Best Mental Health Counseling Schools in North Carolina (2026)

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North Carolina Mental Health Counseling At a Glance

MetricDetail
Median Mental Health Counseling Salary$63,482
Salary OutlookNorth Carolina offers competitive wages for mental health counseling professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing BodyNorth Carolina Professional Licensing Board
Accreditation RequiredInstitutional + Regional

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


Online Mental Health Counseling Schools in North Carolina

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

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

Appalachian State University

Boone, NC
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
69.9 BOC Score
Graduation rate 75%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $51,836
Avg net price $16,836/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 84%
  • Programs offered: 108

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
68.3 BOC Score
Graduation rate 66%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $55,146
Avg net price $15,739/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 82%
  • Programs offered: 165

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#3

North Carolina A & T State University

Greensboro, NC
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
55.8 BOC Score
Graduation rate 57%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $44,440
Avg net price $10,846/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 79%
  • Programs offered: 75

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard


Career Outlook and Salaries in North Carolina

Mental Health Counseling professionals in North Carolina 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 North Carolina.

OccupationMedian Annual Salary (North Carolina)
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor$55,490
Marriage and Family Therapist$48,100
Clinical and Counseling Psychologist$92,130
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker$58,210

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


Why Pursue an Online Mental Health Counseling Degree in North Carolina?

Choosing a program in North Carolina can provide several advantages:

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


Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

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


Online Mental Health Counseling Programs by City in North Carolina

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

Apex · Asheboro · Asheville · Boone · Burlington · Carrboro · Cary · Chapel Hill · Charlotte · Clayton · Clemmons · Concord · Cornelius · Durham · Elizabeth City · Fayetteville · Forest City · Fuquay-Varina · Garner · Gastonia · Goldsboro · Greensboro · Greenville · Havelock · Henderson · Hickory · High Point · Holly Springs · Huntersville · Indian Trail · Jacksonville · Kannapolis · Kernersville · Kill Devil Hills · Kinston · Laurinburg · Lincolnton · Lumberton · Matthews · Mint Hill · Monroe · Mooresville · Morehead City · Morrisville · New Bern · Pinehurst · Raleigh · Roanoke Rapids · Rockingham · Rocky Mount · Salisbury · Sanford · Shelby · Smithfield · Statesville · Thomasville · Wake Forest · Wilmington · Wilson · Winston-Salem


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