Our List of the Most Affordable Online MFT Programs

A Look at Affordable Online MFT Master’s Programs

As you explore your options for an online master’s in marriage and family therapy, it’s important to know what factors will affect the cost of your education. In the case of state schools, whether or not you will be eligible for in-state tuition could greatly affect the price of tuition. It’s also vital to ensure that your online MFT master’s is accredited. Accreditation is what will give your master’s legitimacy to future employers, licensing boards, etc., but also will make you eligible to apply for federal aid through FAFSA.

Beyond these considerations, be sure you’re aware of financial aid opportunities for online MFT master’s students at your school, including need-based and merit-based funding. These can lead to a huge difference between the program “sticker price,” and what your actual costs end up being. Below, you’ll find profiles of three high quality online master’s programs in marriage and family therapy, along with details of both costs and opportunities for aid. Read on to get you an idea of what you might expect as you begin your applications.

Comparing the Cost of Online and Campus MFT Programs

The obvious advantages for online MFT programs are convenience and flexibility. However, getting an online MFT master’s degree can also have financial advantages. Specifically, online programs can save you the costs associated with relocating and/or commuting to campus, which can be substantial. Many programs at state schools even offer a base tuition rate for online students that allows for in-state rates regardless of your location. However, you should also be aware that online graduate programs may be ineligible for certain forms of financial aid, in particular work study or research and/or teaching assistantship programs.

Ways to Lower the Cost of Your Online MFT Degree

Beyond searching for an affordable online master’s program in marriage and family therapy, there are other ways to lower your total cost burden. While not all of these apply to every student, take a look at some popular ways to lower the total cost of your online degree:

Apply for Scholarships, Fee Waivers, and More

Scholarships are essentially free money you do not need to pay back and are available at local, regional, and national levels. Many are also reserved for particular demographics of students, like those for BIPOC students, those pursuing degrees in certain academic areas, and students residing in a specific area. There are also often scholarships available directly through your graduate school or department.

Maintain Part-Time Employment

Although paid employment isn’t technically a form of financial aid, a part-time job can be a valuable source of income during your studies. Some part-time jobs may also utilize skills that are relevant to your master’s coursework. Remember though that many online MFT master’s programs include an internship or clinical placement, so be sure that you will be able to complete this if you also plan on working part time during your studies.

Take Advantage of Employer Tuition Reimbursement

If you are currently a working professional, especially in counseling, social services, or another relevant field, tuition assistance and/or reimbursement may be available through your employer. Federal tax law allows you to receiveup to $5,250 in tuition reimbursement every academic year that you don’t need to claim on your federal taxes. Funds can be used for tuition, books, miscellaneous campus and technology fees, and some school-related supplies.

Utilize Free Certification Exam Prep Resources

If your online MFT master’s program meets the requirements for state licensure, you should start thinking about your licensure exam sooner rather than later. Many schools offer free exam prep materials, study groups, and/or practice tests for online MFT master’s students, so be sure to take advantage of these, which will save you money on exam prep materials.

Ranking the Most Affordable Online MFT Master’s Degrees

How to rank online MFT programs as “best” or “most affordable” is a subjective decision, but there are some objective factors, such as tuition costs, and the percentage of students who receive financial aid, that are worth considering. To that end, our data scientists at EduMed have analyzed data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)and compiled a ranking of most affordable online MFT master’s programs. If you would like more information about our ranking methodology, you can check out the “About the Rankings” pop-up below.