2026 Best Student Counseling Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Student Counseling master’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 493 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Teaching Degree Search evaluated schools to build 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Our analysis found Seattle University to be the best Student Counseling school in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Seattle, WA. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set in Seattle, WA, Seattle Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $40,407. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete their Student Counseling program here. See the full Seattle Pacific University profile
You'll be in good company at Fresno Pacific University, which ranked #3 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fresno, CA. About 50% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $36,660. Students borrow a median of $24,596 to complete their Student Counseling program here. Read the full report on Fresno Pacific University
A rank of #4 makes University Of Puget Sound one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Tacoma, WA, University Of Puget Sound is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Puget Sound posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,898. Students borrow a median of $25,287 to complete their Student Counseling program here. Get the full University Of Puget Sound report
A rank of #5 makes Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Aliso Viejo, CA, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,540. The median Student Counseling program debt is $27,471. Read the full report 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. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $57,803. The median Student Counseling program debt is $25,041. See the full Saint Marys College Of California profile
Concordia University Irvine came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Concordia University Irvine is a private not-for-profit school based in Irvine, CA. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,480. Concordia University Irvine Student Counseling students take on a median of $26,085 in debt. See the full Concordia University Irvine profile
The College Of New Jersey did well this year, earning the #8 position. The College Of New Jersey is a public school based in Ewing, NJ. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $19,632, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. The College Of New Jersey Student Counseling students take on a median of $24,429 in debt. Get the full The College Of New Jersey report
Drake University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Located in Des Moines, IA, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,960. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $22,273. Get the full Drake University report
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #10 among Student Counseling schools in the United States. Set in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. The median Student Counseling program debt is $18,627. Get the full University Of Virginia Main Campus report
Creighton University landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Based in Omaha, NE, Creighton University is a private not-for-profit institution. Creighton University posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. In-state tuition and fees average $48,856. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $25,831. See the full Creighton University profile
Westminster College Pa came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Located in New Wilmington, PA, Westminster College Pa is a private not-for-profit institution. Westminster College Pa posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,290. The median Student Counseling program debt is $26,528. Read more about Westminster College Pa
University Of Scranton landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Scranton, PA. About 80% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $53,777. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $26,500. Read more about University Of Scranton
Wake Forest University did well this year, earning the #14 position. Set in Winston-Salem, NC, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,642. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $21,577. More on Wake Forest University
Loyola Marymount University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Student Counseling schools. Set in Los Angeles, CA, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. Loyola Marymount University graduates 79% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $61,867 in tuition and fees. The median Student Counseling program debt is $22,248. More on Loyola Marymount University
Vanderbilt University placed #16 among Student Counseling schools in the United States. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN. About 94% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete their Student Counseling program here. More on Vanderbilt University
Manhattan College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Student Counseling schools. Manhattan College is a private not-for-profit school based in Riverdale, NY. Manhattan College graduates 64% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $53,400. Graduates carry a median of $25,968 in student loans. Get the full Manhattan College report
Alfred University landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Alfred, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Students from in state pay about $38,138 in tuition and fees. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $25,706. Get the full Alfred University report
California Lutheran University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Student Counseling schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Thousand Oaks, CA. About 70% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,560. Students borrow a median of $22,727 to complete their Student Counseling program here. Get the full California Lutheran University report
Gonzaga University placed #20 among Student Counseling schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Spokane, WA. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $55,480 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $25,188 in student loans. Get the full Gonzaga University report
Loyola University Baltimore landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. Set in Baltimore, MD, Loyola University Baltimore is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. Students from in state pay about $57,150 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Student Counseling program here. Read more about Loyola University Baltimore
California State University Los Angeles came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Based in Los Angeles, CA, California State University Los Angeles is a public institution. California State University Los Angeles posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $14,430. Read the full report on California State University Los Angeles
Teachers College At Columbia University did well this year, earning the #23 position. Set in New York, NY, Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full Teachers College At Columbia University profile
University Of Redlands landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. Based in Redlands, CA, University Of Redlands is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Redlands posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. In-state tuition and fees average $60,878. The median Student Counseling program debt is $27,175. Read more about University Of Redlands
