Best Mental Health Counseling Schools in Kentucky (2026)

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Kentucky Mental Health Counseling At a Glance

MetricDetail
Median Mental Health Counseling Salary$62,080
Salary OutlookKentucky offers competitive wages for mental health counseling professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing BodyKentucky Professional Licensing Board
Accreditation RequiredInstitutional + Regional

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


Online Mental Health Counseling Schools in Kentucky

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

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

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, KY
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
56.9 BOC Score
Graduation rate 51%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $50,220
Avg net price $8,191/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 77%
  • Programs offered: 51

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

Spalding University

Louisville, KY
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
39.5 BOC Score
Graduation rate 54%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $49,438
Avg net price $25,491/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 67%
  • Programs offered: 17

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard


Career Outlook and Salaries in Kentucky

Mental Health Counseling professionals in Kentucky 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 Kentucky.

OccupationMedian Annual Salary (Kentucky)
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor$54,190
Marriage and Family Therapist$52,420
Clinical and Counseling Psychologist$99,140
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker$42,570

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


Why Pursue an Online Mental Health Counseling Degree in Kentucky?

Choosing a program in Kentucky can provide several advantages:

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


Frequently Asked Questions

Are online mental health counseling programs in Kentucky 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 Kentucky compare to other states?

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

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

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


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