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. The schools below stand out for the salaries their student counseling graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 11 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.
Leading the list is George Mason University, our #1 for student counseling graduate salaries in Virginia. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a public institution. Student Counseling graduates of George Mason University earn a median of about $63,948 a year early in their careers.
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying student counseling schools. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus typically earn about $58,953 annually.
Virginia State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in student counseling, landing the #3 spot this year. Virginia State University is a public school located in the suburb of Petersburg. Student Counseling graduates of Virginia State University earn a median of about $56,816 a year early in their careers.
James Madison University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in student counseling, landing the #4 spot this year. James Madison University is a public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Early-career student counseling graduates from James Madison University make a median of around $67,514 per year.
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying student counseling schools. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution. Student Counseling graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $56,120 a year early in their careers.
Hampton University came in at #6 for student counseling graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Hampton University is a private not-for-profit institution. Student Counseling graduates of Hampton University earn a median of about $54,520 a year early in their careers.
Old Dominion University earned the #7 position for student counseling graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a public institution. Student Counseling graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of about $58,426 a year early in their careers.
Liberty University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying student counseling schools. Liberty University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Early-career student counseling graduates from Liberty University make a median of around $54,563 per year.
College Of William And Mary landed the #9 spot for student counseling salaries this year. College Of William And Mary is a public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. Early-career student counseling graduates from College Of William And Mary make a median of around $56,301 per year.
Radford University earned the #10 position for student counseling graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a public institution. After graduating, student counseling degree recipients from Radford University typically earn about $51,423 annually.
Regent University came in at #11 for student counseling graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career student counseling graduates from Regent University make a median of around $56,127 per year.
The ranking above is published 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 · 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.