The best small colleges for a counseling degree combine institutional accreditation, an undergraduate population under 3,000, and a bachelor’s program built around real fieldwork or internship hours. This guide features 30 accredited small colleges offering bachelor’s degrees in counseling, addictions counseling, or counseling psychology, organized so you can compare accreditation, tuition, and program focus school by school.
Small colleges offer something large universities can’t match for a counseling degree: direct access to faculty, real fieldwork placements, and a campus small enough that professors know your name. Every school on this list has an undergraduate population under 3,000, holds current institutional accreditation, and offers a bachelor’s degree in counseling, addictions counseling, or a closely related counseling concentration. We checked each school’s accreditation status and tuition directly against its own site rather than carrying forward outdated figures.
Demand for this training keeps growing. Employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 18.4% between 2022 and 2032, according to Projections Central, much faster than the average for all occupations.
BA vs. BS in Counseling: Does the Degree Type Matter?
A Bachelor of Arts in counseling typically carries more coursework in humanities and a foreign language, while a Bachelor of Science leans toward psychology, biology, or statistics credits. Neither path is the “better” degree. The difference is emphasis, not rigor, and both prepare you equally well for a master’s program in counseling, social work, or clinical psychology.
Graduate admissions committees care far more about your GPA, your fieldwork experience, and your letters of recommendation than whether your transcript reads BA or BS. Most schools on this list grant a BA or BS in counseling or counseling psychology, and a handful frame it as a psychology degree with a counseling concentration. Check each school’s specific course requirements if you already know which graduate path you want to pursue.
30 Small Colleges for a Counseling Degree at a Glance
Institutional accreditation on this list is either regional (the type most employers and graduate schools expect without question) or national (federally recognized and legitimate, though it can occasionally make credit transfer to a different institution harder). Tuition below is the current per-credit-hour or full-time block rate as published by each school. Confirm the exact figure on the school’s own site before applying, since these change every year.
| School | Degree | Tuition | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Nelson University | BS, Human Services (Counseling) | ~$951/credit hour over block | SACSCOC (regional) |
| 2. Washington Adventist University | BS, Counseling Psychology | ~$465/credit hour | MSCHE (regional) |
| 3. New Hope Christian College-Eugene | BS, Ministry Leadership w/ Christian Counseling | ~$685/credit hour | ABHE (national) |
| 4. Ecclesia College | BS, Psychology & Counseling | $545/credit hour | ABHE (national) |
| 5. Oak Hills Christian College | BS, Addictions Counseling | $9,600/semester full-time | ABHE (national) |
| 6. Trinity College of Florida | BA, Psychology, Counseling Concentration | $8,200/semester full-time | ABHE (national) |
| 7. Morningside University | BA, Counseling Psychology | ~$39,660/year full-time | HLC (regional) |
| 8. University of Holy Cross | BS, Social/Addictions/Marriage & Family/Community Counseling | ~$600/credit hour | SACSCOC (regional) |
| 9. University of Detroit Mercy | BS, Addiction Studies | ~$32,946/year full-time | HLC (regional) |
| 10. Trinity College of Jacksonville | BS, Biblical Studies (Christian Counseling) | $6,950/semester full-time | TRACS (national) |
| 11. Averett University | BA/BS, Clinical & Counseling Psychology Concentration | $38,550/year full-time | SACSCOC (regional) |
| 12. University of Rochester | BA/BS, Psychology (General) | ~$69,030/year full-time | MSCHE (regional) |
| 13. Kentucky Christian University | BS, Counseling Psychology | ~$750/credit hour | SACSCOC (regional) |
| 14. Coker University | BS, General Psychology (Counseling Emphasis) | ~$33,416/year full-time | SACSCOC (regional) |
| 15. Alaska Pacific University | BA, Counseling Psychology | ~$848/credit hour | NWCCU (regional) |
| 16. Kansas Wesleyan University | BA, Psychological Services | ~$34,630/year full-time | HLC (regional) |
| 17. Cornerstone University | BA, Psychology, Counseling Major | ~$23,000/year full-time | HLC (regional) |
| 18. Arizona Christian University | BA, Behavioral Health/Counseling Emphasis | ~$1,371/credit hour | HLC (regional) |
| 19. Mid-Atlantic Christian University | BA/BS, Counseling & Psychology | $540/credit hour | SACSCOC (regional) |
| 20. Johnson & Wales University-Providence | BS, Psychology, Counseling Psychology Specialization | ~$41,982/year full-time | NECHE (regional) |
| 21. Oklahoma Baptist University | BA, Psychology: Pre-Counseling | ~$1,030/credit hour | HLC (regional) |
