2026 Best Student Counseling Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Student Counseling master’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 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, Course Advisor 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:
Seattle University earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Set in Seattle, WA, Seattle University is a private not-for-profit institution. Seattle University posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. In-state tuition and fees run about $56,721. Graduates carry a median of $22,289 in student loans. See the full Seattle University profile
Seattle Pacific University came in at #2 on this year's Student Counseling ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Seattle, WA. Seattle Pacific University posts a six-year graduation rate of 62%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,407. Seattle Pacific University Student Counseling students take on a median of $25,188 in debt. More on Seattle Pacific University
You'll be in good company at Fresno Pacific University, which ranked #3 this year. Based in Fresno, CA, Fresno Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $36,660. Fresno Pacific University Student Counseling students take on a median of $24,596 in debt. Get the full Fresno Pacific University report
The strong Student Counseling programs at University Of Puget Sound earned it the #4 place in the United States. University Of Puget Sound is a private not-for-profit school based in Tacoma, WA. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. 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. 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. Students from in state pay about $57,803 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $25,041 in student loans. Get the full Saint Marys College Of California report
Concordia University Irvine did well this year, earning the #7 position. Concordia University Irvine is a private not-for-profit school based in Irvine, CA. About 58% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $43,480. Concordia University Irvine Student Counseling students take on a median of $26,085 in debt. Read the full report on Concordia University Irvine
The College Of New Jersey ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Student Counseling schools. Located in Ewing, NJ, The College Of New Jersey is a public institution. The College Of New Jersey graduates 86% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,632, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $24,429. See the full The College Of New Jersey profile
Drake University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Student Counseling schools. Drake University is a private not-for-profit school based in Des Moines, IA. Drake University posts a six-year graduation rate of 73%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,960. Graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans. Read more about Drake University
University Of Virginia Main Campus did well this year, earning the #10 position. This public school is set in Charlottesville, VA. University Of Virginia Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. University Of Virginia Main Campus Student Counseling students take on a median of $18,627 in debt. Read more about University Of Virginia Main Campus
Creighton University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Student Counseling schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Omaha, NE. Creighton University graduates 83% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $48,856. Creighton University Student Counseling students take on a median of $25,831 in debt. Read more about Creighton University
Westminster College Pa came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Based 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%. Students from in state pay about $40,290 in tuition and fees. The median Student Counseling program debt is $26,528. More on Westminster College Pa
University Of Scranton landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Based 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. Graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Read more about University Of Scranton
Wake Forest University came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Based in Winston-Salem, NC, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. Wake Forest University posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. Students from in state pay about $67,642 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete their Student Counseling program here. See the full Wake Forest University profile
Loyola Marymount University landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. Loyola Marymount University posts a six-year graduation rate of 79%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,867. Graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans. Get the full Loyola Marymount University report
Vanderbilt University placed #16 among Student Counseling schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Nashville, TN. Vanderbilt University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $13,975. More on Vanderbilt University
Manhattan College did well this year, earning the #17 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Riverdale, NY. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $53,400 in tuition and fees. The median Student Counseling program debt is $25,968. See the full Manhattan College profile
Alfred University landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Set in Alfred, NY, Alfred University is a private not-for-profit institution. Alfred University graduates 57% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,138. Alfred University Student Counseling students take on a median of $25,706 in debt. Read the full report on Alfred University
California Lutheran University landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Based in Thousand Oaks, CA, California Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $52,560. The median Student Counseling program debt is $22,727. See the full California Lutheran University profile
Gonzaga University landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Based in Spokane, WA, Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,480. Graduates carry a median of $25,188 in student loans. More on 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. About 79% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $57,150. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full Loyola University Baltimore profile
California State University Los Angeles landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. Set in Los Angeles, CA, California State University Los Angeles is a public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. The median Student Counseling program debt is $14,430. See the full California State University Los Angeles profile
Teachers College At Columbia University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Student Counseling schools. Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. Get the full Teachers College At Columbia University report
University Of Redlands placed #24 among Student Counseling schools in the United States. University Of Redlands is a private not-for-profit school based in Redlands, CA. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,878. Students borrow a median of $27,175 to complete their Student Counseling program here. See the full University Of Redlands profile
