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.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying student counseling schools.
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If you want to know which schools send student counseling graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
For graduate earnings in student counseling, no school beat Valdosta State University this year. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a public institution. Student Counseling graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of about $67,508 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes Fort Valley State University one of the highest-paying schools for student counseling. Fort Valley State University is a public school located in the town of Fort Valley. Early-career student counseling graduates from Fort Valley State University make a median of around $63,713 per year.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Georgia one of the highest-paying schools for student counseling. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a public institution. Students who complete the student counseling program here go on to a median salary of roughly $67,053.
Mercer University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in student counseling, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, student counseling degree recipients from Mercer University typically earn about $52,203 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in student counseling will find them at Georgia State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a public institution. Student Counseling graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of about $57,169 a year early in their careers.
Augusta University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for student counseling. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a public institution. Student Counseling graduates of Augusta University earn a median of about $58,146 a year early in their careers.
University Of West Georgia ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying student counseling schools. University Of West Georgia is a public school located in the town of Carrollton. After graduating, student counseling degree recipients from University Of West Georgia typically earn about $54,483 annually.
Columbus State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying student counseling schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a public institution. After graduating, student counseling degree recipients from Columbus State University typically earn about $58,393 annually.
Georgia Southern University came in at #9 for student counseling graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a public institution. After graduating, student counseling degree recipients from Georgia Southern University typically earn about $48,315 annually.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries student counseling graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 9 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.