| 22. Point University | BA/BS, Counseling & Human Services | ~$700/credit hour | SACSCOC (regional) |
| 23. Clarks Summit University | BS, Counseling | ~$1,040/credit hour | MSCHE (regional) |
| 24. Toccoa Falls College | BS, Counseling Psychology | ~$999/credit hour | SACSCOC (regional) |
| 25. Lesley University | BS, Counseling | ~$1,110/credit hour | NECHE (regional) |
| 26. Delaware Valley University | BA, Counseling Psychology | ~$1,162/credit hour | MSCHE (regional) |
| 27. Crown College | BS, Christian Counseling/Psychology | ~$1,300/credit hour | HLC (regional) |
| 28. Emmanuel College | BA, Psychology, Counseling & Health Psychology Concentration | ~$1,502/credit hour | NECHE (regional) |
| 29. Boston University Wheelock College | BS, Education & Human Development | ~$69,870/year full-time | NECHE (regional) |
| 30. William Jessup University | BA, General Psychology (Counseling at MA level only) | ~$1,520/credit hour | WSCUC (regional) & ABHE (national) |
1. Nelson University
Nelson University (formerly Southwestern Assemblies of God University) has restructured its counseling-track bachelor’s program since our last review. The current closest match is the Bachelor of Science in Human Services, which lets students choose a specialization in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or Criminal Justice, offered on campus and online through the College of Behavioral Sciences and Community Services. A separate Bachelor of Science in Psychology (pre-professional) is also available for students planning to continue directly into graduate-level clinical or counseling psychology.
Nelson University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), a regional accreditor. On-campus tuition runs about $951 per credit hour over the standard course block for 2026-27, or a $13,314 flat block rate for 12-16 credits per semester.
2. Washington Adventist University
A Bachelor’s in Counseling Psychology from Washington Adventist University prepares students for roles like guidance counselor or counseling educator, and doubles as GRE-ready preparation for graduate school. Every student completes a supervised practicum before graduation, and the department encourages a minor or second major alongside the degree.
Washington Adventist University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), a regional accreditor. Tuition runs about $465 per credit hour for traditional undergraduates as of the 2025-26 academic year.
3. New Hope Christian College-Eugene
New Hope’s Ministry Leadership program lets students concentrate in Christian Counseling alongside a foundation in pastoral leadership, with coursework aimed at both faith-based and secular helping professions. Graduates typically continue into a graduate counseling program for state licensure.
New Hope Christian College is accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), a national accreditor. Tuition runs about $685 per credit hour.
4. Ecclesia College
Ecclesia’s BS in Psychology & Counseling is part of a required work-learning model, where students offset tuition through campus jobs while completing coursework in psychology and counseling alongside general education requirements. The program is still active and offered both on campus and online.
Ecclesia College is accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), a national accreditor. On-campus tuition is $545 per credit hour for 2026-27, or $8,175 per semester for a full 12-18 credit load.
5. Oak Hills Christian College
Oak Hills’ BS in Addictions Counseling prepares graduates to work with gambling, food, sex, alcohol, and drug addictions, backed by 880 hours of required fieldwork. Graduates who meet their state’s specific requirements can pursue licensure as an addictions or drug and alcohol counselor, though exact credential names and eligibility rules vary by state and typically call for hours or exams beyond the degree itself.
Oak Hills Christian College is accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), a national accreditor. Campus-based tuition is $9,600 per semester for full-time students for 2025-26, or $507 per credit hour online.
6. Trinity College of Florida
Trinity’s BA in Psychology with a Counseling Concentration is a 123-credit program split between general studies, psychology and counseling coursework, and Bible and theology. Ninety-five percent of degree-seeking students receive some form of financial aid.
Trinity College of Florida is accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), a national accreditor. Full-time tuition is $8,200 per semester for 12-18 credits, with additional credits billed at $550 each.
7. Morningside University
Morningside University (renamed from Morningside College in 2021) pairs its Counseling Psychology major with related tracks in General Psychology, Biopsychology, and Developmental Psychology. The university has been educating students since 1894 and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church.