Whitworth University placed #25 among Student Counseling schools in the United States. 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. Graduates carry a median of $26,051 in student loans. Read the full report on Whitworth University
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 placed #26 among Student Counseling schools in the United States. University Of Missouri Columbia is a public school based in Columbia, MO. University Of Missouri Columbia posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $21,818. See the full University Of Missouri Columbia profile
California State University Long Beach ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Student Counseling schools. Based in Long Beach, CA, California State University Long Beach is a public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $15,671. See the full California State University Long Beach profile
Johns Hopkins University came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Based in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Johns Hopkins University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. See the full Johns Hopkins University profile
University Of La Verne came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Set in La Verne, CA, University Of La Verne is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,470. The median Student Counseling program debt is $26,314. Read more about University Of La Verne
Villanova University did well this year, earning the #30 position. Located in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,776. Graduates carry a median of $26,184 in student loans. Read more about Villanova University
George Washington University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Student Counseling schools. Set in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. George Washington University Student Counseling students take on a median of $22,910 in debt. More on George Washington University
New York University placed #32 among Student Counseling schools in the United States. 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete their Student Counseling program here. See the full New York University profile
University Of Georgia placed #34 among Student Counseling schools in the United States. Located in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $21,792. Get the full University Of Georgia report
Northern State University placed #34 among Student Counseling schools in the United States. Set in Aberdeen, SD, Northern State University is a public institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,947. Students borrow a median of $26,143 to complete their Student Counseling program here. Get the full Northern State University report
Wayne State College came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Based in Wayne, NE, Wayne State College is a public institution. About 52% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,171. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $22,974. Get the full Wayne State College report
Winona State University placed #37 among Student Counseling schools in the United States. Located in Winona, MN, Winona State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Winona State University Student Counseling students take on a median of $24,551 in debt. Get the full Winona State University report
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Set in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. The median Student Counseling program debt is $15,117. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill report
Chadron State College did well this year, earning the #39 position. Located in Chadron, NE, Chadron State College is a public institution. Chadron State College graduates 50% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. The median Student Counseling program debt is $22,912. Get the full Chadron State College report
Concordia University Chicago landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Concordia University Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in River Forest, IL. Concordia University Chicago graduates 36% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,488. Concordia University Chicago Student Counseling students take on a median of $26,956 in debt. Read the full report on Concordia University Chicago
Bradley University did well this year, earning the #41 position. Bradley University is a private not-for-profit school based in Peoria, IL. Bradley University posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,160. The median Student Counseling program debt is $26,380. See the full Bradley University profile
George Mason University placed #42 among Student Counseling schools in the United States. Located in Fairfax, VA, George Mason University is a public institution. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete their Student Counseling program here. Read the full report on George Mason University
University Of Southern California came in at #43 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. About 92% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete their Student Counseling program here. See the full University Of Southern California profile
University Of Wisconsin River Falls came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Based in River Falls, WI, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. The median Student Counseling program debt is $24,245. See the full University Of Wisconsin River Falls profile
Lewis University placed #45 among Student Counseling schools in the United States. Set in Romeoville, IL, Lewis University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Students from in state pay about $39,200 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans. More on Lewis University
Chapman University placed #46 among Student Counseling schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Orange, CA. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,984. Students borrow a median of $21,657 to complete their Student Counseling program here. More on Chapman University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Student Counseling schools. This public school is set in Blacksburg, VA. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Typical Student Counseling student debt is $23,393. Get the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University report
San Jose State University placed #48 among Student Counseling schools in the United States. This public school is set in San Jose, CA. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Read the full report on San Jose State University
Loras College did well this year, earning the #49 position. Set in Dubuque, IA, Loras College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Students from in state pay about $39,824 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,528 to complete their Student Counseling program here. Read the full report on Loras College
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Student Counseling schools. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public school based in San Luis Obispo, CA. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. The median Student Counseling program debt is $19,273. More on California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
California State University San Bernardino ranked #51 on our 2026 list of the best Student Counseling schools. Based 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, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. Read more about 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
The ranking above is published 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).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.