Most Affordable Online Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Master's Programs
Earning your online MFT degree doesn’t have to break the bank. Explore this year’s most affordable master’s programs and other ways to lower the cost of grad school.
Earning an online Master of Family Therapy (MFT) degree can be a convenient way to move into a formal counseling or therapy role, advance into clinical practice, or simply better support the families and individuals you already work with as a professional in a related field.
While the financial commitment of earning a graduate degree can be high, many respected universities offer accredited online MFT programs at low tuition rates. If affordability is the highest priority on your online MFT program checklist, this page is for you. Read on to find a list of this year’s most affordable online MFT programs and get other tips that can help you keep costs low and graduate with less debt.
Most Affordable Online MFT Master’s Programs
With so many online graduate counseling and therapy programs available, knowing where find the most affordable options can be tough. To help you get started, these rankings provide quick details on some of the most affordable online MFT programs. This list was developed using the latest educational quality and cost metrics available from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System). To learn more about how we used this data, click on the “About the ranking” button below.
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Public
University of Louisiana at Monroe
Monroe, Louisiana
Public
Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, California
Private
Friends University
Wichita, Kansas
Private
University of West Alabama
Livingston, Alabama
Public
University of Massachusetts Global
Irvine, California
Private
University of Holy Cross
New Orleans, Louisiana
Private
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California
Private
What Makes an Online MFT Program Affordable?
There are several elements to consider when choosing an online MFT program. We discuss those below to help you find a quality grad program that’s also affordable.
How much financial aid you can get
The most significant ways to offset the cost of your online MFT program is through grants and scholarships, which you don’t have to replay, and student loans, which must be repaid. You can also apply for grants and scholarships while you’re in school, not just before entering a program. For more information, consult our guide detailing available financial aid opportunities.
Whether you live in-state or-out-of-state
Many colleges and universities offer online students a special rate for distance learning classes. Some schools have in-state or out-of-state tuition rates, but others do not. Look for online programs offering all their MFT distance learners in-state tuition rates, which is often substantially less expensive than out-of-state rates.
Whether the college is private or public
Public institutions typically offer lower tuition rates than private schools. The average 2018-2019 tuition at private schools for full-time learners was $35,700. For public institutions during the same academic year, average tuition was $9,700 for in-state learners and $21,600 for out-of-state students.
How much of the MFT program coursework is offered online
If your MFT program offers courses entirely online with few or no on-campus obligations, you’ll save money by avoiding costly commutes. Even if you live close to campus, don’t forget about parking fees, potential parking tickets, and gas. Students spending more time on campus also tend to spend cash at coffee shops, restaurants, and bookstores, which remote students can more easily avoid.
If the MFT program has a class schedule that allows you to continue working while you complete your master’s
MFT online programs offer a flexible schedule that most working professionals need. Even a part-time job while enrolled in a master’s program with asynchronous, self-paced courses can help you earn income while you move toward graduation.
How much the college charges for you to apply
The cost of applying to schools may seem somewhat insignificant. If you’re applying to several schools, however, you could be looking at $500 or more in application fees alone. Keep an eye out for programs that have minimal or no application fee. If you are an active duty service member or a veteran, many schools waive the application fee.
Ways to Lower the Cost of Your Online MFT Degree
There are many ways for remote MFT degree-seekers to keep their education costs down and reduce financial stress. The following three approaches can significantly help you spend less on tuition, fees, and expenses.
- Look into all the scholarship options you may be eligible for.
Scholarships are essentially free money you do not need to pay back and are available at local, regional, and national levels. Many are also reserved for particular demographics of students, like those for BIPOC students, those pursuing degrees in certain academic areas, and students residing in a specific area. There are also often scholarships available directly through your graduate school or department. Check out EduMed’s scholarship page for a look at 50 of the best scholarships available.
- Ask about employer tuition reimbursement
If you are currently a working professional, tuition assistance may be available through your employer. Federal tax law allows you to receive up to $5,250 in tuition reimbursement every academic year that you don’t need to claim on your federal taxes. Funds can be used for tuition, books, miscellaneous campus and technology fees, and some school-related supplies.
- Consider tuition payment plans
Many schools offer short-term installment plans that allow you to split the total amount you owe into smaller monthly payments. Many schools offer these plans at no interest. There might be a one-time sign-up fee, but it’s less than what you would be charged for a late or unpaid balance.
