by our College Data Analytics Team
[Student Counseling](/majors/education/student-counseling/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find where student counseling graduates earn the most.
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If you want to know which schools send student counseling graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Michigan State University the top school for student counseling graduate earnings in Michigan. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a public institution. After graduating, student counseling degree recipients from Michigan State University typically earn about $66,681 annually.
A rank of #2 makes Central Michigan University one of the highest-paying schools for student counseling. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a public institution. After graduating, student counseling degree recipients from Central Michigan University typically earn about $61,318 annually.
Wayne State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in student counseling, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a public institution. Early-career student counseling graduates from Wayne State University make a median of around $62,834 per year.
A rank of #4 makes Oakland University one of the highest-paying schools for student counseling. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a public institution. Students who complete the student counseling program here go on to a median salary of roughly $60,137.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying student counseling schools. Eastern Michigan University is a public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. After graduating, student counseling degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University typically earn about $55,285 annually.
Grand Valley State University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for student counseling. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a public institution. Student Counseling graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of about $50,498 a year early in their careers.
Western Michigan University landed the #7 spot for student counseling salaries this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a public institution. Student Counseling graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of about $52,519 a year early in their careers.
The ranking above is published 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 · 7 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.