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