Morningside University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a regional accreditor. Full-time tuition runs about $39,660 per year for 2024-25, or roughly $683 per credit hour part-time.
8. University of Holy Cross
University of Holy Cross offers CACREP-accredited counseling programs across Social Counseling, Addictions Counseling, School Counseling, Marriage and Family Counseling, and Community Counseling tracks, giving students an unusually wide set of concentration electives for a school this size.
University of Holy Cross is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), a regional accreditor. Tuition runs about $600 per credit hour.
9. University of Detroit Mercy
Detroit Mercy’s BS in Addiction Studies is one of the longest-running programs of its kind nationally and prepares students for treatment roles across sexual, gambling, and drug/alcohol addiction settings. Students complete an internship at one of more than 30 partner locations, and the coursework maps to the education requirement many states set for an addictions counselor credential, though graduates still need to meet their specific state’s hours and exam requirements to become certified or licensed.
University of Detroit Mercy is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a regional accreditor. Full-time tuition runs about $32,946 per year for 2024-25.
10. Trinity College of Jacksonville
Trinity College of Jacksonville (renamed from Trinity Baptist College in 2025) now offers Christian Counseling as a concentration within its Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies, built on required coursework like Critical Issues in Counseling and Theology of Christian Counseling, taught from a Christian perspective and paired with fieldwork rather than pure lecture.
Trinity College of Jacksonville is accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS), a national accreditor. Full-time tuition is $6,950 per semester for 12-17 credits, or $583 per credit hour part-time.
11. Averett University
Averett’s psychology major offers a Clinical and Counseling Psychology concentration alongside biological and integrative health psychology tracks, totaling 43 semester credits with the concentration. Averett also runs a fully online BS in Psychology: Substance Abuse Counseling for students who need a remote option.
Averett University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), a regional accreditor. On-campus tuition runs $38,550 per year full-time for 2025-26. The online substance abuse counseling track is billed at $480 per credit hour.
12. University of Rochester
University of Rochester’s undergraduate psychology major is general, not a standalone counseling degree. Students set on counseling should treat it as pre-graduate preparation: the university’s Warner School of Education offers CACREP-accredited graduate programs in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling for students who continue on.
University of Rochester is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), a regional accreditor. Full-time tuition for the School of Arts & Sciences, where psychology sits, runs about $69,030 per year for 2025-26.
13. Kentucky Christian University
Kentucky Christian University’s 120-credit BS in Counseling Psychology splits coursework between counseling and psychology, biblical studies, and general education, with regular chapel services built into campus life. KCU markets itself as the most affordable private university in Kentucky.
Kentucky Christian University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), a regional accreditor. Part-time tuition runs $750 per credit hour, with full-time tuition and fees around $26,300 per year for 2024-25.
14. Coker University
Coker University (renamed from Coker College in 2019) now offers a Bachelor of Science in General Psychology with an Emphasis in Counseling, covering counseling theory, the recovery process, pharmacology, and addiction alongside standard psychology coursework. Electives let students shape the degree toward their specific interests, and the Adult Degree Completion Program carries the same emphasis for returning students.
Coker University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), a regional accreditor. Full-time tuition and fees run about $33,416 per year for 2024-25.
15. Alaska Pacific University
Alaska Pacific’s BA in Counseling Psychology stands out for coursework like Wilderness Therapy and Creativity and Madness, plus retreats built into the program. Junior-year practicum placements happen at sites like the Alaska Zoo, public schools, and local mental health centers.
Alaska Pacific University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), a regional accreditor. Tuition runs about $848 per credit hour for 2024-25.
16. Kansas Wesleyan University
Kansas Wesleyan’s BA in Psychological Services is a clinically focused program with six tracks so students can concentrate in areas like addictions, domestic issues, or education counseling. A 150-hour internship is standard, and students pursuing Addiction Counseling licensure complete a 400-hour internship instead.
Kansas Wesleyan University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a regional accreditor. Full-time tuition and fees run about $34,630 per year for 2024-25.
17. Cornerstone University
Cornerstone’s psychology degree includes a counseling major built around internships with local and global partner agencies, giving students supervised experience before graduation. The program is housed within a broader Christian liberal arts curriculum.
