Best and Affordable Mental Health Counseling Programs in Washington
Washington offers nine master’s-level mental health counseling (MHC) programs at nine nonprofit colleges and universities across the state.1 Students can choose from in-person, online, and hybrid formats, allowing flexibility for different professional and personal commitments. This guide focuses on high-quality and cost-effective programs that align with Washington’s educational requirements for licensure as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). In addition, it provides an overview of employment outlook, earning potential, and professional resources available to counseling professionals in Washington.
Table of Contents
- Washington MHC Program Comparison
- Best MHC Programs
- Most Affordable MHC Programs
- Online MHC Programs
- Washington MHC Salary and Outlook Information
- Additional Resources
Comparison of Washington Schools With Mental Health Counseling Programs
The table below compares nine Washington mental health counseling programs across 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. Because colleges and universities in Washington do not all use the same credit-hour system, total credit requirements and cost figures may vary by institution, even for programs that meet the same licensure standards. All institutions listed below are not-for-profit. If we’ve missed a Washington school with a mental health counseling program, please let us know. For more information on these schools, please visit our Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antioch University-Seattle | CACREP | MA CMHC | Traditional; Online | — | $840-$944 | $840-$944 | 60 |
| City University of Seattle | CACREP | MAC | Hybrid | — | $710 | $710 | 90 |
| Eastern Washington University | CACREP | MS CMHC | Hybrid | — | $426 | $939 | 93 |
| Gonzaga University | CACREP | MA CMHC | Traditional | #102 tie | $1,190 | $1,190 | 61 |
| Northwest University | CACREP | MA CMHC | Traditional; Online | — | $860 | $860 | 60 |
| Saint Martin’s University | — | MAC | Traditional; Online | — | $1,400 | $1,400 | 60 |
| Seattle University | CACREP | MAEd CMHC | Traditional; Online | #151 tie | $757 | $757 | 90 |
| University of Puget Sound | CACREP | M.Ed. CMHC | Traditional | — | $5,335 | $5,335 | 15 |
| Western Washington University | CACREP | MS CMHC | Traditional | — | $450 | $872 | 91 |
Best Mental Health Counseling Programs in Washington
The schools below offer the top-ranked mental health counseling programs in Washington, as determined by program accreditation and third-party school ratings. Tiebreakers are determined by total in-state program cost.
Gonzaga University
Gonzaga University offers a CACREP-accredited Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) designed to prepare students for professional counseling practice across a range of clinical settings. The program emphasizes ethical practice, multicultural competence, and evidence-based counseling approaches, integrating coursework with supervised clinical experiences. Delivered in a traditional, on-campus format, the program supports close faculty mentorship and cohort-based learning. Graduates are academically prepared to pursue licensure as an LMHC in Washington, subject to state-specific post-graduate requirements.
University of Puget Sound
University of Puget Sound offers a CACREP-accredited Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) that blends rigorous academic training with a strong foundation in applied practice. The program is delivered on campus and focuses on counseling theory, assessment, professional ethics, and clinical skills development. Students complete extensive supervised practicum and internship experiences as part of the curriculum. The program meets Washington’s educational requirements for licensure as an LMHC, preparing graduates for entry-level counseling roles in community agencies, schools, and healthcare settings.
Most Affordable Mental Health Counseling Programs in Washington
The following four 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.
- Eastern Washington University: $39,618
- Western Washington University: $40,950
- Antioch University-Seattle: $50,400-$56,640
- Northwest University: $51,600
Online Mental Health Counseling Programs in Washington
The following schools offer online or hybrid degrees in mental health counseling:
- Antioch University-Seattle (Online)
- City University of Seattle (Hybrid)
- Eastern Washington University (Hybrid)
- Northwest University (Online)
- Saint Martin’s University (Online)
- Seattle University (Online)
Washington Mental Health Counselor Salary and Outlook Information
Projections for Washington mental health counselors are not available, but nationwide, the occupation of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow by 18.4% nationwide.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 | 13,150 | $45,450 | $52,070 | $64,220 | $80,440 | $100,210 |
| Bellingham | 340 | $47,160 | $54,610 | $71,250 | $87,890 | $102,760 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | 410 | $44,660 | $50,570 | $60,380 | $73,870 | $88,120 |
| Kennewick-Richland | 400 | $46,480 | $57,560 | $63,740 | $79,880 | $98,940 |
| Longview-Kelso | 250 | $46,910 | $47,880 | $63,430 | $78,100 | $97,100 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | 260 | $47,890 | $50,370 | $72,550 | $88,700 | $110,960 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | 510 | $43,430 | $49,420 | $61,910 | $77,700 | $96,470 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | 7,040 | $47,990 | $53,890 | $65,290 | $81,230 | $103,210 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | 1,590 | $39,880 | $49,510 | $62,550 | $77,830 | $95,540 |
| Walla Walla | 80 | $40,010 | $50,850 | $64,370 | $79,610 | $101,470 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | 100 | $46,800 | $55,020 | $67,800 | $83,550 | $99,800 |
Additional Resources
- American Counseling Association (ACA) of Washington State: A statewide chapter of the ACA that represents professional counselors and counseling students in Washington.
- 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, skills, and work settings.
- Washington Counseling Association (WCA): A statewide professional organization affiliated with the American Counseling Association (ACA) that supports counselors through advocacy, conferences, and professional development.
- Washington Counseling Schools: Find accredited counseling programs in Washington, including on-campus, online, and hybrid options.
- Washington Department of Health, Mental Health Counselor Licensing: Official licensing information for LMHCs, including credentialing requirements, applications, and renewals.
- Washington LMHC Licensing Process: Step-by-step information on how to become an LMHC in Washington.
- Washington Mental Health Counselors Association (WMHCA): The state branch of the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA), providing advocacy, continuing education, and legislative updates for LMHCs.
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