20 Best MFT programs

If you aspire to become a mental health professional and work as a qualified therapist, supporting couples, families, and individuals, a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy (MFT) can put you on the right path. On this page, you’ll discover the top MFT master’s programs in the U.S., ranked by value for money.

While there may be limited opportunities in the MFT field for individuals with bachelor’s or associate’s degrees, if you want to advance your career and give yourself the best possible chance for progression, you should consider committing to a master’s degree in MFT.

Is an MFT degree worth it?

Yes, a master’s in marriage and family therapy is worth it. In all 50 states across the U.S., it’s a legal requirement for marriage and family therapists (MFTs) to complete a master’s or doctoral program, complete clinical experience, and secure a license as a therapist or counselor.

Since all states require a license, each state has a licensing board that regulates practitioners of marriage and family therapy.

» Read: Check out the best online MFT programs 

20 Best MFT programs

The following colleges are the leading schools for marriage and family therapy based on a combination of important factors, including post-graduation earnings, debt, and cost as reported by the U.S. government. See more on how we rank colleges below.

How we ranked MFT programs

To be featured on this list of best master’s in family therapy programs, programs needed to provide students with a degree whose debt is offset by its average earnings after graduation. This simply means that if a degree or school leaves students with lots of debt and poor earnings after graduation – you will never see it on any of our ranking pages.

To ensure our rankings remain objective, we rely exclusively on government data provided by College Scorecard and IPEDS.

We were tired of biased college ranking systems that factor in waffly variables like “prestige,” so we created a ranking methodology that only uses data provided by the U.S. Department of Education and National Center of Education Statistics.

What can you do with an MFT degree?

Most students go on to become Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) after graduation. As of 2024, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 63,340 active MFTs across the U.S. It anticipates a growth rate of 15%, or an additional 10,600 MFTs securing employment between 2022 and 2032.

The average annual salary for an MFT was $58,510, with the top 10% of MFTs capable of earning $104,710 and upwards. The most lucrative MFT positions are located within state government, with average salaries for MFTs here starting at $ 84,770.

According to O*Net, other career options for those looking to pursue a degree in marriage and family therapy include:

Where can I work?

There are multiple employment settings open to people with a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy, including:

• Outpatient healthcare and mental health treatment centers
• Hospitals
• Doctor’s offices
• Schools
• Social service agencies
• Addiction treatment centers
• Military
• Legal and correctional centers
• Churches and religious organizations
• Government departments

How to choose an MFT program

There are a lot of different MFT programs, and finding the right one for you can be overwhelming. Several things need to be considered, including cost, location, accreditation, and more.

While browsing for an MFT program, ask yourself:

• Do you want to study in person or online?
• What are the in-state vs. out-of-state tuition rates?
• What are the requirements for licensure in the state you want to study in?
• Do you prefer cohort or independent learning?
• Are there any internship requirements?
• Is this program accredited?