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 14 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.
Westminster College Pa tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying student counseling schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the rural area of New Wilmington, Westminster College Pa is a private not-for-profit institution. Student Counseling graduates of Westminster College Pa earn a median of about $62,598 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Eastern University earned it the #2 place for student counseling. Eastern University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Davids. Student Counseling graduates of Eastern University earn a median of about $60,758 a year early in their careers.
Holy Family University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in student counseling, landing the #3 spot this year. Holy Family University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Student Counseling graduates of Holy Family University earn a median of about $60,350 a year early in their careers.
Villanova University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in student counseling, landing the #4 spot this year. Villanova University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. After graduating, student counseling degree recipients from Villanova University typically earn about $72,158 annually.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania produces some of the highest-paid graduates in student counseling, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. After graduating, student counseling degree recipients from West Chester University Of Pennsylvania typically earn about $57,497 annually.
Gwynedd Mercy College placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for student counseling. Located in the suburb of Gwynedd Valley, Gwynedd Mercy College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, student counseling degree recipients from Gwynedd Mercy College typically earn about $53,555 annually.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #7 spot for student counseling salaries this year. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a public school located in the town of Shippensburg. Early-career student counseling graduates from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania make a median of around $58,618 per year.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for student counseling. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Students who complete the student counseling program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,837.
Duquesne University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for student counseling. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a private not-for-profit institution. Student Counseling graduates of Duquesne University earn a median of about $51,561 a year early in their careers.
Lehigh University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for student counseling. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit institution. Student Counseling graduates of Lehigh University earn a median of about $54,934 a year early in their careers.
Marywood University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying student counseling schools. Marywood University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. After graduating, student counseling degree recipients from Marywood University typically earn about $47,361 annually.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #12 for student counseling graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the student counseling program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,320.
Carlow University earned the #13 position for student counseling graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carlow University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, student counseling degree recipients from Carlow University typically earn about $47,107 annually.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for student counseling. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Early-career student counseling graduates from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania make a median of around $39,860 per year.
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 · 14 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.