Best Mental Health Counseling Schools in Arkansas (2026)

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Arkansas Mental Health Counseling At a Glance

MetricDetail
Median Mental Health Counseling Salary$63,008
Salary OutlookArkansas offers competitive wages for mental health counseling professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing BodyArkansas Professional Licensing Board
Accreditation RequiredInstitutional + Regional

Earning an online mental health counseling degree in Arkansas offers a flexible path into mental health counseling careers. Arkansas offers competitive wages for mental health 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, Arkansas students have access to a variety of accredited online choices that balance quality and cost.


Online Mental Health Counseling Schools in Arkansas

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

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 โ€” U.S. Dept. of Education outcome data. Advertising never affects rankings.

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#1

John Brown University

Siloam Springs, AR
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
64.4 BOC Score
Graduation rate 68%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $53,907
Avg net price $20,397/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 83%
  • Programs offered: 32

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

Harding University

Searcy, AR
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
63.3 BOC Score
Graduation rate 68%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $52,876
Avg net price $22,130/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 87%
  • Programs offered: 56

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#3

Ouachita Baptist University

Arkadelphia, AR
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
58.6 BOC Score
Graduation rate 65%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $51,673
Avg net price $22,409/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 83%
  • Programs offered: 24

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard


Career Outlook and Salaries in Arkansas

Mental Health Counseling professionals in Arkansas 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 Arkansas.

OccupationMedian Annual Salary (Arkansas)
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor$51,580
Marriage and Family Therapist$64,340
Clinical and Counseling Psychologist$77,520
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker$58,590

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


Why Pursue an Online Mental Health Counseling Degree in Arkansas?

Choosing a program in Arkansas can provide several advantages:

  • In-State Tuition: Many public universities in Arkansas 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 Arkansas economy and job market.


Frequently Asked Questions

Are online mental health counseling programs in Arkansas 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 Mental Health Counseling pay in Arkansas compare to other states?

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

What is the primary licensing board for mental health counseling in Arkansas?

The Arkansas Professional Licensing Board oversees professional standards and licensure for the field in Arkansas. Most accredited programs are designed to align with their specific requirements.


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