2026 Best Student Counseling Schools
Looking for the best Student Counseling programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 493 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Teaching Degree Search reviewed schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Student Counseling Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
No school ranked higher than Seattle University this year in the United States. Located in Seattle, WA, Seattle University is a private not-for-profit institution. Seattle University graduates 76% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,721. Students borrow a median of $22,289 to complete their Student Counseling program here. See the full Seattle University profile
The strong Student Counseling programs at Seattle Pacific University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Based in Seattle, WA, Seattle Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,407. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $25,188. Get the full Seattle Pacific University report
The strong Student Counseling programs at Fresno Pacific University earned it the #3 place in the United States. Fresno Pacific University is a private not-for-profit school based in Fresno, CA. Fresno Pacific University posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,660. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $24,596. See the full Fresno Pacific University profile
You'll be in good company at University Of Puget Sound, which ranked #4 this year. Located in Tacoma, WA, University Of Puget Sound is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,898. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $25,287. Read more about University Of Puget Sound
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System came in at #5 on this year's Student Counseling ranking in the United States. Based in Aliso Viejo, CA, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,540. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System Student Counseling students take on a median of $27,471 in debt. More on Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System
Saint Marys College Of California ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Student Counseling schools. Located in Moraga, CA, Saint Marys College Of California is a private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $57,803. Graduates carry a median of $25,041 in student loans. Read the full report on Saint Marys College Of California
Concordia University Irvine ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Student Counseling schools. Based in Irvine, CA, Concordia University Irvine is a private not-for-profit institution. Concordia University Irvine graduates 58% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,480. Students borrow a median of $26,085 to complete their Student Counseling program here. More on Concordia University Irvine
The College Of New Jersey did well this year, earning the #8 position. This public school is set in Ewing, NJ. The College Of New Jersey graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $19,632, compared with $25,752 for out-of-state students. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $24,429. More on The College Of New Jersey
Drake University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Student Counseling schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Des Moines, IA. About 73% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,960. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete their Student Counseling program here. More on Drake University
University Of Virginia Main Campus did well this year, earning the #10 position. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school based in Charlottesville, VA. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. The median Student Counseling program debt is $18,627. See the full University Of Virginia Main Campus profile
Creighton University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Student Counseling schools. Located in Omaha, NE, Creighton University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. In-state tuition and fees average $48,856. Creighton University Student Counseling students take on a median of $25,831 in debt. Read the full report on Creighton University
Westminster College Pa came in at #12 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in New Wilmington, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,290. Graduates carry a median of $26,528 in student loans. Read more about Westminster College Pa
University Of Scranton ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Student Counseling schools. Located in Scranton, PA, University Of Scranton is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Scranton posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,777. University Of Scranton Student Counseling students take on a median of $26,500 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Scranton
Teachers College At Columbia University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Student Counseling schools. Located in New York, NY, Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit institution. Read the full report on Teachers College At Columbia University
Wake Forest University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Student Counseling schools. Set in Winston-Salem, NC, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,642. The median Student Counseling program debt is $21,577. Read more about Wake Forest University
Vanderbilt University came in at #16 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Nashville, TN. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. The median Student Counseling program debt is $13,975. More on Vanderbilt University
Loyola Marymount University landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,867. Graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans. Read more about Loyola Marymount University
University Of Georgia did well this year, earning the #18 position. Located in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. The median Student Counseling program debt is $21,792. Read more about University Of Georgia
California Lutheran University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Student Counseling schools. Set in Thousand Oaks, CA, California Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $52,560 in tuition and fees. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $22,727. Read the full report on California Lutheran University
Gonzaga University came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Located in Spokane, WA, Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $55,480. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $25,188. Read more about Gonzaga University
Loyola University Baltimore came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Set in Baltimore, MD, Loyola University Baltimore is a private not-for-profit institution. Loyola University Baltimore graduates 79% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $57,150. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Student Counseling program here. Read the full report on Loyola University Baltimore
Alfred University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Student Counseling schools. Alfred University is a private not-for-profit school based in Alfred, NY. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,138. Students borrow a median of $25,706 to complete their Student Counseling program here. Get the full Alfred University report
Manhattan College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Student Counseling schools. Manhattan College is a private not-for-profit school based in Riverdale, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. In-state tuition and fees average $53,400. The median Student Counseling program debt is $25,968. Read the full report on Manhattan College
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a public school based in College Park, MD. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $20,836. More on University Of Maryland College Park
