Best and Affordable Mental Health Counseling Programs in Vermont
Two nonprofit institutions in Vermont award master’s degrees in mental health counseling (MHC), clinical mental health counseling (CMHC), or a related discipline.1 One program is based on campus, and the other uses a hybrid model that combines remote coursework with in-person clinical training, so applicants can choose between a conventional setting and a more flexible one. The sections below compare the programs on the path to Vermont’s Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CMHC) credential, then turn to the job outlook for counselors statewide, what they tend to earn, and the professional organizations active in the field.
Table of Contents
- Vermont MHC Program Comparison
- Best MHC Programs
- Most Affordable MHC Programs
- Online MHC Programs
- Vermont MHC Salary and Outlook Information
- Additional Resources
Comparison of Vermont Schools With Mental Health Counseling Programs
The table below compares the two Vermont 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 Vermont school with a mental health counseling program, please let us know. For more information on these schools, please visit our Vermont 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Vermont | CACREP | MS CMHC | Traditional | #132 tie | $692 | $1,375 | 60 |
| Vermont State University | — | MA CMHC; MS CMHC | Hybrid | — | $708 | $708 | 60 (MA); 63-65 (MS) |
Best Mental Health Counseling Programs in Vermont
The school below offers the top-ranked mental health counseling program in Vermont, as determined by program accreditation and third-party school ratings.
University of Vermont
The University of Vermont (UVM) offers a Master of Science (MS) in Counseling with a Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) track, a 60-credit program based on its Burlington campus and accredited by CACREP. Coursework is taught in person and pairs classroom study with substantial clinical preparation, including a supervised practicum and an internship in community settings. Students who want a broader scope can elect a dual option that adds school counseling and brings the total to 76 credits. Near the end of the program, CMHC students complete an oral examination built around recorded clinical sessions, which serves as the comprehensive assessment of their readiness to practice. The curriculum is designed to satisfy the educational standards for Vermont’s CMHC credential.
Most Affordable Mental Health Counseling Programs in Vermont
The following schools offer the most cost-effective mental health counseling degree, 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.
- University of Vermont ($41,520)
- Vermont State University ($42,480-$46,020)
Online Mental Health Counseling Programs in Vermont
The following school offers an online or hybrid degree in mental health counseling:
- Vermont State University (Hybrid)
Vermont Mental Health Counselor Salary and Outlook Information
Projections for Vermont mental health counselors are similar to national trends, with an expected growth rate of 17.1% in the state compared to 16.8% nationwide.5 This growth is likely to result in an average of 160 annual openings in Vermont 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 | 1,120 | $47,820 | $56,730 | $61,810 | $72,020 | $80,690 |
| Burlington-South Burlington | 370 | $49,000 | $58,000 | $66,540 | $70,690 | $93,240 |
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.
- Vermont Board of Allied Mental Health Practitioners: The state licensing authority for clinical mental health counselors, part of the Vermont Secretary of State’s Office of Professional Regulation (OPR), with information on the CMHC credential, the NCE and NCMHCE examinations, supervised-practice requirements, statutes and rules, and renewals through OPR’s online services system.
- Vermont Counseling Network: A professional network supporting Vermont’s mental health therapists and counselors, offering a searchable therapist directory, continuing education and clinical supervisor training, practice-development cohorts, and guidance on supervision and licensure for new graduates and recent licensees.
- Vermont Counseling Schools: Find counseling programs in Vermont, including on-campus, online, and hybrid options.
- Vermont Department of Mental Health: Part of the Vermont Agency of Human Services, this department oversees the state’s publicly funded community-based and inpatient mental health services, including crisis, emergency, and recovery supports statewide.
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