Best and Affordable Mental Health Counseling Programs in Rhode Island
Rhode Island has five nonprofit colleges and universities offering master’s degrees in mental health counseling (MHC), clinical mental health counseling (CMHC), or a closely related field.1 Most are campus-based, but one of them offers online and hybrid options, so students who need a more flexible schedule can still earn a qualifying degree without leaving the state. Keep reading for a breakdown of each program leading to Rhode Island’s Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) credential, what the counseling job market looks like across the state, what the work typically pays, and the professional organizations active in the field here.
Table of Contents
- Rhode Island MHC Program Comparison
- Best MHC Programs
- Most Affordable MHC Programs
- Online MHC Programs
- Rhode Island MHC Salary and Outlook Information
- Additional Resources
Comparison of Rhode Island Schools With Mental Health Counseling Programs
The table below compares the five Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island school with a mental health counseling program, please let us know. For more information on these schools, please visit our Rhode Island 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson & Wales University | CACREP | MS CMHC | Traditional | — | $774 | $774 | 60 |
| Rhode Island College | CACREP | MS CMHC | Traditional | — | $546 | $820-$1,064 | 60 |
| Roger Williams University | — | MA Forensic Mental Health Counseling | Traditional | — | $1,176 | $1,176 | 60 |
| Salve Regina University | — | MA Clinical Counseling | Traditional; Hybrid; Online | — | $800 | $800 | 60 |
| University of Rhode Island | — | MS Mental and Behavioral Health Counseling (MBHC) | Traditional | #151 tie | $951 | $1,427-$1,852 | 66 |
Best Mental Health Counseling Programs in Rhode Island
The schools below offer the top-ranked mental health counseling programs in Rhode Island, as determined by program accreditation and third-party school ratings. Tiebreakers are determined by total in-state program cost.
Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College (RIC) offers a 60-credit Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC). It was the first CACREP-accredited counseling program in the state, and its accreditation currently runs through March 2033. Coursework is delivered in person on the Providence campus, with classes meeting once a week in the late afternoon or evening to accommodate students who are already working. The degree is structured for full-time study over three years and cannot be completed in less time, allowing students to move through the practicum and internship sequence that comprises their clinical training. Applications are reviewed once a year, and graduates are prepared to pursue Rhode Island’s LCMHC credential after completing the required post-degree supervised hours.
Johnson & Wales University
Johnson & Wales University (JWU) offers a CACREP-accredited, 60-credit Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) that full-time students can complete in 18 months. The program is based on JWU’s Providence campus and admits two cohorts each year, one starting in the fall and one in the spring. Classes meet in the late afternoon and evening, leaving daytime hours and some weekends free for the fieldwork placements where students put their training to work with real clients. After earning the degree and logging their supervised post-degree experience, graduates are positioned to seek the LCMHC credential in Rhode Island.
Most Affordable Mental Health Counseling Programs in Rhode Island
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.
- Rhode Island College ($32,760)
- Johnson & Wales University ($46,440)
- Salve Regina University ($48,000)
Online Mental Health Counseling Programs in Rhode Island
The following school offers online and/or hybrid degrees in mental health counseling:
- Salve Regina University (Hybrid; Online)
Rhode Island Mental Health Counselor Salary and Outlook Information
Projections for Rhode Island mental health counselors are in line with national trends, with an expected growth rate of 15.2% in the state compared to 16.8% nationwide.5 This growth is likely to result in an average of 160 annual openings in Rhode Island 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 | 2,170 | $43,960 | $47,470 | $65,120 | $79,300 | $98,440 |
| Providence-Warwick | 3,850 | $40,840 | $46,380 | $59,120 | $76,710 | $95,780 |
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.
- Mental Health Counselor Career Guide: An overview of the counseling profession, including job duties, required skills, and common work environments.
- Rhode Island Counseling Schools: Find counseling programs in Rhode Island, including on-campus, online, and hybrid options.
- Rhode Island LCMHC Licensing Process: Step-by-step guidance on becoming licensed in Rhode Island, including education, supervised experience, and examination requirements.
- Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH): Rhode Island’s designated state mental health authority, which plans, funds, and oversees community mental health and substance use services across the state and licenses behavioral health providers.
- Rhode Island Department of Health – Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage/Family Therapists: The state licensing authority for mental health counselors, with information on the LCMHC credential, application forms, the NCMHCE examination, regulations, and renewals.
- Rhode Island Mental Health Counselors Association (RIMHCA): The Rhode Island state chapter of the American Mental Health Counselors Association, offering continuing education, advocacy, and networking for clinical mental health counselors across the state.
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