Cornerstone University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a regional accreditor. Full-time tuition and fees run about $23,000 per year for 2024-25.
18. Arizona Christian University
Arizona Christian’s Behavioral Health degree carries a Counseling Emphasis with electives in Cross-Cultural Counseling and Addictions, plus a required 135-clock-hour internship for college credit. A Family Studies minor is available for students who want an added certification track.
Arizona Christian University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a regional accreditor. Full-time tuition runs about $32,898 per year for 2026-27, or $1,371 per credit hour under a 12-credit load.
19. Mid-Atlantic Christian University
Mid-Atlantic Christian’s Counseling & Psychology program sits inside its Department of Marketplace Ministry and pairs coursework with a required Biblical Studies minor. Most graduates go on to graduate school or into human-service roles through local churches and community organizations.
Mid-Atlantic Christian University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), a regional accreditor. Tuition runs $540 per credit hour for 2024-25.
Website | See Mid-Atlantic Christian’s application details
20. Johnson & Wales University-Providence
JWU’s psychology degree carries a Counseling Psychology Specialization, and the university also runs an accelerated bachelor’s-plus-master’s path into Addiction Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, or Organizational Psychology for students who want to move straight into a graduate credential.
Johnson & Wales University-Providence is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), a regional accreditor. Full-time tuition and fees run about $41,982 per year for 2024-25.
21. Oklahoma Baptist University
OBU’s Pre-Counseling track inside its psychology major lets students take counseling-focused electives while also participating in faculty research projects, with a practicum strongly encouraged before graduation.
Oklahoma Baptist University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a regional accreditor. Tuition runs about $1,030 per credit hour, with full-time tuition and fees around $35,570 per year for 2024-25.
22. Point University
Point University offers both a BS and BA in Counseling and Human Services, with every student completing a Biblical Studies minor and the option to add a 100-hour supervised internship. Psychology is one of the university’s most popular majors.
Point University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), a regional accreditor. Tuition runs about $700 per credit hour, with full-time tuition and fees around $23,950 per year for 2024-25.
23. Clarks Summit University
Clarks Summit’s BS in Counseling lets students simultaneously enroll in the university’s MS in Counseling program, effectively working toward both degrees at once. The 123-credit program is closely tied to a broader biblical studies emphasis.
Clarks Summit University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), a regional accreditor. Part-time tuition runs about $1,040 per credit hour, with full-time tuition and fees around $32,400 per year and rising.
24. Toccoa Falls College
Toccoa Falls’ Counseling Psychology program runs both on campus and online, with faculty carrying a combined century of counseling and teaching experience. Coursework includes Group Counseling, Christ-Centered Counseling, and Premarital and Marital Counseling, capped by an internship or senior research project.
Toccoa Falls College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), a regional accreditor. Tuition runs about $999 per credit hour, with full-time tuition and fees between $23,950 and $24,950 per year for 2024-26.
Website | See Toccoa Falls’ program and admissions details
25. Lesley University
Lesley’s Counseling degree is taught exclusively by professors rather than graduate teaching assistants, with 400 hours of required fieldwork built into the program. Students with an interest in art therapy can specialize in Expressive Arts Therapy alongside the core counseling curriculum.
Lesley University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), a regional accreditor. Tuition runs about $1,110 per credit hour, with full-time tuition and fees around $34,256 per year for 2024-25.
26. Delaware Valley University
Delaware Valley’s Counseling Psychology program is built around the university’s Experience360 initiative, which guarantees every student real-world experience in their major before graduation. Electives cover substance abuse, developmental disabilities, and behavior modification.
Delaware Valley University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), a regional accreditor. Tuition runs about $1,162 per credit hour, with full-time tuition and fees around $44,850 per year for 2024-25.
27. Crown College
Crown College’s BS in Christian Counseling/Psychology is offered fully online, one of the few Christ-centered fully remote counseling degrees in the country, with an optional Minor in Alcohol and Drug Counseling for a more focused track.
Crown College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a regional accreditor. Full-time tuition and fees run about $31,410 per year for 2024-25, or roughly $1,300 per credit hour part-time.
Website | See Crown College’s full profile
28. Emmanuel College
Emmanuel’s psychology degree carries a Counseling and Health Psychology Concentration that looks at stress, coping skills, and pain management through a mental-health lens. Students gain clinical interview experience and finish with either an internship or a directed research project. Emmanuel College is part of a growing psychology track referenced throughout our bachelor’s in psychology guide.
