42,120 | $47,490 | $60,860 | $78,210 | $101,750 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | 3,570 | $44,490 | $48,860 | $69,510 | $99,790 | $129,050 |
| Salinas | 640 | $44,870 | $47,560 | $61,350 | $86,500 | $103,250 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 5,010 | $43,640 | $47,530 | $58,690 | $79,380 | $110,530 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 8,080 | $46,430 | $54,110 | $72,950 | $108,410 | $135,880 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | 2,520 | $49,770 | $57,200 | $74,670 | $94,970 | $123,020 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | 510 | $44,260 | $46,900 | $59,990 | $102,520 | $102,520 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | 470 | $41,020 | $47,250 | $58,310 | $75,230 | $97,790 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | 800 | $45,270 | $49,210 | $72,380 | $94,590 | $109,530 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | 690 | $46,680 | $51,910 | $63,130 | $97,300 | $140,280 |
| Stockton-Lodi | 1,050 | $45,790 | $55,590 | $67,700 | $103,740 | $129,020 |
| Vallejo | 570 | $43,870 | $50,850 | $74,210 | $104,290 | $132,960 |
| Visalia | 560 | $43,140 | $48,630 | $62,840 | $89,570 | $115,860 |
| Yuba City | 260 | $41,740 | $50,670 | $61,670 | $76,850 | $100,760 |
Additional Resources
- California Association for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (CALPCC): Professional membership association that advocates for LPCCs, provides continuing education, and advances the counseling profession in California.
- California Association of Mental Health Peer-Run Organizations (CAMHPRO): A coalition supporting peer-run mental health programs, advocacy, and leadership statewide.
- California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS): Provides licensing information and requirements for the LPCC credential and many others in the state.
- California Counseling Association (CCA): A statewide branch of the American Counseling Association (ACA) that connects counselors across specialties, offering conferences, networking, and professional development.
- California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), Mental Health Services Division: Oversees statewide public mental health and substance use disorder services, programs, and policy.
- California LPCC Licensing Process: Step-by-step information on how to become a licensed mental health counselor in California.
- Counseling Interviews and Advice: Read our interviews page for career advice from experienced clinical mental health counselors.
- Counseling School Accreditation Information: Learn about accreditation at both the institutional and program levels.
- Mental Health Counselor Career Guide: An overview of the counseling profession, including job duties, skills, and work settings.
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, Accredited Programs: https://www.cacrep.org/directory/
3. Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council Accredited Programs: https://mpcacaccreditation.org/accredited-programs/
4. US News & World Report 2025 Best National University Rankings: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities
5. Projections Central, Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/longterm
6. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm