Best and Affordable Mental Health Counseling Programs in Minnesota
This page highlights Minnesota mental health counseling (MHC) programs and careers. Eleven not-for-profit schools in the state offer on-campus and online MHC or clinical mental health counseling (CMHC) programs.1 We feature affordable, well-regarded options that prepare graduates for Minnesota’s Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) credentials, along with salary data, career outlooks, and other resources.
Table of Contents
- Minnesota MHC Program Comparison
- Best MHC Programs
- Most Affordable MHC Programs
- Online MHC Programs
- Minnesota MHC Salary and Outlook Information
- Additional Resources
Comparison of Minnesota Schools With Mental Health Counseling Programs
The table below compares 11 Minnesota mental health counseling (MHC) programs by accreditation, format, rankings, tuition, and required credits. All listed schools are not-for-profit. For more details, see our Minnesota counseling degrees page, master’s in mental health counseling degree guide, or individual school websites.
| School Name | Accreditation1-4 | MHC Degrees Offered | Program Format | US News National Rank5 | In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour | Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour | Total Credit Hours Req’d |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adler Graduate School | CACREP | MA Counseling: CMHC | Online/Hybrid | — | $1,576 | $1,576 | 60 |
| Bethany Lutheran College | — | MA CMHC | Hybrid | — | $600 | $600 | 60 |
| Bethel University | CACREP | MA Counseling: CMHC | Traditional | #220 tie | $618 | $618 | 60 |
| Crown College | — | MA Counseling | Online | — | $635 | $635 | 60 |
| Minnesota State University Mankato | CACREP | MS Counseling and Student Personnel: MHC | Traditional | — | $548 | $795 | 60 |
| Minnesota State University Moorhead | CACREP | MS Counseling | Hybrid | — | $619 | $619 | 60 |
| Saint Cloud State University | CACREP | MS CMHC | Hybrid | — | $564 | $564 | 61 |
| Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota | — | MA Counseling and Psychological Services | Online | #296 tie | $655 | $655 | 60 |
| University of Minnesota | CACREP | MA Counselor Education: CMHC | Traditional | — | $1,774 | $2,796 | 60 |
| University of St. Thomas | — | MS CMHC | Traditional | — | $700 | $700 | 60 |
| Winona State University | CACREP | MS CMHC | Online/Hybrid | — | $530 | $800 | 60 |
Best Mental Health Counseling Programs in Minnesota
The schools below offer the top-ranked mental health counseling programs in Minnesota, as determined by program accreditation and third-party school ratings. Tiebreakers are determined by total in-state program cost.
Bethel University
Bethel University in St. Paul offers a Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling. The 60-credit program is CACREP-accredited and takes about three years to complete with evening, face-to-face classes. Students complete a year-long clinical practicum and internship sequence. The degree meets Minnesota educational requirements for both the LPC and LPCC credentials. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA and at least nine credit hours in the behavioral or social sciences. Additional requirements include a resume, statement of purpose, references, and an interview.
Winona State University
Winona State University (WSU) offers a Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. This 60-credit, CACREP-accredited, on-campus program prepares graduates for licensure as an LPC in Wisconsin and an LPCC in Minnesota. Coursework includes core counseling competencies along with a practicum and internship, with training opportunities available through community and agency partnerships. Admission requires an application with a resume, personal statement, and professional references, as well as participation in a screening interview. Students typically begin the program in the fall semester as part of a cohort model.
Minnesota State University Mankato
Minnesota State University, Mankato (MNSU) offers a Master of Science (MS) in Counseling and Student Personnel with a Mental Health Counseling emphasis. This 60-credit, CACREP-accredited, on-campus program meets academic requirements for licensure as an LPC or LPCC in Minnesota and also aligns with national certifications such as the NCC and CCMHC. Coursework is delivered in a cohort format and includes supervised practicum and internship experiences, with access to a counseling training facility and faculty guidance. Admission requires a bachelor’s degree with prerequisite coursework in areas such as abnormal psychology, three letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.
Other Notable Programs
The following programs are ranked equally above others in our model:
- Saint Cloud State University
- Minnesota State University Moorhead
- Adler Graduate School
- University of Minnesota
Most Affordable Mental Health Counseling Programs in Minnesota
The following eight schools offer the most cost-effective mental health counseling degrees based on their minimum in-state 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.
- Winona State University ($31,800)
- Minnesota State University Mankato ($32,880)
- Saint Cloud State University ($34,404)
- Bethany Lutheran College ($36,000)
- Bethel University ($37,080)
- Minnesota State University Moorhead ($37,140)
- Crown College ($38,100)
- Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota ($39,300)
Online Mental Health Counseling Programs in Minnesota
The following schools offer online or hybrid degrees in mental health counseling:
- Adler Graduate School (Online/Hybrid)
- Bethany Lutheran College (Hybrid)
- Crown College (Online)
- Minnesota State University Moorhead (Hybrid)
- Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota (Online)
- University of St. Thomas (Online/Hybrid)
- Winona State University (Online/Hybrid)
Minnesota Mental Health Counselor Salary and Outlook Information
Projections for Minnesota mental health counselors align closely with national trends, with an expected growth rate of 18% in the state compared to 18.4% nationwide.6 This growth is expected to result in an average of 780 annual openings in Minnesota through 2032.6 The table below shows salaries by metro area for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors, compared to the statewide average.
| City | Number Employed7 | 10th Percentile Salary7 | 25th Percentile Salary7 | 50th Percentile (Median) Salary7 | 75th Percentile Salary7 | 90th Percentile Salary7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide | 7,910 | $45,210 | $49,880 | $58,720 | $64,370 | $75,530 |
| Duluth | 500 | $43,510 | $45,030 | $51,210 | $61,690 | $72,900 |
| Fargo | 630 | $44,320 | $47,810 | $61,680 | $73,690 | $82,640 |
| Grand Forks | 150 | $41,550 | $47,980 | $58,460 | $67,400 | $79,960 |
| La Crosse | 340 | $44,590 | $49,180 | $61,800 | $89,020 | $111,050 |
| Mankato | 440 | $50,790 | $53,440 | $61,320 | $61,320 | $73,070 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul | 4,610 | $45,610 | $50,480 | $60,540 | $68,440 | $79,420 |
| Rochester | 300 | $41,480 | $48,840 | $57,700 | $66,770 | $71,760 |
| Sioux Falls | 670 | $37,150 | $44,560 | $52,430 | $60,370 | $74,510 |
| St. Cloud | 230 | $41,960 | $45,770 | $52,270 | $56,940 | $66,750 |
Additional Resources
- American Counseling Association (ACA), Minnesota Branch: The Minnesota division of the ACA, providing advocacy, ethics guidance, continuing education, and networking resources for professional counselors in the state.
- 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 profession, including typical roles, work settings, salary outlook, and long-term career growth.
- Mental Health Providers Association of Minnesota (MHPAM): Advocates on behalf of non-profit and for-profit mental health service providers, offering services and policy support across the state.
- Minnesota Association of Community Mental Health Programs (MACMHP): Represents a statewide network of community-based mental health organizations serving over 200,000 Minnesotans annually.
- Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy (BBHT): Provides licensing information and requirements for LPC and LPCC credentials in Minnesota.
- Minnesota Counseling Association (MnCA): Connects all types of counselors in the state to advocate for the profession and share best practices through conferences and training.
- Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), Adult Mental Health: Oversees state mental health services and resources for adults and families.
- Minnesota LPCC Licensing Process: Step-by-step guidance on meeting Minnesota’s requirements to become an LPCC.
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. Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education, Directory of COAMFTE Accredited Programs: https://coamfte.org/COAMFTE/Directory_of_Accredited_Programs/MFT_Training_Programs.aspx
4. Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council Accredited Programs: https://mpcacaccreditation.org/accredited-programs/
5. US News & World Report 2025 Best National University Rankings: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities
6. Projections Central, Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/longterm
7. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm