by our College Data Analytics Team
[Student Counseling](/majors/education/student-counseling/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying student counseling schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send student counseling graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Concordia University Chicago earned the #1 spot for highest-paid student counseling graduates in Illinois. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career student counseling graduates from Concordia University Chicago make a median of around $76,150 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Northeastern Illinois University earned it the #2 place for student counseling. Northeastern Illinois University is a public school located in the city of Chicago. After graduating, student counseling degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University typically earn about $68,449 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in student counseling will find them at Roosevelt University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Student Counseling graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of about $60,768 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes Lewis University one of the highest-paying schools for student counseling. Lewis University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. Students who complete the student counseling program here go on to a median salary of roughly $64,864.
Northern Illinois University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in student counseling, landing the #5 spot this year. Northern Illinois University is a public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Student Counseling graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $67,261 a year early in their careers.
Depaul University came in at #6 for student counseling graduate earnings this year. Depaul University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Student Counseling graduates of Depaul University earn a median of about $64,635 a year early in their careers.
Bradley University earned the #7 position for student counseling graduate earnings this year. Bradley University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. Early-career student counseling graduates from Bradley University make a median of around $53,679 per year.
Eastern Illinois University earned the #8 position for student counseling graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a public institution. Student Counseling graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of about $51,977 a year early in their careers.
Illinois State University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for student counseling. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a public institution. After graduating, student counseling degree recipients from Illinois State University typically earn about $50,208 annually.
Western Illinois University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying student counseling schools. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a public institution. Student Counseling graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of about $52,646 a year early in their careers.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their student counseling graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 10 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.