Looking for the best Bachelor's Degree in Counseling in Virginia? You should consider these top-tier undergraduate programs and jobs in the counseling field.
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The best degrees in Virginia for counseling offer a broad overview of a real-world, comprehensive understanding of the various aspects of the field. A bachelor's degree will open doors for employment to diverse career paths, and with a bachelor's degree, students gain the skills needed to move forward in their careers.
With a bachelor's degree, students typically make $1,334 per week, or $5,336 a month and $69,368 per year.
Counseling Bachelor's Programs for You
Working and Living in Virginia in the Counseling Profession
Counseling is a rewarding career that requires a great deal of preparation. In order to become a professional counselor, you must first earn a counseling degree. This degree will prepare you to address mental health problems, understand crisis prevention, and implement intervention methods, as well as offer home-based care.
The median annual salary in Virginia is $47,200, or $22.69 an hour. This statistic includes all 3,753,230 employees in Virginia. According to the BLS, the lowest 10% of earners make $23,190 a year, while the highest 10% make $125,820. The following lists the average earnings for counselors in Virginia.
Key
Counselors in Virginia
Counselors Nationally
All Occupations in Virginia
All Occupations Nationally
Salaries for Counselors in Virginia and Nationwide
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Based on the cost of living index, Virginia is ranked number 32 out of 51 states (including Washington, D.C.) on the list of states regarding the cost of living. The cost of living index measures the national average’s cost of living against specific states. Assuming that the U.S. average is 100, all locations in the U.S. are either higher (more expensive) or lower (less expensive). In comparison with the national average, Virginia's cost of living index is 103.2, which is 3.2% higher. Below, you can compare the cost of groceries, housing, utilities, etc. in Virginia against the U.S. average.
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There is a projected growth of 8.9% in the counselor profession over the next decade. There is a projected change in employment from 54,300 in 2020 to 59,200 in 2030, according to the BLS. Bachelor's degrees are often required for these positions. The following are typical job titles:
Counselors
AIDS Counselor
Anger Control Counselor
Grief Counselor
HIV Counselor
Sexual Assault Counselor
Bachelor's Degrees in Counseling in Virginia
#1 Bachelor’s Degrees in Counseling in Virginia
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
4 years
Online + Campus
Liberty University, a Lynchburg-based private college, boasts in-person and online study across 91 bachelor's programs. The bachelor's in psychology and crisis counseling equips enrollees with industry-relevant knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a career. Bachelor's degree-holders can pursue a counseling-specific career or graduate studies.
Enrollees can access career services, academic advising, and other success-geared resources. Students can meet with the financial aid office to explore funding opportunities and determine eligibility.
Liberty University at a Glance:
Type of School: Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above
Admission Rate: 51%
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 17-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $15,417
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $15,417
Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $35,800
Average Tuition
In-state
$14,791
Out-of-state
$14,791
Retention Rate
81%
Admission Rate
50%
Students Enrolled
93,349
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
93%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#2 Bachelor’s Degrees in Counseling in Virginia
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
4 years
Online + Campus
With its main campus in Harrisonburg, James Madison University facilitates in-person and online learning across 48 bachelor's programs. The school's bachelor's in psychology prepares degree-seekers for the demands of a career through rigorous study, relevant coursework, and other learning opportunities. The program prepares students for their postgraduate path, whether they pursue a career or graduate studies.
Career services and academic advising are just two of the numerous institutional resources centering around student success. Eligible enrollees can benefit from financial aid like scholarships, fellowships, and grants. The typical undergraduate receives $8,458 in financial aid.
James Madison University at a Glance:
Type of School: Public, 4-year or above
Admission Rate: 77%
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 16-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $7,250
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $23,564
Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $46,100
Average Tuition
In-state
$7,250
Out-of-state
$23,564
Retention Rate
89%
Admission Rate
80%
Students Enrolled
21,594
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
96%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#3 Bachelor’s Degrees in Counseling in Virginia
Averett University
Danville, VA
4 years
Campus
Averett University boasts a robust hybrid learning environment, supporting both in-person and online education modalities across 52 bachelor's programs. Students seeking the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the field can enroll in the school's online bachelor's in psychology. The program also prepares students for further educational pursuits, such as graduate studies.
