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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 29 schools on the early-career earnings of their student counseling graduates.
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Below are the schools whose student counseling graduates go on to earn the most.
Houston Baptist University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid student counseling graduates in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Student Counseling graduates of Houston Baptist University earn a median of about $67,611 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in student counseling will find them at University Of Houston Clear Lake, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a public institution. Early-career student counseling graduates from University Of Houston Clear Lake make a median of around $65,293 per year.
A rank of #3 makes Dallas Baptist University one of the highest-paying schools for student counseling. Set in the city of Dallas, Dallas Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career student counseling graduates from Dallas Baptist University make a median of around $62,400 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in student counseling will find them at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a public institution. After graduating, student counseling degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American typically earn about $65,357 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in student counseling will find them at The University Of Texas At San Antonio, which ranked #5. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a public institution. Students who complete the student counseling program here go on to a median salary of roughly $60,048.
Texas A And M International University came in at #6 for student counseling graduate earnings this year. Texas A And M International University is a public school located in the city of Laredo. After graduating, student counseling degree recipients from Texas A And M International University typically earn about $67,350 annually.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #7 spot for student counseling salaries this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a public school located in the city of El Paso. After graduating, student counseling degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso typically earn about $59,803 annually.
Arizona State University came in at #8 for student counseling graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a public institution. Early-career student counseling graduates from Arizona State University make a median of around $68,536 per year.
Texas Christian University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying student counseling schools. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the student counseling program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,029.
Texas Southern University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for student counseling. Located in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a public institution. After graduating, student counseling degree recipients from Texas Southern University typically earn about $57,667 annually.
Angelo State University landed the #11 spot for student counseling salaries this year. Located in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a public institution. Early-career student counseling graduates from Angelo State University make a median of around $57,863 per year.
Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio earned the #12 position for student counseling graduate earnings this year. Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. Early-career student counseling graduates from Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio make a median of around $57,562 per year.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University landed the #13 spot for student counseling salaries this year. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a public institution. Student Counseling graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of about $57,536 a year early in their careers.
University Of The Southwest landed the #14 spot for student counseling salaries this year. Set in the town of Hobbs, University Of The Southwest is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career student counseling graduates from University Of The Southwest make a median of around $59,414 per year.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for student counseling. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the student counseling program here go on to a median salary of roughly $64,381.
University Of Central Oklahoma came in at #16 for student counseling graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a public institution. After graduating, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Central Oklahoma typically earn about $58,395 annually.
Northern Arizona University earned the #17 position for student counseling graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a public institution. Student Counseling graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of about $58,371 a year early in their careers.
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for student counseling. Texas A And M University Commerce is a public school located in the town of Commerce. Early-career student counseling graduates from Texas A And M University Commerce make a median of around $65,235 per year.
East Central University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying student counseling schools. East Central University is a public school located in the town of Ada. Early-career student counseling graduates from East Central University make a median of around $55,485 per year.
Texas A And M University Kingsville landed the #20 spot for student counseling salaries this year. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a public institution. After graduating, student counseling degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville typically earn about $59,888 annually.
Texas Womans University landed the #21 spot for student counseling salaries this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a public institution. Early-career student counseling graduates from Texas Womans University make a median of around $56,488 per year.
University Of North Texas landed the #22 spot for student counseling salaries this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a public institution. Early-career student counseling graduates from University Of North Texas make a median of around $56,341 per year.
University Of Houston ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying student counseling schools. University Of Houston is a public school located in the city of Houston. After graduating, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Houston typically earn about $63,159 annually.
New Mexico Highlands University placed #24 among the highest-paying schools for student counseling. Located in the town of Las Vegas, New Mexico Highlands University is a public institution. Early-career student counseling graduates from New Mexico Highlands University make a median of around $55,437 per year.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earned the #25 position for student counseling graduate earnings this year. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. After graduating, student counseling degree recipients from Texas A And M University Corpus Christi typically earn about $54,812 annually.
These schools also send student counseling graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
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 · 29 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.