Best and Affordable Mental Health Counseling Programs in Delaware
Three nonprofit colleges and universities in Delaware grant master’s degrees in mental health counseling (MHC), clinical mental health counseling (CMHC), or a related field.1 All three offer coursework in an online or hybrid format, which gives students who need scheduling flexibility an alternative to full-time, on-campus study. Below is a breakdown of each program, along with how to earn Delaware’s Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health (LPCMH) credential, an overview of the counseling job market across the state, MHC salary in the state, and related professional organizations.
Table of Contents
- Delaware MHC Program Comparison
- Best MHC Programs
- Most Affordable MHC Programs
- Online MHC Programs
- Delaware MHC Salary and Outlook Information
- Additional Resources
Comparison of Delaware Schools With Mental Health Counseling Programs
The table below compares the three Delaware mental health counseling programs on key factors, including accreditation status, institution type, program format, US News & World Report rankings, in-state and out-of-state tuition, and total number of credit hours required. All institutions listed below are not-for-profit. If we’ve missed a Delaware school with a mental health counseling program, please let us know. For more information on these schools, please visit our Delaware counseling degrees page, master’s in mental health counseling degree guide, or individual school websites.
| School Name | Accreditation2,3 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware State University | — | MS Clinical Psychology: Counseling | Online | — | $455 | $455 | 60 |
| Goldey-Beacom College | — | MA Counseling Psychology (MACP) | Hybrid; Online | — | $725 | $725 | 60 |
| Wilmington University | CACREP | MS CMHC | Hybrid | #395-#434 | $564 | $564 | 60 |
Best Mental Health Counseling Programs in Delaware
The school below offers the top-ranked mental health counseling program in Delaware, as determined by program accreditation and third-party school ratings. Tiebreakers are determined by total in-state program cost.
Wilmington University
Wilmington University (WilmU) houses its 60-credit CACREP-accredited Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) within the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at its New Castle, Delaware campus. It is built around a three-year sequence: roughly two years of counseling coursework followed by a year of clinical training through practicum and internship. WilmU delivers the program in a digital-hybrid format that combines synchronous online sessions, asynchronous coursework through Canvas, and in-person meetings, with semester-length classes typically meeting one evening a week and some courses scheduled in weekend modules. Graduates are prepared to sit for the National Counselor Examination (NCE), and after completing Delaware’s post-master’s requirement of 3,200 hours of supervised experience, they can pursue licensure as an LPCMH in the state.
Most Affordable Mental Health Counseling Programs in Delaware
The following three 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 of interest 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. Tuition shown is the lowest per-credit rate published as of the most recent catalog; confirm totals with each school.
- Delaware State University ($27,300)
- Wilmington University ($33,840)
- Goldey-Beacom College ($43,500)
Online Mental Health Counseling Programs in Delaware
The following schools offer online or hybrid degrees in mental health counseling:
- Delaware State University (Online)
- Goldey-Beacom College (Hybrid; Online)
- Wilmington University (Hybrid)
Delaware Mental Health Counselor Salary and Outlook Information
Projections for Delaware mental health counselors are better than national trends, with an expected growth rate of 20.6% in the state compared to 16.8% nationwide.5 This growth is likely to result in an average of 140 annual openings in Delaware through 2034.5 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 | 1,700 | $36,940 | $43,760 | $56,020 | $64,790 | $80,710 |
| Dover | 220 | $32,500 | $47,940 | $60,990 | $82,210 | $88,920 |
Additional Resources
- Counseling Degrees Guide: Explore counseling degree options by level and specialization, including online and on-campus programs.
- 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.
- Delaware Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals: The state licensing authority for mental health counselors, operating under the Division of Professional Regulation (DPR), with information on the LPCMH and related credentials, applications through the DELPROS system, regulations, and renewals.
- Delaware Counseling Schools: Find counseling programs in Delaware, including on-campus, online, and hybrid options.
- Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH): Delaware’s public behavioral health agency, housed within the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), which funds and administers mental health and substance use treatment services for adults across the state.
- Delaware LPCMH Licensing Process: Step-by-step guidance on becoming licensed in Delaware, including education, supervised experience, and examination requirements.
- Mental Health Association in Delaware: A statewide nonprofit that promotes mental health across Delaware through education, advocacy, and support services.
- Mental Health Counselor Career Guide: An overview of the counseling profession, including job duties, required skills, and common work environments.
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 2025 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm