Best Online Counseling Programs in Virginia (2026)

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Virginia Counseling At a Glance

MetricDetail
Median Counseling Salary$71,065
Salary OutlookVirginia offers competitive wages for counseling professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing BodyVirginia Board of Behavioral Health / Professional Counselors
Accreditation RequiredInstitutional + Regional

Earning an online counseling degree in Virginia offers a flexible path into counseling careers. Virginia offers competitive wages for counseling professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. Whether you’re looking for an affordable in-state option or a nationally available program, Virginia students have access to a variety of accredited online choices that balance quality and cost.


Online Counseling Schools in Virginia

The following schools offer accredited online counseling programs and are ranked based on affordability, graduation rates, and student outcomes in Virginia.

How We Rank Schools

Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS). To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked against schools at the same credential level:

  • Graduation rate 30%
  • Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
  • Average net price (lower is better) 20%
  • Retention rate 15%
  • Fully online availability 10%

Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

Ranked by BOC Score — U.S. Dept. of Education outcome data. Advertising never affects rankings.

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#1

Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, VA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
65.9 BOC Score
Graduation rate 69%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $58,128
Avg net price $23,433/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 85%
  • Programs offered: 28

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

Marymount University

Arlington, VA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
61.4 BOC Score
Graduation rate 68%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $67,516
Avg net price $29,137/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 74%
  • Programs offered: 24

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#3

Bridgewater College

Bridgewater, VA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited
58.8 BOC Score
Acceptance rate 92%
Graduation rate 51%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $53,453
Avg net price $17,800/yr
Tuition
In‑state$16,090
Out‑of‑state$16,090
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 76%
  • Programs offered: 2

Source:Accreditor: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on CollegesIPEDSCollege Scorecard


Career Outlook and Salaries in Virginia

Counseling professionals in Virginia experience a dynamic job market with competitive wages. Below are the median annual salaries for key roles in the field, based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for Virginia.

OccupationMedian Annual Salary (Virginia)
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor$59,880
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselor and Advisor$67,660
Marriage and Family Therapist$79,900
Rehabilitation Counselor$47,530
Counselor, All Other$76,450
Social and Community Service Manager$94,970

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.


Why Pursue an Online Counseling Degree in Virginia?

Choosing a program in Virginia can provide several advantages:

  • In-State Tuition: Many public universities in Virginia offer lower tuition rates for residents, even for online programs.
  • Local Networking: Attending a school within your state can make it easier to connect with local employers and professional organizations.
  • Regional Relevance: Curriculum often incorporates data and case studies relevant to the Virginia economy and job market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are online counseling programs in Virginia accredited?

The schools in our directory hold institutional accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education - that is a condition of inclusion. Verify any specific school and program in the Department’s DAPIP database before enrolling.

How does Counseling pay in Virginia compare to other states?

Virginia offers competitive wages for counseling professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. This makes Virginia a strong choice for students looking to maximize their ROI after graduation.

What is the primary licensing board for counseling in Virginia?

The Virginia Board of Behavioral Health / Professional Counselors oversees professional standards and licensure for the field in Virginia. Most accredited programs are designed to align with their specific requirements.


Online Counseling Programs by City in Virginia

Explore city-level guides with local salary data and school options:

Alexandria · Blacksburg · Charlottesville · Chesapeake · Christiansburg · Danville · Fairfax · Fredericksburg · Hampton · Harrisonburg · Herndon · Hopewell · Leesburg · Lynchburg · Manassas · Martinsville · Newport News · Norfolk · Petersburg · Portsmouth · Richmond · Roanoke · Salem · Staunton · Suffolk · Virginia Beach · Waynesboro · Williamsburg · Winchester


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