Enrollees benefit from many resources throughout their studies, including career services and academic advising. Learners can connect with the Office of Financial Aid to explore funding opportunities, such as scholarships, fellowships, and federal financial aid.
Averett University at a Glance:
Type of School: Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above
Admission Rate: 65%
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 17-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $35,450
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $35,450
Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $40,300
Average Tuition
In-state
$36,520
Out-of-state
$36,520
Retention Rate
59%
Admission Rate
69%
Students Enrolled
887
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
94%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Financing a Bachelor's Degree in Counseling
You may be able to receive financial aid to help pay for college. Many opportunities for financial aid help students cover tuition costs. Students may be eligible to receive federal and private student loans as well. The colleges you are interested in may also provide financial aid to you.
Checklist for Maximizing Your Financial Aid:
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) should be completed to receive federal aid.
Students should contact the school's financial aid department for scholarship, grant, work-study, and loan options.
Average Cost of Attending College in Virginia
The cost of attending college in Virginia varies by institution. There are some similarities that exist among both public and private colleges. For more information on attending a public institution, please take a moment to review the information below.
Public 4-Year School Tuition Rates: Virginia vs. National Average
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Virginia
National Average
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How about attending a private college? Typically, private schools charge a higher rate for tuition. You can learn more about private colleges in the table below.
Private 4-Year School Tuition Rates: Virginia vs. National Average
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Virginia
National Average
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Federal Student Loan Information
Would borrowing student loans help you pay for school? Before committing to a loan, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
You need to be sure that you will be able to make all scheduled payments on time to repay the loan when due.
You should think about whether earning a degree from a particular school is going to help you in your career goals.
Understanding the type of repayment schedule you accept is crucial for avoiding unnecessary hardship once you have entered the workforce.
Please take a moment to review the data below to learn what students typically borrow.
Undergraduate Federal Loans
Demographic
Percent who borrowed
Amount borrowed
Total
66.6%
$27,400
Female
69.6%
$28,100
Male
62.5%
$26,500
White, not Hispanic or Latino
66.1%
$26,700
Black, not Hispanic or Latino
85.7%
$34,800
Hispanic or Latino/a, of any race
67.7%
$25,700
Asian, not Hispanic or Latino
43%
$22,700
Other or Two or more races,
not Hispanic or Latino
The main differences between an online degree and a degree completed on campus are the cost and class size. There are many advantages to studying online, including flexibility, affordability, and convenience. There is typically a higher cost associated with on-campus degrees due to student fees, which are optional for distance students. However, there are many benefits to attending in-person classes in spite of the disadvantages.
There are a number of differences between public colleges and private colleges. Generally, private schools charge higher tuition fees. Typically, the government determines the costs for public institutions, which can be covered by grants and scholarships sponsored by the government. Private institutions set tuition costs, but merit scholarships are generally available to students with high GPAs or SAT scores.
In addition, private colleges tend to offer smaller classes, so students have more opportunities to speak with professors one-on-one. This allows students to learn what's possible within their chosen field. An assessment of the pros and cons of attending a private versus a public institution is presented below.
Pros and Cons
Private
Unique program offerings
Cultural or religious options
Local prestige
Higher costs
Less regulatory oversight
Public
Government-issued tuition costs
Government funding, benefits, and regulation
Oftentimes large classrooms
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for counselors in Virginia?
Counselors make a mean annual wage of $43,320 in Virginia.
Are the careers associated with counseling majors in high demand?
The total number of counselors is expected to change by 8.9% from 2020 to 2030.
Can I study for a bachelor's in counseling online?
A bachelor's degree in counseling is possible to obtain online. In today's environment, most schools offer some form of online education as part of their program.
In order to successfully complete a bachelor's degree, how long does it take?
Typically, full-time students complete their bachelor's degree within four years of enrolling. The completion time of part-time students will vary from student to student.
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