Most Affordable Online Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Master’s Programs
Earning your online MFT degree doesn’t have to break the bank. Explore this year’s most affordable master’s programs and other ways to lower the cost of grad school.
Written By
Timon Kaple
- Bio
Timon Kaple, Ph.D., is a full-time writer and researcher. His work focuses on sociolinguistics, small-group folklore, the anthropology of sound, higher education, and student support services. He has experience as an ethnographer and enjoys conducting fieldwork and archival research.
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Earning an online Master of Family Therapy (MFT) degree can be a convenient way to move into a formal counseling or therapy role, advance into clinical practice, or simply better support the families and individuals you already work with as a professional in a related field.
While the financial commitment of earning a graduate degree can be high, many respected universities offer accredited online MFT programs at low tuition rates. If affordability is the highest priority on your online MFT program checklist, this page is for you. Read on to find a list of this year’s most affordable online MFT programs and get other tips that can help you keep costs low and graduate with less debt.
Most Affordable Online MFT Master’s Programs in 2023
With so many online graduate counseling and therapy programs available, knowing where find the most affordable options can be tough. To help you get started, these rankings provide quick details on some of the most affordable online MFT programs. This list was developed using the latest educational quality and cost metrics available from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System). To learn more about how we used this data, click on the “About the ranking” button below.
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Base Methodology for EduMed’s 2023 Online College Rankings
1. Create List of Eligible Schools and Programs
To be eligible for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on government data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- At least one program in subject area offered partially or fully online.
2. Assign Weightings
After creating the list of eligible schools, EduMed data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of affordability, support services, and online program availability metrics. Online program availability and overall affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings.
Online Program Availability
- Number of online programs in subject area reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education.
Affordability
- Cost – Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on tuition and fees per academic year.
- Students w/ Institutional Aid – Percentage of students who receive financial aid from the school itself.
Support Services
- Academic Counseling – Existence of this service on campus or online.
- Career Placement – Existence of this service on campus or online.
About Our Data
EduMed’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: July 2022
| # | School Name | Type | Cost | Online Programs | More Details | School Information | Online Students | Academic Counseling | Career Placement | Students w/Institutional Aid | Median Earnings 10yrs After Entry | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston Baptist UniversityHouston, TX | Private not-for-profit | $$$ | 1 | Houston Baptist University offers an almost entirely online Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy. Because of state mandates, students complete two different one-week visits to campus during the two 16-week intensives that are required to complete the program. Graduates will be prepared to work with couples and families, and will be qualified for licensure in the state of Texas. Coursework includes core classes in professional counseling, as well as specialized courses focusing on marriage and family. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Program Highlights: Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementImplied no |
Student/ Faculty Ratio16/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | |||
| 2 | Evangelical Theological SeminaryMyerstown, PA | Private not-for-profit | $$$ | 1 | Evangelical Theological Seminary’s M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy is a synchronous fully online degree program. Evangelical’s program integrates core counseling theories with Christian faith while training their students to work with clients. Students will complete 65 credit hours in addition to 300 to 500 supervised practicum hours (number is dependent upon student goals). Evangelical Seminary is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), as well as by the Commission on Accrediting of The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS). This online program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education. Program Highlights: Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
|
Academic CounselingImplied no |
Career PlacementImplied no |
Student/ Faculty RatioNA |
AccreditationMSCHE | |||
| 3 | Capella UniversityMinneapolis, MN | Private for-profit | $$$ | 9 | Capella University’s online M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy is delivered in 10 week quarters, during which students can take up to three courses each quarter. Students take a total of 16 courses, 2 of which include residencies for clinical experience. Up to 16 hours of transfer hours are accepted by the university. Further hours are completed in a required internship. The program focuses on core research and theories, clinical practice, and advocacy and social justice. Capella’s program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education. Program Highlights: Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementImplied no |
Student/ Faculty Ratio32/1 |
AccreditationHLC | |||
| 4 | Northcentral UniversityLa Jolla, CA | Private not-for-profit | $$$$ | 1 | Northcentral University boasts the first online MFT degree to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education. Northcentral is also accredited by the International Accreditation Commission for Systemic Therapy Education. The program emphasizes cultural sensitivity and ethical groundings to develop students into competent therapists. Northcentral offers a broad range of concentrations within the degree such as Trauma Informed Systemic Therapy, Child and Adolescent Family Therapy, Systemic Treatment of Addictions, Military Family Therapy, and others. Students are able to complete required practicum, internships, and supervision in their home communities. The fully online university emphasizes flexibility for students who are working while completing their degrees. Program Highlights: Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementImplied no |
Student/ Faculty Ratio3/1 |
AccreditationHLC |
What Makes an Online MFT Program Affordable?
There are several elements to consider when choosing an online MFT program. We discuss those below to help you find a quality grad program that’s also affordable.
How much financial aid you can get
The most significant ways to offset the cost of your online MFT program is through grants and scholarships, which you don’t have to replay, and student loans, which must be repaid. You can also apply for grants and scholarships while you’re in school, not just before entering a program. For more information, consult our guide detailing available financial aid opportunities.
Whether you live in-state or-out-of-state
Many colleges and universities offer online students a special rate for distance learning classes. Some schools have in-state or out-of-state tuition rates, but others do not. Look for online programs offering all their MFT distance learners in-state tuition rates, which is often substantially less expensive than out-of-state rates.
Whether the college is private or public
Public institutions typically offer lower tuition rates than private schools. According to U.S. News & World Report, the average 2018-2019 tuition at private schools for full-time learners was $35,700. For public institutions during the same academic year, average tuition was $9,700 for in-state learners and $21,600 for out-of-state students.
How much of the MFT program coursework is offered online
If your MFT program offers courses entirely online with few or no on-campus obligations, you’ll save money by avoiding costly commutes. Even if you live close to campus, don’t forget about parking fees, potential parking tickets, and gas. Students spending more time on campus also tend to spend cash at coffee shops, restaurants, and bookstores, which remote students can more easily avoid.
If the MFT program has a class schedule that allows you to continue working while you complete your master’s
MFT online programs offer a flexible schedule that most working professionals need. Even a part-time job while enrolled in a master’s program with asynchronous, self-paced courses can help you earn income while you move toward graduation.
How much the college charges for you to apply
The cost of applying to schools may seem somewhat insignificant. If you’re applying to several schools, however, you could be looking at $500 or more in application fees alone. Keep an eye out for programs that have minimal or no application fee. If you are an active duty service member or a veteran, many schools waive the application fee.
Ways to Lower the Cost of Your Online MFT Degree
There are many ways for remote MFT degree-seekers to keep their education costs down and reduce financial stress. The following three approaches can significantly help you spend less on tuition, fees, and expenses.
- Look into all the scholarship options you may be eligible for.
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. Check out EduMed’s scholarship page for a look at 50 of the best scholarships available.
- Ask about employer tuition reimbursement
If you are currently a working professional, tuition assistance may be available through your employer. Federal tax law allows you to receive up 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.
- Consider tuition payment plans
Many schools offer short-term installment plans that allow you to split the total amount you owe into smaller monthly payments. Many schools offer these plans at no interest. There might be a one-time sign-up fee, but it’s less than what you would be charged for a late or unpaid balance.