Emmanuel College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), a regional accreditor. Tuition runs about $1,502 per credit hour, with full-time tuition and fees around $48,550 per year for 2024-25.
29. Boston University Wheelock College of Education and Human Development
BU Wheelock’s undergraduate major, the BS in Education & Human Development, combines coursework in education, human development, psychology, and the social sciences, with field-based experience starting in a student’s first semester. A Human Service Certificate is available alongside the major, and graduates have gone on to work as counselors, correctional officers, and human service workers.
Boston University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), a regional accreditor. Full-time tuition runs about $69,870 per year for 2025-26.
30. William Jessup University
William Jessup’s bachelor’s-level offering is a BA in General Psychology. Counseling is not currently a bachelor’s-level concentration here. It’s a graduate credential: Jessup offers a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology built to meet California licensure requirements for Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). Students set on counseling specifically should treat the BA as pre-graduate preparation rather than a counseling degree in itself.
William Jessup University is accredited by both the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), a national accreditor, and the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), a regional accreditor. Tuition runs about $1,520 per credit hour, with full-time tuition and fees around $36,000 per year for 2024-25.
What to Look For in a Small College Counseling Program
Start with the accreditation type. Regional accreditation (HLC, MSCHE, NECHE, SACSCOC, NWCCU, WSCUC) is what most graduate schools and employers expect without a second look. National accreditation (ABHE, TRACS) is federally recognized and perfectly legitimate for the degree itself, but double-check credit transfer policies if you might switch schools later, since some regionally accredited institutions are selective about accepting national-accreditor credits. One thing you won’t see on this list: an “APA-accredited bachelor’s.” The American Psychological Association only accredits doctoral programs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology, so institutional accreditation is the whole story at the bachelor’s level.
Next, look at the fieldwork. The strongest programs on this list attach a real practicum or internship, not just a capstone paper, and a few (Detroit Mercy, Oak Hills) build coursework that maps toward a state addictions-counseling credential, though every credential still requires meeting your specific state’s separate hours and exam requirements beyond the degree. Finally, compare the billing model, not just the sticker price. A per-credit rate lets you control cost by course load, while a flat block rate assumes a full 12-18 credit semester. Confirm the current figure on the school’s own tuition page before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I become a licensed counselor with only a bachelor’s degree?
In nearly every state, no. Most counseling licenses (LPC, LMHC, and similar credentials) require a master’s degree, supervised post-graduate hours, and a licensing exam. A bachelor’s in counseling qualifies you for entry-level human services roles and builds the foundation for a graduate program, but it isn’t a standalone path to licensed practice.
What’s the difference between a counseling degree and a psychology degree?
A counseling degree focuses on applied, practical skills for working directly with clients, often including fieldwork or internship hours. A psychology degree covers the broader science of behavior and mental processes, and may or may not include a clinical or counseling track. For more on what counseling psychology actually involves, several schools on this list, including Averett and Coker, offer a psychology major with a counseling concentration rather than a standalone counseling degree, which effectively blends both.
Does it matter if my bachelor’s counseling program is regionally or nationally accredited?
It can. Regional accreditation is the type most graduate schools and employers recognize without question. National accreditation, common among Bible colleges and seminaries, is legitimate for the degree and for federal financial aid, but transferring those credits to a regionally accredited graduate program can sometimes require extra review. If you already know where you want to apply for your master’s, check that school’s transfer policy first.
Is a small college a good fit for a counseling degree specifically?
Often, yes. Counseling programs lean heavily on supervised practice and direct faculty mentorship, both of which tend to work better in smaller cohorts. Several schools on this list report 10:1 or better student-to-faculty ratios, which translates to more individual feedback on the clinical skills graduate programs will expect you to already have.
Select your state below to find accredited psychology and counseling programs, application links, and licensing requirements for your jurisdiction.
Related lists: 50 Most Affordable Selective Small Colleges for a Psychology Degree and Top 50 Universities to Earn a Psychology Degree. To learn more about how we build these lists, visit How We Choose the Psychology Degree Programs We Consider to Be the Best.
2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data and Projections Central 2022-2032 job growth forecasts for Psychologists (including Clinical & Counseling, Industrial-Organizational, and School Psychologists) and Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2026.