Best Mental Health Counseling Schools in Tennessee (2026)

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Tennessee Mental Health Counseling At a Glance

MetricDetail
Median Mental Health Counseling Salary$54,900
Salary OutlookTennessee offers competitive wages for mental health counseling professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing BodyTennessee Professional Licensing Board
Accreditation RequiredInstitutional + Regional

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


Online Mental Health Counseling Schools in Tennessee

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

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

Lipscomb University

Nashville, TN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
62.5 BOC Score
Graduation rate 68%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $55,541
Avg net price $24,739/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 85%
  • Programs offered: 50

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

Belmont University

Nashville, TN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited
61.1 BOC Score
Acceptance rate 95%
Graduation rate 71%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $55,930
Avg net price $33,147/yr
Tuition
In‑state$42,540
Out‑of‑state$42,540
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 85%
  • Programs offered: 44

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

#3

Milligan University

Milligan, TN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
55.2 BOC Score
Graduation rate 65%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $46,641
Avg net price $21,365/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 81%
  • Programs offered: 16

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard


Career Outlook and Salaries in Tennessee

Mental Health Counseling professionals in Tennessee 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 Tennessee.

OccupationMedian Annual Salary (Tennessee)
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor$49,580
Marriage and Family Therapist$46,700
Clinical and Counseling Psychologist$76,820
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker$46,500

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


Why Pursue an Online Mental Health Counseling Degree in Tennessee?

Choosing a program in Tennessee can provide several advantages:

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


Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

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


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