Valdosta State University placed #25 among Student Counseling schools in the United States. Located in Valdosta, GA, Valdosta State University is a public institution. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,124, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,661 to complete their Student Counseling program here. Read the full report on Valdosta State University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Student Counseling Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
California State University Los Angeles landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Set in Los Angeles, CA, California State University Los Angeles is a public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $14,430. Read more about California State University Los Angeles
Whitworth University ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Student Counseling schools. Based in Spokane, WA, Whitworth University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,880. Students borrow a median of $26,051 to complete their Student Counseling program here. Read more about Whitworth University
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Student Counseling schools. Located in Columbia, MO, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. University Of Missouri Columbia Student Counseling students take on a median of $21,818 in debt. More on University Of Missouri Columbia
Harvard University placed #29 among Student Counseling schools in the United States. Based in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete their Student Counseling program here. More on Harvard University
University Of Redlands placed #30 among Student Counseling schools in the United States. University Of Redlands is a private not-for-profit school based in Redlands, CA. University Of Redlands posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. In-state tuition and fees run about $60,878. The median Student Counseling program debt is $27,175. More on University Of Redlands
California State University Long Beach ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Student Counseling schools. Based in Long Beach, CA, California State University Long Beach is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. The median Student Counseling program debt is $15,671. More on California State University Long Beach
Johns Hopkins University came in at #32 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Baltimore, MD. About 94% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $13,426. Read the full report on Johns Hopkins University
University Of La Verne came in at #33 in this year's ranking. University Of La Verne is a private not-for-profit school based in La Verne, CA. About 63% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $49,470. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $26,314. Read more about University Of La Verne
Villanova University came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Based in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,776. Graduates carry a median of $26,184 in student loans. See the full Villanova University profile
New York University did well this year, earning the #35 position. New York University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete their Student Counseling program here. See the full New York University profile
Northern State University landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Located in Aberdeen, SD, Northern State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,845, compared with $11,947 for out-of-state students. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $26,143. Read more about Northern State University
Wayne State College did well this year, earning the #38 position. This public school is set in Wayne, NE. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,171. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $22,974. More on Wayne State College
Winona State University landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Winona State University is a public school based in Winona, MN. Winona State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Students borrow a median of $24,551 to complete their Student Counseling program here. Read more about Winona State University
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill did well this year, earning the #40 position. This public school is set in Chapel Hill, NC. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $15,117. See the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill profile
Bradley University ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Student Counseling schools. Set in Peoria, IL, Bradley University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,160. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $26,380. Read the full report on Bradley University
George Washington University came in at #42 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. Get the full George Washington University report
Chadron State College did well this year, earning the #43 position. Chadron State College is a public school based in Chadron, NE. Chadron State College posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. Students borrow a median of $22,912 to complete their Student Counseling program here. See the full Chadron State College profile
Concordia University Chicago came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Based in River Forest, IL, Concordia University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 36% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,488. The median Student Counseling program debt is $26,956. Read the full report on Concordia University Chicago
University Of Southern California placed #45 among Student Counseling schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Get the full University Of Southern California report
George Mason University placed #46 among Student Counseling schools in the United States. Set in Fairfax, VA, George Mason University is a public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $23,529. Read the full report on George Mason University
University Of Wisconsin River Falls landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Located in River Falls, WI, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin River Falls graduates 57% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. University Of Wisconsin River Falls Student Counseling students take on a median of $24,245 in debt. See the full University Of Wisconsin River Falls profile
Lewis University came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Based in Romeoville, IL, Lewis University is a private not-for-profit institution. Lewis University graduates 67% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. Students borrow a median of $24,838 to complete their Student Counseling program here. Get the full Lewis University report
Syracuse University landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Set in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. Syracuse University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Students borrow a median of $26,130 to complete their Student Counseling program here. Read the full report on Syracuse University
Chapman University landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Orange, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Students from in state pay about $64,984 in tuition and fees. Chapman University Student Counseling students take on a median of $21,657 in debt. Read more about Chapman University
San Jose State University placed #51 among Student Counseling schools in the United States. Set in San Jose, CA, San Jose State University is a public institution. San Jose State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. More on San Jose State University
Best Student Counseling Schools by Degree Level
Explore rankings for a specific degree level:
- Best Student Counseling Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Student Counseling Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Student Counseling Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Student Counseling Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Student Counseling Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Student Counseling Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Student Counseling Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Teaching Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 493 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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