by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 138 U.S. colleges awarded 4,547 degrees and certificates in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 95% of graduates. College Factual ranks 96 schools in its 2027 Best Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $45,762 one year after completing, rising to $55,481 after four years.
A degree in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling covers Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling. A Program That Prepares Individuals For The Independent Professional Practice Of Marriage And Family Therapy, Involving The Diagnosis Of Cognitive, Affective, And Behavioral Domain Disorders, Both Mental And Emotional, Within The Context Of Marriage And Family Systems And The Application Of Short- And Long-Term Therapeutic Strategies In Family Group Contexts. Includes Instruction In Psychotherapy, Family Systems And Studies, Small Group Intervention And Therapy, Marital Problems, Depression, Identification Of Psychopathologies And Behavioral Disorders, Holistic Health Care, Practice Management, Applicable Regulations, And Professional Standards And Ethics.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, marriage and family therapy/counseling is a popular field of study, with 4,547 degrees awarded annually. 138 colleges award marriage and family therapy/counseling degrees, an average of 33 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 521.
By level, the 4,547 awards include 4,335 master’s degrees and 212 doctorates.
Women earned 84% of marriage and family therapy/counseling degrees and certificates in the latest year (3,805 of 4,547). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (2,268) and Hispanic or Latino (764), and international students earned 116.
College Factual ranks 96 schools in its 2027 Best Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling Schools ranking, including 93 for master’s degrees and 7 for doctorates. It also ranks marriage and family therapy/counseling schools within 26 states. In all, 138 colleges offer marriage and family therapy/counseling programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common marriage and family therapy/counseling credential is the master’s degree: 4,335 of the 4,547 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to marriage and family therapy/counseling call most for Active Listening, Speaking and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of Psychology, English Language and Therapy and Counseling, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Expression and Written Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a marriage and family therapy/counseling degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 4,335 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 212 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to marriage and family therapy/counseling, at 39.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 39.2% |
| Master’s degree | 34.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 21.7% |
| First professional degree | 3.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.6% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling, with an average median salary of $86,402. Typical job titles include Human Relations Professor, Clinical Psychology Professor, Educational Psychology Teacher and Adjunct Psychology Faculty Member.
The occupation related to marriage and family therapy/counseling with the most projected jobs is Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary, at 513,614.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | 513,614 | -3.0% |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | 229,049 | -3.8% |
Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling graduates earn a median $45,762 one year after completing their program, $55,481 after four years and $50,915 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $45,762 |
| 4 years | $55,481 |
| 5 years | $50,915 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to marriage and family therapy/counseling, with a median salary of $98,479.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,479 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $74,325 |
Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling has 12 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 31,569 degrees a year; the largest are Mental Health Counseling/Counselor (12,039), Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling (6,362) and Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions, Other (3,934). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
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