Whitworth University placed #25 among Student Counseling schools in the United States. Whitworth University is a private not-for-profit school based in Spokane, WA. About 71% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,880. Students borrow a median of $26,051 to complete their Student Counseling program here. Get the full Whitworth University report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Student Counseling Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #26 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Columbia, MO. University Of Missouri Columbia posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete their Student Counseling program here. Read more about University Of Missouri Columbia
California State University Long Beach placed #27 among Student Counseling schools in the United States. Set in Long Beach, CA, California State University Long Beach is a public institution. California State University Long Beach posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete their Student Counseling program here. Get the full California State University Long Beach report
Johns Hopkins University came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Set in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. The median Student Counseling program debt is $13,426. More on Johns Hopkins University
University Of La Verne came in at #29 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in La Verne, CA. University Of La Verne posts a six-year graduation rate of 63%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,470. University Of La Verne Student Counseling students take on a median of $26,314 in debt. Get the full University Of La Verne report
Villanova University did well this year, earning the #30 position. Villanova University is a private not-for-profit school based in Villanova, PA. About 92% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $67,776. Villanova University Student Counseling students take on a median of $26,184 in debt. Get the full Villanova University report
George Washington University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Student Counseling schools. Located in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,710. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $22,910. Read more about George Washington University
New York University ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Student Counseling schools. Located in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $21,897. See the full New York University profile
University Of Georgia landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Set in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. University Of Georgia Student Counseling students take on a median of $21,792 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Georgia
Northern State University came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Located in Aberdeen, SD, Northern State University is a public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,947. Graduates carry a median of $26,143 in student loans. Get the full Northern State University report
Wayne State College did well this year, earning the #36 position. Set in Wayne, NE, Wayne State College is a public institution. Wayne State College graduates 52% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,171. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $22,974. Read more about Wayne State College
Winona State University did well this year, earning the #37 position. Located in Winona, MN, Winona State University is a public institution. Winona State University graduates 56% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Graduates carry a median of $24,551 in student loans. Read more about Winona State University
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Based in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $15,117. More on University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chadron State College ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Student Counseling schools. Based in Chadron, NE, Chadron State College is a public institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,294. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $22,912. Read the full report on Chadron State College
Concordia University Chicago placed #40 among Student Counseling schools in the United States. Set in River Forest, IL, Concordia University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Concordia University Chicago posts a six-year graduation rate of 36%. In-state tuition and fees average $37,488. Graduates carry a median of $26,956 in student loans. See the full Concordia University Chicago profile
Bradley University placed #41 among Student Counseling schools in the United States. Based in Peoria, IL, Bradley University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $42,160. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $26,380. More on Bradley University
George Mason University came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Based 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. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete their Student Counseling program here. Read more about George Mason University
University Of Southern California ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Student Counseling schools. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. More on University Of Southern California
University Of Wisconsin River Falls did well this year, earning the #44 position. This public school is set in River Falls, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,008, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $24,245. Read more about University Of Wisconsin River Falls
Lewis University came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Located in Romeoville, IL, Lewis University is a private not-for-profit institution. Lewis University graduates 67% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $39,200 in tuition and fees. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $24,838. More on Lewis University
Chapman University ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Student Counseling schools. Based in Orange, CA, Chapman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,984. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $21,657. Get the full Chapman University report
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University did well this year, earning the #47 position. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public school based in Blacksburg, VA. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. The median Student Counseling program debt is $23,393. Read more about Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
San Jose State University came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Set in San Jose, CA, San Jose State University is a public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. More on San Jose State University
Loras College landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Loras College is a private not-for-profit school based in Dubuque, IA. About 68% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $39,824 in tuition and fees. Loras College Student Counseling students take on a median of $26,528 in debt. Read more about Loras College
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo did well this year, earning the #50 position. Set in San Luis Obispo, CA, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Graduates carry a median of $19,273 in student loans. Read the full report on California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
California State University San Bernardino did well this year, earning the #51 position. Located in San Bernardino, CA, California State University San Bernardino is a public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete their Student Counseling program here. Read the full report on California State University San Bernardino
Related Student Counseling Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Student Counseling Schools (All Levels)
- 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 Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced 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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