by our College Data Analytics Team
[Student Counseling](/majors/education/student-counseling/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the early-career earnings of their student counseling graduates.
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If you want to know which schools send student counseling graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Miami University Oxford tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying student counseling schools in Ohio. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a public institution. Early-career student counseling graduates from Miami University Oxford make a median of around $60,995 per year.
Cleveland State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in student counseling, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a public institution. After graduating, student counseling degree recipients from Cleveland State University typically earn about $55,353 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in student counseling will find them at Capital University, which ranked #3. Capital University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Columbus. Students who complete the student counseling program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,362.
Students chasing top earnings in student counseling will find them at University Of Dayton, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career student counseling graduates from University Of Dayton make a median of around $58,580 per year.
University Of Akron Main Campus produces some of the highest-paid graduates in student counseling, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Akron. After graduating, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus typically earn about $58,659 annually.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for student counseling salaries this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the student counseling program here go on to a median salary of roughly $56,791.
Kent State University At Kent placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for student counseling. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a public institution. Early-career student counseling graduates from Kent State University At Kent make a median of around $55,287 per year.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #8 for student counseling graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. Student Counseling graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of about $52,977 a year early in their careers.
Xavier University came in at #9 for student counseling graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the student counseling program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,343.
Wright State University Main Campus placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for student counseling. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, student counseling degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus typically earn about $42,187 annually.
Malone University earned the #11 position for student counseling graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Canton, Malone University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, student counseling degree recipients from Malone University typically earn about $41,635 annually.
This list is compiled 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 · 11 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.